Ned Harkness; coached hockey, lacrosse champs

Ned Harkness (center) was flanked by his players after winning the 1970 NCAA championship. (CORNELL SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE)

ALBANY, N.Y. - Ned Harkness, who coached NCAA champion hockey and lacrosse teams, has died. He was 89.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute said Mr. Harkness, who won NCAA hockey championships in 1954 with RPI and in 1967 and 1970 with Cornell University, died at his home in Rochester yesterday on his birthday.

He had recently suffered a stroke.

Mr. Harkness, a native of Ottawa, also coached the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and later was the team's general manager.

"Inside College Hockey" lists Mr. Harkness fifth among the 16 best college hockey coaches of all time, noting he was one of two to win NCAA championships at different schools.

Mr. Harkness coached at RPI from 1949-63, at Cornell from 1963-70, and at RPI rival Union College from 1975-77. In his national championship year at Cornell in 1970, his team was undefeated.

While he was at Cornell, Mr. Harkness coached a young law student named Ken Dryden, who would go on to become a Hall of Fame goaltender with the Montreal Canadiens.

Mr. Harkness also coached RPI's national champion lacrosse team in 1952.

Mr. Harkness was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 1994 and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2001.

A memorial service will be held Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Glens Falls.