Serratore Ready To 'Pass The Torch' After 26th Season Leading BSU Men’s Hockey | Lakeland News

What was an announcement that sent the college hockey world into a frenzy? BSU men's hockey coach Tom Serratore will retire at the end of this upcoming season. Today, we got to sit down with the head man ahead of his 26th and final year behind the bench to learn more about what's in store for him and the future of Beaver Hockey. >> It's only been 24 hours since Bemidji State men's hockey coach Tom Serratore announced his intentions to retire after the season, and it's been an emotional whirlwind ever since. >> You know, I was nervous that uh you know, I lose my composure in front of the team. Again, I didn't. And then we had an alumni call as well at 4:30, and pretty good. I had a couple I got choked up a little bit, but uh very emotional day, but it was a great day. It was a great day to just really honestly to connect with a lot of the alumni and a lot of guys that played for me in the past. >> His successor was also part of the announcement. Longtime associate head coach Travis Winter will take over at the helm at the conclusion of this season. >> I've had probably five players since I've been coaching that you sit there and say coaching material. They got it. Um and Travis had that immediately. He's been ready for this for a while. I mean, he was on the World Junior staff last year. He's had a lot of success with us since he's been the associate head coach. And um he's a Beaver. He knows the expectations. He knows the values of the program. And knowing that Travis was going to you know, what be the next guy in line, it just again, it made my decision a lot easier. >> Winter's succession parallels Serratore's rise to the top. Serratore played for legendary Beaver's bench boss R. H. Bob Peters in the '80s and would later coach alongside him before being hand-selected by Peters himself in 2001 to take over as head coach. >> Coach used the term, you know, when when he retired, I became the head coach, I passed the torch. And um we're passing the torch to Travis, the baton. But you wanted you want to make sure, too. Um it's not charity. They've earned it. And you want to make sure it's the right person, and he was the right person. >> The decision was also made with recruiting in mind to create a seamless transition that preserves the program. >> We have kids who are committed. Um I don't want to do this in March and potentially lose those kids. We want to do it right now because they know who who the heir apparent is right now. Um that person actually did a lot of the recruiting with them. So, you know, we have that intact. Secondly, I don't want to bring recruits in right now and tell you know, and they're going to ask me if I'm going to be around. What am I going to be I don't want to be disingenuous and say I'm going to be around if I know I'm going to if I'm going to retire. So, that was another factor. Another factor is too, um I want those players in the locker room right now to look at Travis when he is talking and they they know that, but he's going to be their head coach. Talking to the underclassmen right there. He's going to be their head coach. I think that's important. And lastly, I want to enjoy this last year, you know, with those players in that locker room. I want to make sure that there's total transparency and um they understand the ground rules as well. >> Heading into his 26th and final year as head coach, Serratore has amassed 416 wins, has a combined 10 regular season and conference tournament titles, is an eight-time conference coach of the year, led the Beavers to six NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the Frozen Four in 2009, but still says his favorite part of coaching is his relationships with the players. >> And I know that's kind of the easy thing, but it is. It they keep you young. I've been in a locker room my whole life since I've been 6 years old. But once I was done playing, I was coaching. So, I've never left. You know, you I reflect back and I'm sitting here saying, "How many guys would like to be in my shoes?" And I forget about that. I'm a I'm a lucky guy. >> With the changing landscape of college athletics, the idea of a tenured coach is slowly becoming a thing of the past. But even Serratore wasn't sure he'd be where he is now. >> It is it's weird. I mean, now when I think about this, holy moly, did it go fast. But no, I never thought I never thought about 25 or 26 years. Quite honestly, I I got too far ahead of myself. And I don't think you can in this business. It's a humbling profession. And if if you get too far ahead of yourself, you're going to get punched in the nose. So, I never looked at it that way, but it is hey uh I'd be lying to sit there and say as soon as I got to close to 20 years, I saw that I'm going, "Holy moly." And you know what? It's then it's something you're proud of. You know, you're at one place for a long time. Um you know, I I I wore the you know, the these colors with pride, the green and white. >> As to what his plans are when the season ends, Sartori hasn't given it too much thought yet, but there is one thing he's certain of. >> I love hockey, and I love Beaver hockey. And it's always going to be close to my heart. And when I'm done this year, it'll be 32 years of my life as a coach, as a player, living in and playing for being being affiliated with the Beavers, I should say. 32 years. I'm 62. So, that's over 50% of my life right there. So, you know, it's going to be a big part when I'm done, too. >> I tell you, it was really great to sit down with coach and kind of hear from him, but he's still got a full season to coach. So, it's not exactly goodbye yet, but really cool to hear some of that stuff and about future coach Travis Winter. >> Yeah, leaving a lasting legacy, for sure. What a What a career he's had there in charge. >> Yeah, absolutely. I mean, and to take over for our ex Bob Peters as well, who had a historic career also. We'll also have that full interview up sometime in the next day or two, so you can watch it when you get a chance. >> Sports on Lakeland News is sponsored in part by Paul Bunyan Communications, powered by the GigaZone, one of the largest all-fiber optic gigabit networks in the country with internet speeds up to 10 gig. Lakeland News is a nonprofit news organization. Donate to Lakeland PBS today to support your local news team.