J. Thom Lawler

J. Thom Lawler was an American ice hockey player and coach who won the inaugural NCAA Division II national championship in 1978 with Merrimack.

J. Thom Lawler
Biographical details
BornRome, New York, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 1978 (age 44)
Alma materSt. Lawrence University
Playing career
1957–1960St. Lawrence
Position(s)Left Wing
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1960–1961Canton Central HS
1961–1965Madrid–Waddington CS
1965–1978Merrimack
Head coaching record
Overall218-138-10 (.609)
Tournaments2–0
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1967 ECAC 2 Tournament Champion
1968 ECAC 2 Champion
1968 ECAC 2 Tournament Champion
1969 ECAC 2 Champion
1975 ECAC 2 Champion
1976 ECAC 2 Champion
1977 ECAC 2 Champion
1977 ECAC 2 Tournament Champion
1978 NCAA National Championship

Career

A veteran of the Korean War,[1] Lawler played three seasons at St. Lawrence during their heyday under George Menard. Lawler helped the Saints to back-to-back Tri-State League championships in 1959 and 1960 receiving the top eastern seed both years. While Lawler's team fell just short in his junior season with two overtime losses in the 1959 NCAA Tournament they fell flat in their return the following year, losing in the semifinal to Michigan Tech 3–13.

Several years after graduating, Lawler was given an opportunity to coach Merrimack when former head coach Ron Ryan left after one season behind the bench. Lawler's first season ended with a poor 8–10–1 record but the following season saw the Warriors finish 4th in the ECAC 2 and qualify for the first tournament in conference history. After dropping league champion Norwich 12–3 in the semifinal the Warriors defeated Colby 6–4 to capture their first conference championship. Lawler's team repeated as champions the following year while also claiming their first regular season title, going 12–1 in conference play. After winning a second league title in 1969 Merrimack declined for a couple years before building back up into a conference powerhouse. for three consecutive years from 1975 through 1977 Merrimack won the ECAC 2 regular season title, going 63–8–2 over those three seasons and were finally able to win their third conference championship in 1977. The NCAA instituted a Division II national championship for the 1977-78 season and Merrimack responded by finishing second in the conference. The Warriors fell in the ECAC II title game to Bowdoin, however, because university policy prohibited Bowdoin from participating in national tournaments[2] Merrimack was invited to take place in the tournament as the ECAC East representative.

Lawler's team opened against Mankato State and won the game fairly easily (6–1). In the championship game they faced off against Lake Forest and completely took over the game, eventually winning by a score of 12–2.

Unfortunately two months after the tournament Lawler suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 44.

After his untimely death Lawler was honored for his accomplishments. Merrimack renamed their home rink in his honor and began awarding alumni the J. Thom Lawler Award for their contributions to the ice hockey program.[3] The NCAA also confers an annual J. Thom Lawler award to the Division II or III player from New England for their commitment to their program, university and community.[4] in 1995 he was inducted in the Rome, New York sports hall of fame.[5]

Personal life

Lawler's son, Tom Lawler, was a freshman at Merrimack when J. Thom died. He completed his four years at the college, finishing second in career points (he sits 4th as of 2018) and captaining the team in his senior season.

Head coaching record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Merrimack Warriors (ECAC 2) (1965–1978)
1965-66 Merrimack 8-10-15-5-14th
1966-67 Merrimack 13-9-019-3-04thECAC 2 Champion
1967-68 Merrimack 18-8-012-1-01stECAC 2 Champion
1968-69 Merrimack 8-13-07-3-01stECAC 2 Semifinal
1969-70 Merrimack 13-13-09-5-04thECAC 2 Semifinal
1971-72 Merrimack 12-16-18-7-113th
1971-72 Merrimack 16-9-013-5-05thECAC 2 Semifinal
1972-73 Merrimack 18-12-214-6-14thECAC 2 Semifinal
1973-74 Merrimack 21-13-215-6-25thECAC 2 Runner-Up
1974-75 Merrimack 23-8-122-3-11stECAC 2 Semifinal
1975-76 Merrimack 24-7-021-3-01stECAC 2 Runner-Up
1976-77 Merrimack 23-11-120-2-11stECAC 2 Champion
1977-78 Merrimack 21-9-216-4-12ndNCAA National Champion
Merrimack: 218-138-10
Total:218-138-10

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

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See also
  • J. Thom Lawler Rink

References
  1. "Lawler Rink". Merrimack Warriors. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  2. "Bowdoin College Men's Hockey History" (PDF). Bowdoin Polar Bears. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  3. "Merrimack men's Hockey 2018-19 Record Book without Year-By-Year" (PDF). Merrimack Warriors. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  4. "UMass Boston Senior Receives Prestigious Hockey Award". UMass Boston News. April 13, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  5. "Rome Sports Hall of Fame 1977-2014". Rome Sentinel. June 12, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
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