Bio

An original member of the USCAA Board of Directors, Gonyea worked closely with Garth Pleasant, (Athletic Director of Rochester College) to help form the USCAA in 2002.  Prior to that, he had served on the NSCAA (National Small College Athletic Association) Board for four years.

Gonyea was hired at Central Maine Community College in 1993 and was tasked with building an athletic program where virtually none existed.  Through very good college leadership, surrounding himself with quality people and recruiting positive role models as student/athletes he transformed CM into a New England athletic powerhouse.  The highlight of his career came in 2001—02 when, as head men basketball coach, he led his squad to the USCAA National Championship.

He was named 1996-97 New England Coach of the Year, 1998-99 and 2000-01 NSCAA Athletic Director of the Year, 2002 USCAA Athletic Director of the Year, and 1998-99,1999-00,2000-01,2001-02,2002-03, MSCC Coach of the Year and 2007-08 Yankee Conference Coach of the Year.

When not on the hardwood or managing the athletic program, Gonyea serves the college as the Director of Housing and Security.  He prides himself on relationship building on the campus and serves the local community on a variety of committees and projects.

In his younger years, Gonyea served on a local school board for six years and was responsible for contract negotiations on behalf of the city. That experience taught him the value of relationships. 

He graduated from the University of Southern Maine and cut his teeth in social work working as the Assistant Director/ Athletic Director at Opportunity Farm for Boys, a group home for 40 boys attempting to turn their life around.  This “working farm” provided him the opportunity to become an impact player developing talent and assisting young people to utilize their talents in a positive manner.    “Most of what I use today in some form or another I learned from my experience at the farm” says Gonyea.

A workaholic by nature, Gonyea resides on the college campus and approaches his role in athletics differently than most.  “I enjoy the day to day relationship with the kids” he says.  “Graduating from college and becoming solid citizens are equally as important as winning games.” 

In his spare time, Gonyea is an avid hockey fan!