October 8, 2023
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor (@CHN_AdamWodon)
(photo: Colgate University)
Don Vaughan stepped down as Colgate’s head coach after 30 years, right after the conclusion of a season that saw him win his first ECAC Tournament championship, finally, after many close calls.
There was a lot of competition for the job. But getting picked above the rest was Mike Harder, the school’s all-time leading scorer, and a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 1997.
CHN: Going back to your alma mater has to be a pretty big deal, especially when there’s so many Colgate alums out there who are coaching right now.
Harder: It’s definitely an honor, there’s no doubt. There’s a lot to be said about a lot of the Colgate guys that are in coaching and scouting right now. It just goes to the tradition that Coach Vaughan built here. I think one of his mentors was Coach (Joe) Marsh over in St. Lawrence and the ton of St. Lawrence guys in the hockey coaching world. And that’s because when a head coach can instill the fun and create this culture of family, I think people want to stay in the game and do some things. And that’s exactly what Coach Vaughan did for me and a lot of guys before me. So yeah, I’m thrilled to be back.
CHN: I’ve been doing this over 30 years now, and it’s not a full time thing, unfortunately, but the reason why I spend so much time working on it and I’ve been around college hockey for so long is because of the people — and Don Vaughn and Joe Marsh are probably two of the biggest examples of that for me. So I know what you mean.
Harder: And they’re just great guys to be around too. They just want to be in their orbit. And that’s just what I love.
For much more with Mike Harder, check out our Podcast.
CHN: Yeah. And now I feel old because all those guys are moving on and all the all the guys I saw play are becoming coaches now. But I go way back and remember a playoff series you had at Cornell, and I was there, and sorry to bring up a bad memory because you guys lost that series, but my biggest memory was that the Lynah crowd had some pretty inventive chants they were throwing your way that year, and, well, I’m not going to repeat them.
Harder: No, no, you don’t want to get cancelled, Adam.
CHN: But that whole atmosphere, though, you had some big rivalry moments with them. They got you in that one, but I’m sure there were others where you got them so. What’s it like…
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