Steve Hoar

Stephen L. Hoar (1952 – July 11, 2016) was an American ice hockey coach who led Plattsburgh State to an NCAA Division III National Championship that was later vacated.

Career Hoar grew up in the Boston area and graduated from Vermont Academy in 1970. A few years later he began attending Boston College and earned a degree in Elementary Education and Teaching. He worked as a teacher for a time but soon turned to coaching and eventually found his way behind the bench at Plattsburgh State, becoming the head coach for the men's ice hockey team in 1984.

He was an instant success as a coach, leading the team to the Frozen Four in each of his first two seasons. For his third campaign, Hoar got the team to post 33 wins, still a program record as of 2023, and win the 1987 National Championship. After two more outstanding seasons with the Cardinals, the team was rocked by allegations of NCAA violations. It was eventually confirmed that between 1985 and 1988, several players had received improper benefits from people with ties to the university including free housing, free food, small cash loans and the free use of automobiles.

Head coaching record

† Plattsburgh State voluntarily ruled itself ineligible for postseason play due to an ongoing NCAA investigation. ‡ Hoar took over in the middle of the season.