Clarkson University Men's Basketball

Jeff Gorski is entering his 12th season as head coach for the Golden Knights Men's Basketball program. He has amassed 114 victories and a .437 winning percentage in his time at Clarkson, having coached three ABCA All-Region players in John Coleman (2014-15), Derek Hart (2016-17), and Ryan Miles-Ferguson (2023-24), with the latter two players being named to play in the Reese's Division III College All-Star game at the Final Four. In his first season at the helm, Clarkson came within a few points of reaching its second ever NCAA Tournament as the Golden Knights earned the third seed in the Liberty League Tournament and reached the conference's championship game. The Green and Gold enjoyed a 20-7 record overall, the most wins in one season in program history. In 2017-18, the Golden Knights emerged as one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the country, leading the Liberty League in 3-point field goals made and 3-point field percentage.  Gorski, the 13th head coach in the program's history when the Golden Knights when the 2014-15 season began, began his tenure at Clarkson already well-versed with the Liberty League, having spent two seasons as an assistant coach with Union College (2007-2009). More recently, Gorski spent five seasons (2009-2014) as a full-time assistant at Case Western Reserve University in the University Athletic Association. During his time with the Spartans, he coached multiple All-UAA selections and helped lead Case to the second-best record in school history. As an undergraduate at Utica College, Gorski competed in three different sports. He spent four years on the basketball team, played 43 games in three years as a goalkeeper for the soccer team, and was part of the Utica golf program for two years. After his graduation, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach for Utica, and in his final year there the Pioneers advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. Gorski and his wife Alicia have three young children, Dominick, Alexandra, and Vincent.

The Clarkson Golden Knights are proud to announce the 12th coach in the history of the Men’s Ice Hockey program, and he is one who needs little introduction to the Green and Gold alumni and fans.     On June, 21, 2024, Jean-François Houle ‘97 was announced as The Leonard S. Ceglarski Head Men's Hockey Head Coach and will be back at his alma mater leading the Clarkson Golden Knights, announced President Marc P. Christensen and Director of Athletics Laurel Kane on Friday, June 21st during Clarkson’s Alumni Reunion Weekend.        “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to return and coach at my alma mater. I am excited about the future of Clarkson Hockey and eager to continue the rich history of the program.”  said Houle.  “I am looking forward to becoming a mentor and instilling the Clarkson University values to the next generation of student-athletes. My family and I have forged some deep friendships within the community and we are happy to make Potsdam home again.”   Houle returns to Clarkson after nine seasons in the American Hockey League (the NHL’s top feeder program), the last three as the Head Coach of the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s top development team. In his role with the Rocket, he has developed what many in NHL circles believe is the best corps of young talent in the league. In 2022, his team captured the Montreal region when he took the team to the Conference Finals.   "We are thrilled to have Jean-François Houle, a Golden Knight alumnus well known around the hockey world, to be our next Leonard S. Ceglarski Head Men's Hockey Coach,” said President Christensen. “His exceptional record in developing talent at both the AHL and NHL levels, combined with his deep connection to our University as a former player and assistant coach, makes him the ideal leader to drive our Men’s Hockey program to a national championship."   While with the Bakersfield Condors, the Edmonton Oilers top farm team, from 2015 to 2021, Houle helped develop a significant portion of the current Oilers roster that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2024.   Houle has a dual connection to Potsdam as a player and coach for the Golden Knights. He enrolled in the fall of 1993 as one of the most highly-touted recruits in the NCAA. A 1993 NHL draft pick of his hometown Canadians (99th overall pick), Houle made an impact right away, registering 25 points in his rookie campaign, which ranked him sixth on the team that season.  By his senior year, he and Todd White co-captained the team to the ECAC’s regular-season title and a number-one seed in the NCAA Regionals. In total, Houle played 143 games with the Golden Knights, scoring 49 goals with 129 points overall, but most fans remember his devastating hip checks and his emergence as one of the best penalty killers in college hockey.     “People who have been following Golden Knights hockey since we moved into Cheel Arena know JF was among the all-time fan favorites, who played every shift  as if it was an overtime in the national championship.  With work ethic, passion, loyalty and love for Clarkson hockey and the Potsdam Community, JF is the proven leader we need. He has a deep understanding of our program's values and a strong commitment to student athlete excellence both on and off the ice," Athletic Director Kane said.   After a pro career in the AHL and ECHL, Houle would return to Clarkson in 2003 as an assistant under new head coach George Roll. Houle quickly helped the Knights back into contention in the ECAC, as the Knights advanced to the ECAC Championship game in 2004 and then won the ECAC Championship title in 2007, as well as an ECAC regular-season title in 2008, with the team advancing to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons. In his years as assistant coach, Houle was an integral part of recruiting and developing a great corp of Clarkson All-Americans and professional players, including Steve Zalewski, Grant Clitsome, David Leggio, Nick Dodge, and Shawn Weller.     Houle would leave Potsdam in 2009 to take over as Head Coach with the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. After the team folded, he was immediately hired back in the greater Montreal region by the Armada of Blainville-Boisbriand in the “Q”. In that position, he was named the 2012 Coach of the Year, and also was a finalist for the award in 2014.    JF and his wife, Mia, have been returning to Potsdam over the last year, as their son Noah is entering his sophomore year at SUNY Potsdam, where he is a member of the Bears’ Men’s Lacrosse team. Their eldest daughter Emma recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz, and they have a daughter, Luci.     

Clarkson's Head Equipment Manager brings a high level of experience to the bench for the Golden Knights.  Pionk spent last season as the Head Equipment Manager with the AHL's Colorado Eagles, after spending the previous three seasons as the team’s assistant equipment manager. Prior to making the jump to the AHL, he spent two seasons as the head equipment manager for the USHL's Omaha Lancers. Pionk is a native of Hermantown, Minnesota and has also spent time with several NHL teams during development camps.  Joe is the younger brother of current Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk.

Clarkson promoted Chris to Associate Head Coach in the summer of 2024.  In the summer of 2022, Brooks joined the Clarkson staff after six seasons at Michigan Tech of the CCHA and is a coach with a extensive experience at the professional and collegiate level both as a Head Coach and Assistant Coach. From 2017-18 season to the 2021-22 season, Brooks was the Assistant Men's Hockey Coach at Michigan Tech, where he played an integral role in recruiting, special teams, specifically the power play and the team's defensive corps.  In his time at Michigan Tech, the Huskies, have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2022 (would have qualified in 2020 had the season not been shut down) and won a WCHA Title also in 2018.  Last season Michigan Tech split two games here at Cheel with the Golden Knights. As a Head Coach, Brooks won the 2016 NCAA Div. III National Championship with University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where he coached from 2011- 2017. In 2013-14 and 2014-15 he led UW-Stevens Point to back to back national runner-up finishes in its first appearance in the NCAA Division III postseason in 16 years. The berth in the Frozen Four in 2013-14 was the first for the Pointers since 1998. In 2013-14 the Pointers recorded a 22-6-2 record and the 22 wins were the most by a UWSP team since 1999-2000 and then again in 2014-15 the Pointers had a 23-7-1 record.  Brooks and the Pointers won the WIAC Championship in 2015-16 for the programs first time since 1993 and won it again in 2016-17.   Brooks was honored for his success by being named a finalist for the Edward Jeremiah Award, given to the Division III Coach of the Year in 2014, 2015, and 2016 compiling a record of 67-18-5 over those three seasons.  Brooks was named the WIAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2015-16 and the USCHO.com Division III Coach of the Year that same season. His Head Coaching experience also extended into professional hockey, where he coached the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League from 2008 to 2011 Brooks got his start in coaching at Western Michigan from 1999 to 2008, where he started as an Assistant Coach and then was named Associate Head Coach.  Brooks also played for the Broncos from the 1992-93 season thru to the 1995-96 campaign.  He was the CCHA Rookie of the Year in 1993, Asst. Captain in his Sr. season and finished as the Broncos 8th all-time leading scorer with 184 points.  Brooks also played professionally after Western Michigan for the Amarillo Rattlers of the CHL/WPHL where he was named WPHL League MVP in 1997, and for Mobile in the ECHL.  He also saw playoff action in the AHL with Springfield.   Brooks, originally from Stratford, Ontario, received his MA in Communication in 2007 and a BA in Organizational Communication in 1996 both from Western Michigan University.  Brooks lives in Potsdam with his wife Jeannine.  They have a daughter Bryar and son, Barrett.  Barrett is a member of the Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team.   

Potsdam, NY — Clarkson University Men’s Hockey is proud to announce the addition of Corey Leivermann to its coaching staff ahead of the 2025–26 season. Leivermann will serve as an Assistant Coach on Head Coach JF Houle’s staff.  Leivermann is bringing with him a wealth of experience across the NCAA, USHL, and NAHL ranks.   A native of North Mankato, Minnesota, Leivermann joins the Golden Knights after spending last season in the ECAC with the Cornell Big Red.  Leivermann helped the Big Red to a big playoff run which included an ECAC Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.   “Corey is a great fit for our outstanding coaching staff, he is a young energetic coach with an exceptional ability to recruit NCAA Talent.” said Coach Houle. Houle went on to say “Corey excels in skill development and his knowledge of the game and his ability to communicate and use video analytics to help the new generation of players is a great asset to our storied program. As the landscape of college hockey is changing at a rapid pace, Corey's past year experience of recruiting at the CHL and USHL level ensures a seamless transition.”   Leivermann made the move to the College Rank following a record-setting season as Associate Head Coach of the Fargo Force (USHL). In 2023–24, he helped guide the Force to a league-best 50-win campaign and a Clark Cup championship, while also coaching in the 2024 Chipotle All-American Game, a showcase for the nation’s top NHL Draft-eligible talent.   Leivermann’s coaching pedigree includes prior stints as GM and Head Coach of the Madison Capitols (USHL), Head Coach of the Janesville Jets (NAHL), and scouting and coaching roles across multiple junior leagues. Known for his keen eye for talent and player development, Leivermann has played a pivotal role in moving dozens of players on to NCAA Division I programs and the professional ranks.   As a player, Leivermann starred at Minnesota State before finishing his NCAA career as team captain at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he earned AHCA Second Team All-American honors. He also competed professionally with the Mississippi RiverKings (SPHL).   Leivermann holds a BS degree in Management from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.  Corey and his wife Tanya have ties to the Potsdam area and are familiar with the North Country and they are eager to make Potsdam their home.   Leivermann will be involved in all aspects of the program, including player development, video analysis, recruiting coordination, and day-to-day operations.  

Aidan Holmes is entering his first season as the top assistant coach for the Golden Knights’ Men’s Basketball program for the 2025-26 season. Holmes graduated from Ithaca College this past spring with a degree in Business Administration. Over the course of four seasons with the Bombers, Holmes started 50 times in 80 career games, producing 507 points, 223 rebounds, and 84 assists, for career averages of 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Last year he topped all of those averages with 9.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 1.6 apg as the Bombers reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years.   Holmes will be seeking his MBA at Clarkson while serving as the team’s assistant coach.  

Clarkson is excited to announce the addition of Sebastian Ragno to the Men's Hockey Coaching Staff, in the role of the newly created Assistant Coach Position.  Ragno will join, Ceglarski Head Coach, JF Houle, Associate Coach Brooks, and Assistant Coach Schneider on the Men's bench this season.    In the summer of 2023, the NCAA expanded the size allowable for college hockey programs from 2 paid assistants to 3 full time assistants.  Ragno comes to the Knights after spending last season with Stonehill College, where he worked with goaltenders and assisted in skill sessions and recruiting.  Sebastian also worked with the goaltenders from the Women's program at Brown University.  Ragno has also worked with Stop It Goaltending in Foxboro and has been on staff at multiple USA Hockey Development Camps.     With the Knights, Ragno will work with goaltenders and run on ice skill sessions along with help with recruiting.

An Instructor of Economics & Financial Studies at the David D. Reh School of Business, Gasper has been an academic advisor for the Men's Hockey team for the last 10 years, during that time the team has been one of the top academic teams in the ECAC, producing 2 ECAC Student Athlete of the Year Winners and culminating with 2023 every player on the roster being named to the ECAC All Academic Team.  Sekelj is no stranger to the Green and Gold locker room, as he skated from 1998 to 2002 as a member of 2 ECAC Regular Season Championship teams and a member of the 1999 ECAC Tournament Championship squad.  The Ljubljana, Slovenia native graduated in 2002 with his Masters and immediately stepped into an instruction role at Clarkson.  Meanwhile, he became a Volunteer Coach with the inaugural NCAA Div. I Women's Hockey Programs in 2003 and stayed with the team until 2006. Sekelj's research interests are: Cost certainty and competitive balance in professional sports, Emerging markets and privatization of state owned enterprises, Executive compensation in rapidly changing environment and Say on Pay votes, and Project evaluation and venture capital. Coursework that Gasper has or is currently teaching include: EC150 - Principles of Microeconomics EC151 - Principles of Macroeconomics EC350 - Economic Principles and Engineering Economics EC200 - Engineering Economics UNIV399 - Global Business Experience UNIV267 - Introduction to Canada SB510 - Pre-MBA Module: Macroeconomics HP200/201 - Sophomore Honors Project FN540 - Finance for Engineers EC475 - Personnel Economics SB100 - HEOP Business Course In addition, Sekelj also leads multiple international trips for Clarkson students, allowing them to explore different Business Climates and Cultures.  

Clarkson Hockey has announced the addition of Mike Clougherty as the Video Coach.  Mike will be a graduate assistant as he will enroll in the Masters of Business Administration program at the Reh School of Business.  Mike graduated from Boston College in May of 2024 with a Corporate Systems Major.  While at BC, Mike was the Associate Head Coach with the Valley Jr. Warriors of the EHL and ran his own hockey skill development program, Claw Hockey.  Mike will be responsible for supporting the coaching staff in all video breakdown and implementation.