Poway High Roller Hockey Coach Steps Down

After 11 solid years as the head coach of roller hockey team, Dale Ingram will not be coming back next season.

“I’ve been here for over 10 years, I’ve been coaching for over 20 years. My son graduates this year, and it’s about time I take a break,” Ingram said.

When he first took the role as roller hockey head coach, he had already been coaching ice hockey for more than 10 years. Roller hockey was merely a club at most high schools and had not been recognized by the CIF.

Still, there was an enormous wealth of talent looking to play for the Titans. Through Ingram’s effort, and the support of many individuals, the Metro Conference was formed and became California’s first and only official roller hockey league sanctioned by the CIF. 

After gaining recognition, the Titans program began to build in numbers. At its height, Poway had five different teams with more than 60 players. During his time with the team, Ingram has coached the Titans to two North County League championships and had six appearances in the CIF finals. Unfortunately, he was never able to capture the CIF title.

“I’ve tried for more than 10 years to do it,” Ingram said. “It was one of the main reasons that I continued to coach the game.”

This past season the Titans were close again, but their title hopes came to a disappointing end when they were defeated by Westview 4-2 in the semifinals. 

Ingram still had a chance to go out with a win, and some redemption, as the Titans were paired with rival Rancho Bernardo in the third-place match. The top-seeded Broncos had already given Poway three tough losses during the season, and finished on top of a stacked North County League. 

The Titans only suited up six players for the game, but came away victorious with a 5-3 upset of the Broncos.

“I think that we had a good season overall. We were not expected to do well this year and we still ended up finishing in third place over RB, who was supposed to win it all,” Ingram said.

The Titans finished the year with a 14-8 record and had two of their forwards named to the North County League second team, senior Luke Richards and junior Mac Pitts. Ingram was also recognized as he brought home the awards for All-League Coach of the Year and Coach of the Year for the North County League.

With Ingram’s departure, junior varsity coach Larry Liebman will take over the varsity position. Liebman will have a solid foundation to start with—joining him will be six returning players, including junior forward standouts Pitts and Reed Kinsey, as well as starting goalie Chris Sylva, who anchored the Titans defense all year.

Ingram, son of Ron Ingram, a former NHL player and coach of the San Diego Mariners and USIU's hockey program, said he will still be around the program to help with the transition, but expects to stick to an advising role. With all of his newly acquired free time, Ingram plans to spend his days traveling and at the golf course practicing his swing.

“I’ve had an awesome experience. I’ve worked with many great players, and made many friendships over the years,” Ingram said. “I’m glad I’ve been around to develop the sport I love, and raise awareness for the hockey program at Poway High.”

To find out more about the Titans’ roller hockey team, visit its web site.