KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Western Michigan University (WMU) Hockey Coach Andy Murray announced Tuesday that he will be stepping down from his position after serving the Broncos for ten years.
According to the announcement, Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard has promoted Bronco hockey alum Pat Ferschweiler as the seventh head hockey coach in WMU history.
Murray’s statement can be viewed in full below:
“The announcement that I am resigning and Pat Ferschweiler is moving into the role as head coach is one that I felt was necessary. The last 10 years at WMU have been as rewarding as anything I have done in my life. I am in great health and full of energy, so this is not a retirement. I still have a number of things on my bucket list and now is the time to pursue those.
My goal has always been to have our program in great shape when I did decide to move on. We are in that position right now and the transition to Pat will be smooth and well-received by our present players and alumni. He is a Bronco and is well prepared.
I have always considered my position at Western to be a privilege and responsibility and gave my best every day. I want to thank everyone for the opportunity I have enjoyed and look forward to being a Bronco in a different way. Go Broncos!”
Among other accomplishments during his time with the Broncos, officials say Murray was named the 2016-17 NCHC Coach of the Year, which came after leading his team to a top four finish in the league, rebounding from a seventh-place finish the previous season.
Meanwhile, Ferschweiler, WMU’s associate head coach since 2019, issued a statement about his new promotion.
“I am honored and humbled to be the next head coach of the Western Michigan hockey program,” Ferschweiler said. “I want to thank (Western Michigan) President Montgomery, Athletics Director Kathy Beauregard and Deputy Athletics Director Jeff Stone for trusting me to lead this program.”
Ferschweiler also thanked Murray for his time with the team.
“Coach Murray has given everything he has to this program for the last 11 years and has left it in a better place,” Ferschweiler said. “I would like to thank him for his friendship and leadership through our time together. I also wish him all the best in whatever challenge he takes on next. We have a tremendous group of players on this team and I’m very excited to get started as their head coach.”
The Broncos open the 2021-22 campaign with the annual Brown & Gold Game at Lawson Arena on Saturday, October 2.
The regular season opens on Friday, October 8, when Ferris State visits Lawson for the first of a home-and-home series.
Season ticket deposits are now being accepted at WMUBroncos.com/tickets.
