Talk about a busy summer.

The Buffalo State Athletic Department was busy this summer writing press releases, welcoming in new faces and saying goodbye to old ones. Here’s a rundown of the coaching and administrative changes that have taken place the past few months:

Carriere resigns to take AHL job, Murphy to lead men’s hockey

After 10 years at helm of Buffalo State’s men’s hockey program, Nick Carriere resigned in early July to take an assistant coach job with St. John’s Ice Caps, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo State announced in a press release.

Carriere led the Bengals to the SUNYAC playoffs nine times, including the semifinals the past four years. He posted a 109-127-27 record and was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2005-06.

The Bengals decided to promote from within, tagging Steve Murphy as the interim head coach. Murphy joined the team as an assistant last season.

Murphy, a native of Anchorage, Alaska, played collegiate hockey at Division III Curry in Massachusetts and at St. Mary’s in Minnesota.

He doesn’t have any head coaching experience, but came to Buffalo State after serving as an assistant coach and a strength and conditioning coach for the Kenai River Brown Bears of the North American Hockey League. He also served as head scout there.

Roarke steps down as women’s basketball coach to take NU job

Sue Roarke resigned on July 1 to take an administrative role in Niagara University’s athletic department. Roarke is now NU’s assistant athletic director.

Roarke served as head coach for nine seasons, accumulating an overall record of 118-114 and led the Bengals to the playoffs six times. Roarke’s best season came in 2011-12 when the Bengals finished 25-3 and won the SUNYAC regular season championship and went on to fall the SUNYAC title game.

Buffalo State has yet to name a new coach.

Curran named Senior Woman Administrator

Sue Roarke previously served as Buffalo State’s Senior Woman Administrator, but her departure to NU left a vacancy.

Softball coach Marie Curran will now take the job, making her the top-ranking female administrator in the school’s athletic program.

“The designation of SWA is intended to encourage and promote the involvement of female administrators in meaningful ways in the decision-making process in intercollegiate athletics,” Buffalo State wrote in a press release. “The designation is intended to enhance representation of female experience and perspective at the institutional, conference and national levels and support women’s interests.”

Curran will continue to serve as head softball coach, where she has led the Bengals to the SUNYAC playoffs three times in her four seasons.

Curran has 17 years of head coaching experience, including 13 years at the Division I level. Curran coached at UB for nine years, two years Northern Illinois University and two years at Creighton University.

DePeters hires Maloney to join volleyball staff

Leanne Maloney, a former standout at Fredonia, will join Buffalo State’s volleyball staff as an assistant coach. Head coach Marie DePeters announced the hiring in June.

Maloney was an accomplished outside hitter at Fredonia, being named a two-time All-SUNYAC selection. She led Fredonia to a SUNYAC title in 2009 and was named MVP of the tournament. Maloney played at Division I St. Peter’s before transferring to Fredonia.

Maloney has yet to coach at the college level, but has coached with Niagara Frontier Volleyball for four years, two as head coach. She also coached boys volleyball at Our Lady of Sacred Heart School in Orchard Park for two seasons.

Spalti hired to join training staff

Jeff Spalti has been hired as an assistant athletic trainer. Spalti will work directly with Buffalo State’s football, basketball and softball teams, as well as all of the Buffalo State’s varsity programs.

Spalti has worked at three colleges before Buffalo State. Recently, he spent two years as an assistant trainer at the College of St. Rose. He also spent a year at the University at Buffalo, and three years at SUNY Albany.

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