LOWELL, Mass. -
Norm Bazin, who played at UMass Lowell from 1990-94 and served as an assistant coach from 1996-2000, was named the sixth head coach in the ice hockey program's history on this date, April 21, in 2013. He was introduced to the University and the community by UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Dana Skinner at a news conference at the UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center.
Bazin returned to the University after three years as the Head Coach at Hamilton College following eight seasons as an Assistant Coach at Colorado College. He was praised by then UMass Lowell Chancellor Martin T. Meehan, now the University of Massachusetts system President.
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Norm Bazin brings great passion not just for the hockey program, but for the University as well," said Meehan. "We believe he can recruit top-quality talent, develop that talent, and raise the bar of expectation at UMass Lowell. In addition, Norm's past experiences as a student and a coach demonstrate clearly that he places education at the center of the college experience."
Bazin grabbed the reins of a program which had struggled to a 5-25-4 record during the 2010-11 season and sounded optimistic on that April afternoon.
"UMass Lowell is my alma mater and it has a special place in my heart," Bazin said. "I think the long term potential for the program is the ability to compete for the three major championships," Bazin noted, referring to the Hockey East regular season, tournament and NCAA championships. "Secondly, I think we have a first class facility, a world-class university, a loyal fan base and a solid hockey foundation in terms of support from our administration and staff."
In the nine years that have followed that Bazin has led the hockey program to three Hockey East Tournament Championships, two Hockey East regular season titles, five trips to the NCAA Tournament and one visit to the Frozen Four. His teams have compiled a record of 205-110-32. His .637 winning percentage is fourth among active Division I coaches, second among Hockey East coaches and at the top of the UMass Lowell coaching list.
Bazin is a three-time Hockey East Coach of the Year and was named the 2013 Spencer Penrose Award winner as the Division I Coach of the Year.
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