Mercyhurst University Athletics

Mercyhurst Director of Athletics Pete Russo has announced the hiring of Craig Barnett as Associate Director of Athletics. Barnett returns to Mercyhurst after working as the assistant men[apos]s hockey coach and as the Mercyhurst Ice Center Director from 1991-93. Most recently, Barnett has been the Director of Athletics at NCAA Division III Becker College in Worcester, Mass., where he also worked as the men[apos]s hockey coach, currently playing in its first season. Barnett was instrumental in starting football and men[apos]s and women[apos]s lacrosse programs at the school, while renovating the gym and signing a contract to have the school[apos]s natural grass fields replaced by turf. [quote]We have a lot of exciting things going at Becker,[quote] Barnett said. [quote]But this is home for my family. My wife and I met and got married on Mercyhurst[apos]s campus.[quote] Barnett has a strong background in both athletic administration and hockey. He played two years in the New York Ranger organization before moving to Mercyhurst. After spending two years with the Lakers, he went to Kent State where he assisted the men[apos]s hockey team and received his master[apos]s degree in Sports Administration. After receiving his master[apos]s, Barnett took over the hockey program at Findlay in 1995, moving the program from club status, to NCAA Division III and eventually to NCAA Division I during his eight years at the helm. He then decided to look for experience in athletic administration and moved to a preparatory school, Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Ill. in 2002. That job was a springboard to his position at Becker College. Barnett, a native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, received his bachelor[apos]s degree in marketing from Plattsburgh State (N.Y.) in 1989. He has a wife, Andrea, and the couple has three children - Olivia, Braeden, and Jace.