March 29, 2002

WSU Coach Bill Wilkinson Finalist
For National Coach of the Year

Detroit – Wayne State University men’s hockey coach Bill Wilkinson has been named one of 14 finalists for the 2002 Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the nation’s top coach by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA).

The finalists are comprised of the top vote-getters in conference Coach of the Year balloting and NCAA Frozen Four semifinalists.

Wilkinson, in his third year as head coach at WSU, led the Warriors to the College Hockey America regular-season title with a 15-2-3 league record and the CHA Tournament championship. He also was voted CHA Coach of the Year by his peers.

Since starting the Warrior hockey program three years ago, Wilkinson has compiled a 51-41-9 record including one CHA regular-season title and two CHA playoff titles. His overall coaching record stands at 364-342-62, which places him tied-for-31st on the NCAA All-Time win list.

This year’s nomination marks the third time Wilkinson has been a finalist for national Coach of the Year honors.

2002 Spencer Penrose Award finalists:
Bill Wilkinson – Wayne State
Red Berenson – Michigan
Guy Gadowsky – Alaska Fairbanks
George Gwozdecky*– Denver
John Hill– Alaska Anchorage
Don Lucia*– Minnesota
Jack Parker**– Boston University
Paul Pearl– Holy Cross
Rand Pecknold– Quinnipiac
Mike Schafer– Cornell
Tom Serratore– Bemidji State
Dick Umile*– New Hampshire
Don Vaughan– Colgate
Tim Whitehead– Maine

*Former winner
**Two-time winner