J. Thom Lawler Arena - Merrimack College
The most recent renovations to Lawler Arena were completed in January 2011 when chairback seating was installed throughout the arena. The new configuration allows for a more comfortable viewing experience along wtih a dedicated student section at the north end that proves imposing to visiting Hockey East teams and all who enter Lawler Arena.
LAWLER ARENA
Home to:
Merrimack College Hockey
MIAA IA Hockey Tournament
Middlesex Islanders
Valley Hockey Youth Leagues
Capacity:
2,489
Most Recently Renovated:
2011
Sellouts in 2010-11:
10
Average Student Attendance:
621
Thanks to the efforts of three
Merrimack alumni- John Donovan ’78, Ron Connors ’78,
and Ken Duane ’80 - the Merrimack College hockey rink is now
called the J. Thom Lawler Arena. The Merrimack alumni issued a
challenge in September, 2001 and proudly announced at the end of
the 2002-2003 season that the challenge was a success and raised a
sum of $1.2 million to name the rink after their former coach. The
rink dedication took place on October 25, 2003 with a special
ceremony on the night of the Warriors’ home game against
Hockey East rival Providence College. The entire building, which
also houses the gymnasium, weight room, locker rooms and athletic
department offices, remains as the S. Peter Volpe Athletic
Center.
Thanking all those who made the challenge a success, Donovan said,
"There will not be a more poignant day in the history of Merrimack
College hockey than the opening night of the 2003-2004 season in
the J. Thom Lawler Arena. Thom gave his time, energy and life to
Merrimack hockey. He was a real champion to his family, players,
staff and friends of Merrimack hockey and now his name will live on
forever."
Lawler, a Merrimack Hall of Fame member, coached the Warriors for
13 seasons from the 1965-1978, until his sudden death at the age of
44. Lawler compiled a 218-138-10 record at Merrimack.
Lawler’s .609 winning percentage remains the best in the
history of Merrimack hockey. Lawler coached the Warriors to the
program’s only National Championship in 1978 and also guided
them to three championships in the prestigious ECAC while making 11
playoff appearances. Lawler also spent nine years as Athletic
Director. Commenting at the time of the National Championship,
Lawler noted, "I’ve been in sports since 1956 and I’ve
had some great moments, but this is really something special.
Winning the ECAC titles was great, but national competition like
this is a little bit different," (Lawrence Eagle-Tribune,
6/12/78).
Lawler’s teams made the playoffs in all but one year while
he was at the helm, and besides winning the ECAC titles, his team
was runner-up four times. In what is a perhaps true sign of
Lawler’s appeal, the year after the Warriors captured the
National Championship, a total of 111 players attended tryouts on
the North Andover campus.
Lawler died of a heart attack at the age of 44 on Sunday June 11,
1978, only months after leading the Warriors to their only National
Title. Lawler’s son, Thom, was a freshman on that team and
went on to become Captain in the 1980-81 season. Then
vice-president of development Bob Hatem had this to say about Coach
Lawler, "Thom Lawler did something with the small school athletic
program which brought us national attention. I think the man truly
represented what sports are supposed to do." Mike Reynolds, a
player under Lawler added, "He helped me as a hockey player and as
a person. I put 100 percent because I loved the man. He was
great."
Two of his peers, Brendan Sheehy, an assistant under Lawler for
five years, and Jim Logue, who worked at the time with the
goaltenders, both commented on Lawler, referencing his work ethic
and personality. "He wasn’t outwardly emotional. He kept a
lot inside him. Yet he was a very intense person. The hockey team
was his life. He was very jubilant when they won and he took the
losses very hard, although he wouldn’t blame them on anyone
but himself." Logue noted Lawler’s duties as Athletic
Director, "Not many people realize what Thom had to do as A.D. He
was a tremendous Athletic Director. He was just as worried about
intramural hockey and basketball as much as he was worried about
how lacrosse and soccer went," (Lawrence Eagle Tribune,
6/12/78).
Lawler, who was a veteran of the Korean War, was a native of Rome,
N.Y. and a 1960 graduate of St. Lawrence University. At St.
Lawrence he participated in two national championship games as a
member of the hockey team and was named MVP of the baseball team.
After his college graduation, Lawler coached football, baseball,
and basketball at Madrid-Waddington Central school then spent four
years at Canton Central (N.Y.) before arriving at Merrimack in
1965. While at Canton, his baseball and hockey teams were involved
in championship play for three years in the 1960s. (Lawrence
Eagle-Tribune, 12/17/78).
October 25th was a special night that will not soon be forgotten.
Donovan and Connors were on the ice along with Lawler family
members prior to the game for a ceremonial puck drop. Between
periods, they were joined on the ice by Merrimack president Richard
J. Santagati and 21 members of the 1978 National Championship Team.
"All of us players here tonight and the fans are better off for
knowing him," stated Donovan. "We all remember Thom as a shining
example of family, teamwork, unselfishness, and commitment." By
this dedication of the rink, Lawler’s memory will be forever
etched in the history of not only Merrimack hockey, but the entire
Merrimack campus.
