Jan. 28, 2004

Don Vaughan, who is currently serving as interim athletics director at Colgate University, has announced that he will return to his previous position as head coach of the men's ice hockey team for the 2004-05 season.

He will continue to serve as interim athletics director until the University completes its current search for a director of the Division of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics.

"This has and continues to be a great opportunity for me both personally and professionally," said Vaughan. "The experience I have gained from serving as the Interim AD is something that will help me for years to come. I am grateful to President Chopp and Dean Dovidio for the confidence they showed in me when they asked me to step in and serve in this capacity.

"After thinking it through and consulting with a number of people over the past two months I have decided that I will not be a candidate for the full time Athletics Director position at Colgate University. I plan to return to my duties as the head hockey coach beginning July 1st 2004. In short, I am following my passion. I continue to have a strong desire to coach and work with student athletes on a regular basis. I look forward to getting back on the ice with the hockey team and working under the new scholarship model that Colgate has adopted."

"At a time when Colgate had a real need for a director of athletics, Don Vaughan stepped in and has been managing that important division with the skill of a seasoned administrator," said Colgate President Rebecca Chopp. "But Don has told us that his heart is with his team and we respect the desire of a dedicated and talented coach to get back behind the bench as soon as possible.

Associate men's ice hockey coach Stan Moore, who is handling the coaching duties this winter, will return to his previous duties for the Raider program.

"I also want to recognize that Don could not be serving Colgate as interim director of athletics were it not for the willingness of his associate coach, Stan Moore, to take over Don's coaching responsibilities. Stan is doing an excellent job, as the Raiders' record shows."

"Stan Moore has done a great job stepping in as interim head hockey coach and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead," Vaughan said.