"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13, NIV
A familiar face has been named to lead both the hockey and lacrosse programs as East Texas Baptist University announced Ryan Gruszka as Head Coach entering the 2025–26 season.
Gruszka returns to ETBU after previously serving as a graduate assistant for both the hockey and lacrosse programs early in his coaching career. Most recently, he coached at CIH Academy, competing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). Prior to that, he coached the Cold Lake Aeros Junior A Hockey Club and was the head coach at Finlandia University.
A standout alum of the ETBU hockey program, he remains the first and only All-American in program history, competing for the Tigers after graduating from Williston State College, where he played two seasons and earned ACHA All-West Region honors. Prior to his collegiate career, Gruszka played four seasons of junior hockey.
He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2021 and a Master of Education in Sport Leadership in 2022, both from East Texas Baptist University and maintains coaching certifications with USA Hockey and Hockey Canada.
Gruszka, a native of Belle River, Ontario, resides in Marshall with his wife Cheyenne, their son Ethan, and their dog Ozzy.