ANNVILLE, Pa. - Lebanon Valley has announced that Matt Yingst will serve as the next head coach of the women's ice hockey program.

Yingst, a former assistant for the LVC's men's ice hockey team, most recently served as the director of hockey operations for the Hershey Jr. Bears. Prior to taking over with the youth organization, Yingst served on the Flying Dutchmen staff from 1999-2007 under former head coach Al MacCormack and was a member of the program's 2001 ECAC Northeast Championship squad.

"We are excited to welcome Matt Yingst to the LVC Athletic Department," said Director of Athletics Rick Beard '90, M'92. "We are confident that Matt brings the right mix of ice hockey knowledge and work ethic to help our women's ice hockey program reach new heights. His passion for the game and Lebanon Valley College was evident throughout the search process and there is no doubt he will hit the ground running." 

After finishing up his playing days at the University of Connecticut, Yingst played professionally for a number of clubs, including the AHL's Hershey Bears, and the Johnstown Chiefs and Columbus Chili of the ECHL. His familiarity with hockey in the region runs deep as his father Doug Yingst served as the president and general manager of the Bears from 1998 until he retired from the position in 2016.

"For me, it's incredibly exciting," said Yingst when asked about his emotions as he takes the reins of the women's program. "My history with the school goes back forever. With this opportunity to come on board with the women's team, I'm on cloud nine. I can't wait to meet with the players and talk with them again."

The 2016-17 campaign was the first in program history for the Dutchmen. LVC finished the season with four victories. Yingst is excited about the prospect of leading the team into a new era as it continues to grow moving forward.

"I'm in this for the long haul," he said. "My roots are in Central Pennsylvania and I can't wait to build the program and get the community involved. I'm ecstatic."