Coach Rosco Named Bucks President

LAREDO, TX- The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League announced Wednesday that Terry Ruskowski has been named the Team’s new President. Ruskowski takes over for John Beckelhymer, who left the team to puruse other business interests. In addition to now overseeing the business operations of the team, Ruskowski will continue to serve as the Bucks Head Coach and General Manager.

   “Rosco will continue to coach, but he is uniquely qualified to be the leader of the entire Bucks organization”, said Bucks Majority Owner Glenn Hart. “I believe that he will bring the same passion and leadership to the business operation that he has had in the hockey operation”

   “I am very proud to move into this new role as Team President”, Ruskowski said. “I have the utmost respect for John Beckelhymer, he is one of the best businessmen that I have ever met. I have big shoes to fill in replacing John”.

  “John has been a vital part of the record setting performance of the Bucks during his five and a half year tenure as president of the Bucks”, Hart said. “John and I have become great friends. He will help us by consulting through the end of the season. We wish him much success in his future endeavors”.

   Ruskowski, who will turn 54 on New Year’s Eve, is the only Head Coach and General Manager the Bucks have ever had in their seven-year history. The Bucks have qualified for the CHL post-season in each of their six seasons under “Coach Rosco”, winning two CHL President’s Cup Championships (2004, 2006), one CHL Governor’s Cup Regular Season Championship (2003-04), four straight Southern Conference Championships from 2004-2007, and five straight Southeast Division Championships.

   “The Bucks have been successful on and off the ice, and I expect that to continue under Coach's leadership of both”, Hart said.

   Ruskowski, arguably the most popular sports figure ever in Laredo, reached the 450 win plateau as a head coach on January 25th, 2008. Ruskowski enters this weekend’s games with a 481-317-71 mark, including a 267-103-32 record in seven seasons in Laredo.

   “I love the City of Laredo, and I love the Laredo Bucks”, Ruskowski said. “I will continue to try my absolute hardest for the Greatest Fans in the world, Laredo Bucks fans. I hope this will be a great thing for our franchise”.

   Hart will be available to meet with the media on Wednesday at 12:30pm at the LEC. Ruskowski, who is currently in Houston with his family, will be available to meet with the media on Thursday after practice at the LEC.

*FRONT OFFICE CHANGES*

   The Bucks also announced two other Front Office Moves Wednesday, the promotion of Jennifer Beckelhymer to Executive Vice President, and the promotion of Nicole Kupaks to Vice President of Business Operations.

   Jennifer Beckelhymer has been with the Bucks since February of 2004, and has spent the last five seasons as the team’s director of finance.

  “Jennifer has quietly become one of the most respected members of our staff. She knows more about our business than anyone”, Hart said. “She will be a vital part of continuing our success”.

   Beckelhymer is a graduate of The University of Texas- San Antonio, with a BBA in Business.

    Nicole Kupaks (Formerly Thompson) returned to the Bucks organization in May of 2008 as Director of Public Relations. She worked from 2004-2006 as the Bucks Director of Community Relations.

    “Nicole is one of the best employees I have ever had in any of my businesses. She is passionate about the Bucks and it shows every day in the quality of her work”, said Hart. “She has been exceptional in her role as public relations director, and is deserving of even greater responsibility in our organization”.

   Kupaks was honored with the 2005 CHL Soul of Service award, and was named the CHL Employee of the month in January 2005.

   After her first stint with the Bucks, Kupkas spent the last two years in College Station, where she was Director of Sales and Marketing for the Artic Wolf Ice Center.

    Kupaks, an Austin native, attended Texas Tech University.

   The Bucks, led by new President Coach Rosco, will be back in action at the LEC this weekend, when they host two special holiday games on Friday and Saturday when they host Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi. The four for $40 is back for the holiday’s, buy four tickets for just $40. Call 718-BUCK (2825) to order today.