American International College (AIC) Head Ice Hockey Coach Eric Lang '98, MS '08, has announced that Matthew Woodard ’09, has been promoted to Associate Head Coach. AIC has won two Atlantic Hockey Association championships with Woodard on the bench, taking the titles in 2021 and 2022.

“[Matt Woodard] has been an incredible addition to our staff,” Lang said. “Matt is thorough, organized, and a meticulous recruiter. Our student-athletes are better because Matt is involved in their lives. An AIC grad, Matt is a true Yellow Jacket,” he added.

Woodard, who graduated from the College with degrees in criminal justice and psychology, recently completed his third season as an assistant coach, having helped lead his alma mater to the team’s fifth-consecutive winning season. Woodard has run AIC’s defense and penalty kill, and in 2022-23 the Yellow Jackets led the Atlantic Hockey Association in goals allowed with just 99 across 39 games, a 2.54 goals-against average. He has also been a leader in the recruiting process for the Yellow Jackets.

Woodard expressed gratitude for Lang’s decision to promote him to the Associate position. "The support from him [Lang] and the rest of this staff has helped bring the best out of me. I love this group and being surrounded by unbelievable people.” Woodard also thanked the College administration for its continued confidence and added his appreciation for the encouragement of his wife. "I'd like to thank my wife Rhonwen for her love and support; there are a lot of hours spent away from each other during the grind of a season, and she is always there to support and push me to be the best version of myself," Woodard said.

Beyond his time at AIC, Woodard previously coached women’s ice hockey at Dartmouth College, Yale University, and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). With RIT, he helped lead the Tigers to two College Hockey America titles and coached current Metropolitan Riveters forward Kendall Cornine.

Woodard competed in 133 games for the Yellow Jackets, notching six goals and 23 assists for 29 points from the blueline from 2005-09, including playing for Lang when he was the graduate assistant coach from 2006-08. In 2006-07, Woodard had his best season statistically, with four goals and seven assists for 11 points, all career highs.