After the first period whistle blew, the Hamilton College Men's Ice Hockey Team dropped the rivalry with Middlebury College for a short 10 minute break when both teams, all coaches and all fans in attendance honored former Hamilton Ice Hockey Coach Phil Grady. After a 24 year career at Hamilton College, Phil Grady announced his retirement in 2008 after successfully winning his 300th career win and becoming the 17th Coach in NCAA Division III history to reach the milestone.
Following a victorious win in overtime versus Williams College on Friday, February 20, the Hamilton Men's Ice Hockey team faced Middlebury College for a Saturday afternoon game at Sage Rink on February 21. Between the first and second period, Dennis Williams '92 honored Coach Grady with a proclamation celebrating Grady's 24 year career at Hamilton and naming him an honorary Hamilton Varsity athletic letter winner. Joined by Acting President and Dean of Faculty Joe Urgo, Athletics Director Jon Hind '80 and his sons, Brian '00 and Kevin Grady, Phil was saluted by the current players, the Middlebury players and coaches, ice hockey officials, and a crowded arena with Hamilton alumni, parents and friends.
Grady's family and friends gathered at Skenandoah Country Club in Clinton, New York for a dinner reception celebrating his retirement following the Middlebury game. A crowd of 130 alumni, parents, coaches and friends gathered for the reception, which included remarks by Urgo, Hind, and an informal roast from some of Grady's closest friends and families.
The weekend-long celebration concluded with an alumni game hosted by current coach Norm Bazin. Over 20 alumni joined Bazin on the ice at Sage, including all-time leading scorer, Mike "Sparky" Marta '84.
Grady continues to be involved at Hamilton College and is currently serving in the capacity of Special Assistant to the Athletics Director.
