Chico Adrahtas to head Robert Morris Gold!
Chicago, IL - Robert Morris College Athletic Director Megan Smith Eggert announced the appointment of long-time Chicago-area hockey figure Tom "Chico" Adrahtas as the new head coach of the Robert Morris College Gold Men's Hockey team.
As the head coach for the Danville Wings Junior A hockey program from 2001-2004 he compiled a overall record of 70-54-17 at the highest level of American Junior Hockey. Twenty-one of his players received scholarships to NCAA Division I institutions while four were drafted by National Hockey League teams.
Before coaching the Wings, Chico was a head coach for the highly respected Team Illinois AAA program, winning Midget Major National Championships in 1994 & 1997. He also posted national runners-up in 1996 & 1998. During that period his teams also won eight Illinois State Championships, garnering seven Central District Championships as well as multiple Toronto St. Michael's Showcase Championships and Michigan National Hockey League Championships.
Chico has served as the Director of Hockey for the Chicago Mission AAA program since 2004. Under his direction, the Mission has won 18 state championships at various age-group levels.
In addition to this impressive coaching resume, he is also well known for founding the Midwest Goalie School. Since 1981 it has been one of the most popular goaltending schools in the country.
A man of diverse interests, the newest Eagle head coach is also the author of two biographies. One is Glenn Hall: The Man They Call Mr. Goalie, the authorized life story of the eleven-time NHL All-Star goaltender. The other is the controversial, best-selling biography of Motown star Diana Ross, A Lifetime to Get Here, Diana Ross: The American Dreamgirl.
"We could not be more pleased to have a coach of Chico's stature joining our organization," said RMC Director of Hockey Operations Tom Wendlandt. "There is no doubt in our minds that he will bring a new level of competitive spirit to our program. As a proven winner, he will immediately boost our efforts to be annual contenders for the national title."
Coach Adrahtas is ready to begin work immediately. "This opportunity is a challenge I am really looking forward to," he said. "Robert Morris is a program that is hungry to take a step towards a championship, and I am confident that I can help in that journey."
He noted that he especially looking forward to working with his new cadre of student-athletes: "Throughout my career, I have tried to make sure that my players enjoy practices so much they have no idea how hard they are working. When you set that sort of priority, improvement and development become natural by-products."
"I have been very fortunate to have been in a position to have coached in seven National Championship contests," he added. "Having coached National Champions, I can state that the thrill of the moment you are crowned a champion is unforgettable. That's something I want our Robert Morris athletes to experience."
Coach Adrahtas takes over for Jim Sanchez, who assume the reins of the new RMC Peoria Men's Hockey program after coaching the White, Maroon, and Gold teams in Chicago.
Rick Cazares, the assistant coach of the Maroon team last season, will move up to the Gold as Chico's assistant. Rick played for Chico during his junior hockey tenure and also works with him at the Midwest Goalie School. Coach Bud Hickey will continue to mentor the Maroon after leading them to a 21-12-2-2 record. His charges put together a twelve-game winning streak that included weekend sweeps of the University of Illinois and Illinois State University ACHA Division II teams.
Robert Morris is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and competes in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Eagles field teams in twenty-one men's and women's sports. The College also belongs to the Unites States Bowling Congress-Collegiate Division, the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, and the United Dance Association.
The College is a private, not-for-profit, associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree-granting institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Over 6500 students pursuing an education that meets the demands of today's business, graphic arts, health care, culinary, and technical worlds are served at the College's main campus in Chicago as well as at locations in DuPage, Orland Park, Bensenville, Springfield, Peoria and Lake County.
Robert Morris College admits students of any race, color, sex, national origin, or with any handicap to all the rights, privileges and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Robert Morris College. The College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, national origin or students with disabilities in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, loan programs, career services, housing, and school administered programs.