HOLLAND COLLEGE HURRICANES FOOTBALL CLUB ANNOUNCES COACHING STAFF

Charlottetown, PE – The Holland College Hurricanes Football Club announced its coaching staff at a news conference this morning. Led by Head Coach Ian (Tex) MacDonald, the volunteer staff is comprised of locally and regionally recognized former football players and coaches.

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Coach MacDonald has a great deal of experience to bring to the job. For 12 years, he was coach for Colonel Gray in the Island High School League, and was head coach of the Island Construction Colonels for four years from 2003-2007, winning the championship on two occasions.

“The formation of the Holland College Football Club is a major development in athletics, and adds a new dimension to the college’s expanding presence in the community. The football team will greatly enhance student spirit, and weld the college and the community together as never before. I thank the Holland College Football Club for giving me the opportunity to take on this leadership role, and look forward to the coming season,” said MacDonald.

The coaching staff includes Neal Connaughton as defensive coordinator, and assistant coaches Sean Hickey, Ian MacDonald, Matt MacDonald, Aaron MacIsaac, and Ben Parsons.

Connaughton’s extensive playing experience is enhanced by his years as a coach, which includes working with the Coca Cola Classics, Island Construction Colonels (winners of three Potato Bowl Championships), the Cornwall Timberwolves, and the PEI Privateers, where he was 2008 All Star Defensive Coach. He has his Level 1 Coaching Certification and his Level 1 Referee Certification.

Sean Hickey was quarterback for Mount Allison University from 1990 to 1994. He was named the Atlantic University Athletic Association All Conference (Quarterback) in 1991 and 1992, and was the 1991 Vanier Cup offensive MVP. He has also been honoured as Atlantic Bowl MVP, Mount Allison Rookie of the Year, and Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year.

Ian MacDonald is a graduate of the PEI Tackle Football League, a three-time league all star and MVP in the Lobster Bowl game. He was team captain of the Island Construction Colonels when they won the Potato Bowl on two occasions. Ian has coached the Colonels as offensive coordinator for four years, and brings a wealth of youthful experience to the Hurricanes. Ian will be utilized as an offensive coach with some defensive duties and special teams assignments.

Matt MacDonald played five years as a wide receiver with the Mount Allison Mounties. He also played on special teams as a kick returner and pinned the ball on special teams. Matt has won numerous team awards while playing with the Mounties, and, as a graduate of the Mounties football program, views his five years as a learning experience second to none in the realm of college football. He has accumulated a lot of experience in many facets of the game. Matt has coached the Island Construction Colonels in the PEI Tackle Football League to two provincial championships. Matthew will be working with the offence, primarily with the receivers and special teams.

Aaron MacIsaac has 15 years of playing experience. He played left guard for the Saint Mary’s Huskies for three years, played for Team New Brunswick in the 1997 Canada Football Cup in Ottawa, where he started at right tackle, and played minor football and high school football in Moncton, N.B. He coached the offensive and defensive lines of the Summerside Cooke Clippers PEI Tackle Football team for the last three years, and was an assistant coach with the Moncton High Junior Knights (O-line and RB). He also coached men’s and woman’s high school rugby for three years at Woodstock High School and Tobique Valley Regional High in New Brunswick.

Ben Parsons played fullback at Mount Allison University for three years, running back and linebacker for the Island Construction Colonels, and fullback for the PEI Privateers. He coached the Island Construction Colonels in 2004 and 2005. The Island Construction Colonels won the Potato Bowl in 2004. Ben has a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and is currently working on his Certified Management Accountant designation.

Participation in the Holland College Hurricanes Football Club is open to players aged 18-24 as of December 31st, 2010, including Holland College students, UPEI students, and the broader Island community.

“Coach MacDonald has enlisted a very impressive corps of assistants who share his passion for the game and enthusiasm for competition. All of these gentlemen will be fine representatives of our college, our team and our community. The excitement continues to grow as we prepare for the 2010 football season,” said Holland College Vice President and President of the Hurricanes Football Club Michael O’Grady.

Coaching staff will be on hand at a mini-camp at the Stratford Indoor Soccer Complex on Saturday, April 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge to participate in the camp, which will consist of fitness testing and workout sessions. Prospective players will have their fitness level assessed and will be assigned a training program to follow throughout the summer. The fitness testing and training program will be provided by Holland College’s Sport and Leisure Management program. All players should be equipped with appropriate gear, including cleats.

“The mini-camp is the first step toward moulding a competitive football team for our inaugural season in the Atlantic Football League and honouring the long tradition of football on Prince Edward Island,” Coach MacDonald said.

The Atlantic Football League was established in 2009 with three teams: UNB (Fredericton) Red Bombers, UNBSJ Seawolves, and the Moncton Raiders. The Holland College Hurricanes and the Dalhousie University Bengals recently became the fourth and fifth entries in the league and will begin play in the 2010 season beginning in September.

For more information, e-mail [email][email protected], visit the website at [url]www.hollandcollege.com/football, or visit the Holland College Hurricanes Football Facebook fan page.

Holland College Hurricanes Football Club Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Ian (Tex) MacDonald has a BA and a B.Ed. from UPEI, as well as a master’s degree in Education from Acadia University. Tex has a great deal of experience as a head football coach. For 12 years, he was coach for Colonel Gray in the Island High School League, and was head coach of the Island Construction Colonels for four years from 2003-2007, winning the championship on two occasions. Tex is a life-long educator, primarily as a teacher and guidance counselor, and was Mayor of Charlottetown for two terms. Tex comes well equipped for the many and varied challenges facing the head coach of a new team. He is employed with the provincial government.

Defensive Coordinator: Neal Connaughton has been involved in football for more than 30 years. He was a defensive starter for the UPEI Panthers, was a two-year letterman for the Bridgewater State Bears (MA); and was an offensive and defensive starter for Northeast Conference Champions Saugus (MA) High School. He played with the PEI Privateers in 2008. His coaching experience includes working with the Coca Cola Classics, Island Construction Colonels (winners of three Potato Bowl Championships), the Cornwall Timberwolves, and the PEI Privateers, where he was the 2008 All Star Defensive Coach. He has his Level 1 Coaching Certification and his Level 1 Referee Certification.

Sean Hickey was quarterback for Mount Allison University from 1990 to 1994. He was named the Atlantic University Athletic Association All Conference (Quarterback) in 1991 and 1992, and was the 1991 Vanier Cup offensive MVP. He has also been honoured as Atlantic Bowl MVP, Mount Allison Rookie of the Year, and Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year. Sean has a B.Sc. from Mount Allison, a B.Eng. (Electrical Engineering) from the Technical University of N.S. (Dalhousie), and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He is employed with Wellington West Capital as an investment advisor.

Ian MacDonald is a graduate of the PEI Tackle Football League, a three-time league all star and MVP in the Lobster Bowl game. He was team captain of the Island Construction Colonels when they won the Potato Bowl on two occasions. Ian has coached the Colonels as offensive coordinator for four years, and brings a wealth of youthful experience to the Hurricanes. Ian will be utilized as an offensive coach with some defensive duties and special teams assignments. Ian graduated from UPEI with a Business Administration degree, and intends to further his education while at the same time volunteering with the Holland College Hurricanes Football program.

Matt MacDonald played five years as a wide receiver with the Mount Allison Mounties. He also played on special teams as a kick returner and pinned the ball on special teams. Matt has won numerous team awards while playing with the Mounties, and, as a graduate of the Mounties football program, views his five years as a learning experience second to none in the realm of college football. He has accumulated a lot of experience in many facets of the game. Matt has coached the Island Construction Colonels in the PEI Tackle Football League to two provincial championships. Matthew will be working with the offence, primarily with the receivers and special teams.

Aaron MacIsaac has 15 years of playing experience. He played left guard for the Saint Mary’s Huskies for three years, played for Team New Brunswick in the 1997 Canada Football Cup in Ottawa, where he started at right tackle, and played minor football and high school football in Moncton, N.B. He coached the offensive and defensive lines of the Summerside Cooke Clippers PEI Tackle Football team for the last three years, and was an assistant coach with the Moncton High Junior Knights (O-line and RB). He also coached men’s and woman’s high school rugby for three years at Woodstock High School and Tobique Valley Regional High in New Brunswick. Aaron has a B. Comm. in Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations and Finance from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, and is currently completing an MBA in Innovative Management from UPEI. He is employed with McCain Foods Canada in the Borden-Carleton processing facility as a shift supervisor.

Ben Parsons played fullback at Mount Allison University for three years, running back and linebacker for the Island Construction Colonels and fullback for the PEI Privateers. He coached the Island Construction Colonels in 2004 and 2005. The Island Construction Colonels won the Potato Bowl in 2004. Ben has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, and is currently working on his Certified Management Accountant designation. He is employed with Cogsdale Corporation, where he implements enterprise resource planning software.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Charlottetown, PE – The Holland College Hurricanes Football Club announced its coaching staff at a news conference this morning. Led by Head Coach Ian (Tex) MacDonald, the volunteer staff is comprised of locally and regionally recognized former football players and coaches.

Coach MacDonald has a great deal of experience to bring to the job. For 12 years, he was coach for Colonel Gray in the Island High School League, and was head coach of the Island Construction Colonels for four years from 2003-2007, winning the championship on two occasions.

“The formation of the Holland College Football Club is a major development in athletics, and adds a new dimension to the college’s expanding presence in the community. The football team will greatly enhance student spirit, and weld the college and the community together as never before. I thank the Holland College Football Club for giving me the opportunity to take on this leadership role, and look forward to the coming season,” said MacDonald.

The coaching staff includes Neal Connaughton as defensive coordinator, and assistant coaches Sean Hickey, Ian MacDonald, Matt MacDonald, Aaron MacIsaac, and Ben Parsons.

Connaughton’s extensive playing experience is enhanced by his years as a coach, which includes working with the Coca Cola Classics, Island Construction Colonels (winners of three Potato Bowl Championships), the Cornwall Timberwolves, and the PEI Privateers, where he was 2008 All Star Defensive Coach. He has his Level 1 Coaching Certification and his Level 1 Referee Certification.

Sean Hickey was quarterback for Mount Allison University from 1990 to 1994. He was named the Atlantic University Athletic Association All Conference (Quarterback) in 1991 and 1992, and was the 1991 Vanier Cup offensive MVP. He has also been honoured as Atlantic Bowl MVP, Mount Allison Rookie of the Year, and Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year.

Ian MacDonald is a graduate of the PEI Tackle Football League, a three-time league all star and MVP in the Lobster Bowl game. He was team captain of the Island Construction Colonels when they won the Potato Bowl on two occasions. Ian has coached the Colonels as offensive coordinator for four years, and brings a wealth of youthful experience to the Hurricanes. Ian will be utilized as an offensive coach with some defensive duties and special teams assignments.

Matt MacDonald played five years as a wide receiver with the Mount Allison Mounties. He also played on special teams as a kick returner and pinned the ball on special teams. Matt has won numerous team awards while playing with the Mounties, and, as a graduate of the Mounties football program, views his five years as a learning experience second to none in the realm of college football. He has accumulated a lot of experience in many facets of the game. Matt has coached the Island Construction Colonels in the PEI Tackle Football League to two provincial championships. Matthew will be working with the offence, primarily with the receivers and special teams.

Aaron MacIsaac has 15 years of playing experience. He played left guard for the Saint Mary’s Huskies for three years, played for Team New Brunswick in the 1997 Canada Football Cup in Ottawa, where he started at right tackle, and played minor football and high school football in Moncton, N.B. He coached the offensive and defensive lines of the Summerside Cooke Clippers PEI Tackle Football team for the last three years, and was an assistant coach with the Moncton High Junior Knights (O-line and RB). He also coached men’s and woman’s high school rugby for three years at Woodstock High School and Tobique Valley Regional High in New Brunswick.

Ben Parsons played fullback at Mount Allison University for three years, running back and linebacker for the Island Construction Colonels, and fullback for the PEI Privateers. He coached the Island Construction Colonels in 2004 and 2005. The Island Construction Colonels won the Potato Bowl in 2004. Ben has a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and is currently working on his Certified Management Accountant designation.

Participation in the Holland College Hurricanes Football Club is open to players aged 18-24 as of December 31st, 2010, including Holland College students, UPEI students, and the broader Island community.

“Coach MacDonald has enlisted a very impressive corps of assistants who share his passion for the game and enthusiasm for competition. All of these gentlemen will be fine representatives of our college, our team and our community. The excitement continues to grow as we prepare for the 2010 football season,” said Holland College Vice President and President of the Hurricanes Football Club Michael O’Grady.

Coaching staff will be on hand at a mini-camp at the Stratford Indoor Soccer Complex on Saturday, April 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. There is no charge to participate in the camp, which will consist of fitness testing and workout sessions. Prospective players will have their fitness level assessed and will be assigned a training program to follow throughout the summer. The fitness testing and training program will be provided by Holland College’s Sport and Leisure Management program. All players should be equipped with appropriate gear, including cleats.

“The mini-camp is the first step toward moulding a competitive football team for our inaugural season in the Atlantic Football League and honouring the long tradition of football on Prince Edward Island,” Coach MacDonald said.

The Atlantic Football League was established in 2009 with three teams: UNB (Fredericton) Red Bombers, UNBSJ Seawolves, and the Moncton Raiders. The Holland College Hurricanes and the Dalhousie University Bengals recently became the fourth and fifth entries in the league and will begin play in the 2010 season beginning in September.

For more information, e-mail [email][email protected], visit the website at [url]www.hollandcollege.com/football, or visit the Holland College Hurricanes Football Facebook fan page.

Holland College Hurricanes Football Club Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Ian (Tex) MacDonald has a BA and a B.Ed. from UPEI, as well as a master’s degree in Education from Acadia University. Tex has a great deal of experience as a head football coach. For 12 years, he was coach for Colonel Gray in the Island High School League, and was head coach of the Island Construction Colonels for four years from 2003-2007, winning the championship on two occasions. Tex is a life-long educator, primarily as a teacher and guidance counselor, and was Mayor of Charlottetown for two terms. Tex comes well equipped for the many and varied challenges facing the head coach of a new team. He is employed with the provincial government.

Defensive Coordinator: Neal Connaughton has been involved in football for more than 30 years. He was a defensive starter for the UPEI Panthers, was a two-year letterman for the Bridgewater State Bears (MA); and was an offensive and defensive starter for Northeast Conference Champions Saugus (MA) High School. He played with the PEI Privateers in 2008. His coaching experience includes working with the Coca Cola Classics, Island Construction Colonels (winners of three Potato Bowl Championships), the Cornwall Timberwolves, and the PEI Privateers, where he was the 2008 All Star Defensive Coach. He has his Level 1 Coaching Certification and his Level 1 Referee Certification.

Sean Hickey was quarterback for Mount Allison University from 1990 to 1994. He was named the Atlantic University Athletic Association All Conference (Quarterback) in 1991 and 1992, and was the 1991 Vanier Cup offensive MVP. He has also been honoured as Atlantic Bowl MVP, Mount Allison Rookie of the Year, and Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year. Sean has a B.Sc. from Mount Allison, a B.Eng. (Electrical Engineering) from the Technical University of N.S. (Dalhousie), and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He is employed with Wellington West Capital as an investment advisor.

Ian MacDonald is a graduate of the PEI Tackle Football League, a three-time league all star and MVP in the Lobster Bowl game. He was team captain of the Island Construction Colonels when they won the Potato Bowl on two occasions. Ian has coached the Colonels as offensive coordinator for four years, and brings a wealth of youthful experience to the Hurricanes. Ian will be utilized as an offensive coach with some defensive duties and special teams assignments. Ian graduated from UPEI with a Business Administration degree, and intends to further his education while at the same time volunteering with the Holland College Hurricanes Football program.

Matt MacDonald played five years as a wide receiver with the Mount Allison Mounties. He also played on special teams as a kick returner and pinned the ball on special teams. Matt has won numerous team awards while playing with the Mounties, and, as a graduate of the Mounties football program, views his five years as a learning experience second to none in the realm of college football. He has accumulated a lot of experience in many facets of the game. Matt has coached the Island Construction Colonels in the PEI Tackle Football League to two provincial championships. Matthew will be working with the offence, primarily with the receivers and special teams.

Aaron MacIsaac has 15 years of playing experience. He played left guard for the Saint Mary’s Huskies for three years, played for Team New Brunswick in the 1997 Canada Football Cup in Ottawa, where he started at right tackle, and played minor football and high school football in Moncton, N.B. He coached the offensive and defensive lines of the Summerside Cooke Clippers PEI Tackle Football team for the last three years, and was an assistant coach with the Moncton High Junior Knights (O-line and RB). He also coached men’s and woman’s high school rugby for three years at Woodstock High School and Tobique Valley Regional High in New Brunswick. Aaron has a B. Comm. in Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations and Finance from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, and is currently completing an MBA in Innovative Management from UPEI. He is employed with McCain Foods Canada in the Borden-Carleton processing facility as a shift supervisor.

Ben Parsons played fullback at Mount Allison University for three years, running back and linebacker for the Island Construction Colonels and fullback for the PEI Privateers. He coached the Island Construction Colonels in 2004 and 2005. The Island Construction Colonels won the Potato Bowl in 2004. Ben has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, and is currently working on his Certified Management Accountant designation. He is employed with Cogsdale Corporation, where he implements enterprise resource planning software.