The Oswego State women’s hockey team are five games into the regular season and have shown improvement as a team as the season continues. One person that has played a part in this is new associate head coach, Mark Digby. 

Before coaching at Oswego State, Digby played hockey for over 20 years. This includes four years of playing for The College at Brockport, from 2001-2005, where he played in over 90 games for the Golden Eagles after graduating from Fulton High School.

Digby began his coaching career by coaching with the boy’s hockey team at Brockport High School. After that he soon became an assistant coach for The College at Brockport men’s hockey team, a position he held from 2006-2010. During his time at The College at Brockport, Digby worked with the defensive and power play units. This resulted in a huge statistical improvement for the Golden Eagles. Digby also helped organize conditioning programs and develop different practice plans for the Golden Eagles.

After four seasons with The College at Brockport, Digby was given the opportunity to coach at Oswego State where his impact on the team was immediate. In his first season with the Lakers he helped the team reach the NCAA Div. III Frozen Four. This would lead to three more Frozen Four appearances by Oswego State and reaching the national championship game twice. 

After his ninth season with the men’s team, Digby made the decision to join the Oswego State women’s team. Digby says he has always had an interest in coaching women’s hockey and was very excited when the team had an opening.

“It was a new opportunity for me,” Digby said. “A chance for a little bit of growth and to take on a little bit more. I thought it would be a fun opportunity to come in to try and help the team.”

Head coach Diane Dillon was very excited when she found out that Digby would be joining her staff. When you add the knowledge and love for the game that Digby has, it was a great fit from the start.

“He definitely brings a new perspective,” Dillon said. “He understands what Laker hockey is all about, [and he] is as passionate about Oswego as I am. [He has] understood and knows our history, where we have come from and where we want to go. I couldn’t be happier.”

Digby has been with the team for a few months and thrives on being steady with the way he coaches. Digby feels that is a key to his style of coaching and communication with all his players.

“From day one that I arrived here, at Oswego, I have been pretty consistent,” Digby said. “I think that when anyone does that it’s pretty easy to understand what you should expect from that person any day. I think that has carried over to the women’s team now. The players know that I am here to do whatever I can do to help the team.”

This has led to Digby keeping the same mindset when it comes to coaching as he did with the men’s team. Digby sees no difference when it comes to coaching the women’s team versus the men’s team.

“They all show up for the same reasons,” Digby said. “They want to get better and they want to win. The size of the team has been a little different. We’re a little smaller compared to the men’s team, but other than that, I don’t see any difference.”

This has helped Digby become accepted very fast as a coach by his new team. Junior Amber Thomas was very excited when she found out that Digby would be one of her coaches after she decided to transfer to Oswego State.

“He always sees the best in us and wants us to do the best we can,” Thomas said. “After finding out he was one of the assistant coaches with the men’s team it was really promising with all the success they have had.”

This season will be Digby’s 15th year coaching. Add that to the amount of success he had with Oswego State’s men’s team, a future as a head coach is definitely a real possibility. Whether it is with men’s or women’s hockey, Dillon sees him having success.

“He’s really hit the ground running and the players have responded well,” Dillon said. “He’s a hockey guy, has the right temperament and has a huge love for the game.”

When asked about how important it was to stay in Oswego, Digby responded by simply saying it was everything to him. Even though he is originally from Fulton, he hopes to stay in Oswego long-term. 

Getting the associate head coaching title will help Digby prepare more for the day he becomes a head coach. However, he also takes what he has learned from the past 14 years as a coach.

“More than anything you just learn how to treat people,” Digby said. “You learn how to be honest. Letting a player know you care about them and that you want them to get better.”

Photo by Casey Stone | The Oswegonian