New Leader Takes Over PIHL

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, January 22, 2016 | 7:55 AM

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League will be undergoing a transition in leadership for the second time in less than two years, as Jim Black resigned from his position as League Commissioner last week.

Black, a longtime coach of Beaver, North Hills, Pine-Richland and, most recently, North Allegheny varsity hockey associations, leaves the League he took over in the summer of 2014. Associate Commissioner Dave Fryer has been named the interim League Commissioner for the remainder of the 2015-2016 season.

“I did this with a heavy heart because I enjoyed working with the PIHL and its members,” Black said in his resignation letter. “It was truly a dream job having been involved in Hockey in the Western PA community for such a long time.”

For Black, stepping away from the Commissioner position was due to his role in the ownership of the newly named Bairel Ice Complex (formerly Bladerunners in Warrendale). A silent investor in 2015, Black was appointed to the role of General Manager for the building, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility that has been the home to several PIHL associations, as well as well multiple travel, junior and college teams.

“The work Jim did for this league is very visible and has been extremely beneficial to high school hockey,” said Fryer in a statement to MSA Sports. “Behind that were some not-so-visible acts that puts this league in a great position to continue forward, including the mentoring he provided to me along the way.”

Fryer, who stressed that he is only currently the interim League Commissioner, specified that a full hiring process will be conducted for the permanent role, though he has been encouraged to apply and was given support by Black in his resignation letter.

“I am confident that (Fryer) will do a great job, as many of you have seen his work first hand over the last year and a half,” said Black. “He will continue to execute the plan of streamlining the processes and making the games a positive, exciting experience for the kids.”

Under the leadership of Black and Fryer, the League was far more competitive from top to bottom than previous seasons. A big part of the heightened competition level was the League’s realignment, which Black was instrumental in overseeing before the start of last season. Under the new format, which combined PIAA enrollment numbers and association winning percentage, teams were aligned into four classifications.

In addition to the realignment and several other League-wide initiatives, the PIHL’s presence on social media was expanded, in large part due to Fryer. The League also entered into a media agreement with MSA Sports to broadcast games, with both live audio and video streams available throughout the season and Penguins Cup Playoffs. 

“I feel like this league is going in a very positive direction due to the work of Jim, our Executive Committee, and our membership,” said Fryer. “My task is to keep the wheels turning and get us prepared for what could very well be the most-competitive post-season we have ever had.”

The change comes with just over a month to play in the regular season. The League recently announced that, due to a scheduling conflict with CONSOL Energy Center, all four championship games will be held at the newly opened UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry on March 14-15. The Pennsylvania Cup State Championships will be played that ensuing weekend in State College.

Black took over the Commissioner role in 2014, replacing Ed Sam, who held the position since 1999.