M.T.S.U. hockey has now become a sanctioned sport that will compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Div III. There are three divisions in ACHA, Div I, Div II, and Div III. Each division has their own League Championship and National Championship. Div III is split into five regions Northeast, Atlantic, Southeast, Central and West. . There is a National ranking system for each div and National recognition for the athletes. There are approximately 85 colleges competing to go to the National Championship in the ACHA Div III. M.T.S.U. is actively recruiting hockey players that are interested in continuing their education and hockey experience at the college level. Interested hockey players may contact the MTSU hockey coach Rick Sanzi at or call 615-578-4299 for more information on M.T.S.U. hockey and what M.T.S.U. has to offer you for a college degree.

University: Academic Structure

The University offers, through seven colleges and thirty-six academic departments, instruction in the liberal and fine arts, the sciences, education, business, mass communication, and a variety of other fields. The recording industry and aerospace programs attract students nationwide. The teacher education program has a distinguished history and is one of the largest in Tennessee. Students pursuing bachelor's degrees complete general studies courses that provide the skills and knowledge that are essential for major and minor programs. The College of Graduate Studies offers five doctoral, two educational specialists, and thirty master's programs, the largest enrollments are found in business administration, education, and psychology. Middle Tennessee State University anticipates expansion of its graduate programs in selected areas.

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee and lies about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. MTSU is the fastest growing university in Tennessee with a student enrollment of 19,000.

Not only is the university growing in terms of student enrollment and campus facilities, it is growing in terms of excellence. With one of the highest admission requirements in the state among public
universities.

     As a native of Rhode Island, Rick played high school hockey for Ponaganset High School in the 70’s. Rick played his summer hockey for teams including LaSalle Academy, Mount Saint Charles and the Cerrone All Stars, at the Mount Saint Charles summer league, and Don Armstrong's Rhode Island Summer Hockey League. Played for the Rhode Island Kings a midget travel team that played in Massachusetts based out of Mount St Charles.

Played JR. hockey for the Tri Valley Squires in Massachusetts, and JR Canadians in Canada.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

· 79-95 Coached at mite, pewee, and midget age level in the
                 Griffon Youth Hockey League in CT.

· 79-85 Coached bantam and pewee travel teams in Massachusetts for the
                 Griffon Youth Hockey League.

· 80-94 Specialty Coach, instructed players for numerous High Schools
                 on breakouts, offensive plays and goalie clinics.

· 95-96 Coached mites and midget division at the NYHL in TN.

· 96-97 Coached Midget house league at the NYHL in TN.

· 97-02 Coached Bantam and High School hockey in the NYHL in TN.

· 02-03 Ran an instructional program on stick handling, shooting, passing,
                and the fundamentals of hockey from ages 4 to adult
                for the Centennial Sports Plex..

· 02-03 Coach Midget Minors and Midget Majors for the NYHL.

Coach Stanzi has been coaching hockey for the past 22 years, and now resides in Lavergne TN with his wife Nancy and his two children Ricky and Angela. 
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