Selected quotes from Monday’s Press Conference, as the Pioneers introduced new head hockey coach Jim Montgomery:
Chancellor Robert Coombe quote:
“Let me start by saying how proud we are of athletics here at the University of Denver, and of all of our athletics programs. We are characterized by three things: uncompromising integrity, a focus on our students, our student athletes tend to excel academically, and they tend to graduate at a better rate than the rest of the student population, and, of course, competing at the highest level. We are proud of all of those things, and the leader of our organization is Vice Chancellor Peg Bradley-Doppes.”
Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes quotes:
“Today we welcome to the Pioneer family one of the nation’s top hockey coaches. The University of Denver is very proud that we have been able to secure Jim Montgomery from a group of outstanding candidates.”
“If you look at his accomplishments as a player, coach, administrator and general manager, it’s easy to see why he is a great fit for our program.”
Jim Montgomery quotes:
“It’s a tremendous honor for me to join the Pioneer family, and to lead DU hockey with its illustrious, historic tradition. I want to thank Chancellor Robert Coombe and Vice Chancellor Peg Bradley-Doppes, for allowing me the opportunity to lead this fantastic program.”
“It is my goal to ensure that our program honors, and builds upon, the DU brand and the outstanding legacy of DU hockey. What makes this job one of the best in the country is not only the caliber of student-athletes you are able to attract, but the institution you are able to represent. The University of Denver is synonymous with academic excellence, integrity and a spirit of giving back to the community it calls home. I want to end my comments by saying to the Pioneer nation: students, faculty, staff, alumni, athletic patrons and friends of the University, I will do everything in my power to make you proud to be associated with the DU hockey program.”
On his time with in the USHL:
“[I moved to the USHL] because I wanted the challenge of creating my own culture. We started from scratch. When I got to the Fighting Saints on April 1, 2010, we didn’t have any hockey players. By Sept. 5 we had 23. It was about creating a team-first attitude and getting everybody to work together, from auxiliary staff, to assistant coaches, to players. [At Denver] our team will execute with a tremendous amount of effort…We are going to be a puck-pressure team that is going to be extremely exciting to watch, and I think the style will be a lot of fun for our players to play.”
