July 8, 2011
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Alaska Extends Ferguson Through 2016
CHN Staff Report
Dallas Ferguson (photo: Thomas Linkous)
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Amid great uncertainty over its future, Alaska has extended the contract of coach Dallas Ferguson through 2016.
"Over the past seven years, Dallas has provided Nanook hockey with integrity, stability and exceptional coaching," athletic director Forrest Karr said. "He has a unique ability to reach student-athletes. They respond in the classroom and on the ice."
Alaska will be left among five teams in the CCHA if things go as it appears. At 11 teams to start this season, the three Big Ten schools will depart in two years. And there will soon be an official announcement that at least two more are leaving — Miami and Notre Dame — and possibly a third in Western Michigan.
"I'm very grateful for commitment the University of Alaska Fairbanks and athletic director Forrest Karr have shown to me by offering me an extension of my contract,” said Ferguson. “Nanook Hockey has fostered such an incredible relationship between UAF, fans and the community of Fairbanks. This relationship is why UAF is such a great place to be a part of college hockey."
A former Nanook defenseman and team captain, Ferguson has guided the program to new heights in just three seasons at the helm. After leading the team to a fourth place finish in the CCHA and capturing the league's Coach of the Year award in 2008-09, he took the Nanooks to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history in 2009-10.
Under Ferguson, the Nanooks are averaging 17 wins a season (more than any of his seven predecessors) and have hosted and won three consecutive CCHA home playoff series.
"I'm very proud of what our student-athletes have accomplish on and off the ice and how they represent UAF and the community of Fairbanks.,” Ferguson added. “As we move forward we will strive to get better every day and to make all of Fairbanks proud of their college hockey program. I believe in what Nanook Hockey represents and I'm extremely confident in the experience we provide our student-athletes on and off the ice.