Two Long-Time Canisius Coaches Sign Contract Extensions

Two fixtures in the Canisius College athletic department over the past 20 years have signed three-year contract extensions, Director of Athletics Timothy J. Dillon/ announced today.

Ice hockey head coach Brian Cavanaugh and softball head coach Mike Rappl both took their respective posts in 1980 and have become two of the most successful coaches in Canisius history, combining for over 800 victories.

Cavanaugh begins his 21st season behind the bench for the Griffs and has served as the Canisius head coach in 20 of the program's 21 varsity seasons. He is three games away from his 300th victory with a 297-246-40 record (.544 winning percentage), which includes two 20-win seasons. Since the inception of the MAAC Hockey League in the 1998-99 campaign, Canisius has advanced to the conference tournament semifinals twice, including an appearance in the 1999 championship game against Holy Cross.

Rappl will enter his 23rd season as head coach of the softball team and is fresh off winning his sixth MAAC Coach of the Year award. He owns a 504-222-2 record (.694 winning percentage), ranking him among the winningest active coaches in the country.
Last season, the Griffs won their eighth regular-season MAAC Championship and posted a 28-15 record, their 13th straight 20-win season. Rappl has led the Griffs to six 30-win seasons in the last nine campaigns, two NCAA Tournament appearances, three NCAA Play-In Games and 21 straight winning seasons.

“These two coaches have been a tremendous asset to Canisius athletics throughout their careers,” said Dillon. “We are thrilled that they will continue to lead their respective programs in the upcoming years.”

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