NEWHA Announces 2026-27 Executive Committee

WINTHROP, Mass. (July 7, 2026) – New England Women’s Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Commissioner Robert DeGregorio Jr. has appointed Karin Mann and Eric Gobiel to join Charlie Dowd on the 2026-27 Executive Committee.

“I would like to thank Dean O’Keefe of Stonehill College and Neil Duval of Saint Anselm College for their dedicated service to the NEWHA over the past two years as members of the Executive Committee,” said DeGregorio, Jr. “I’m pleased to welcome Karin Mann of Post University and Eric Gobiel of Assumption University as they begin their two-year terms on the Executive Committee. I look forward to working with them, along with Charlie Dowd of Sacred Heart University, who will serve as Chair of the NEWHA Executive Committee.”

Dowd, the Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations at Sacred Heart University, will serve as chair of the committee. He joined Sacred Heart in 2018 and has served as the Pioneers' men's and women's ice hockey administrator since his arrival. Dowd also serves on the executive committees for the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association and Atlantic Hockey America. Prior to joining Sacred Heart, he spent seven years as Senior Vice President of Operations for Harbor Yard Sports & Entertainment, where he helped revitalize Webster Bank Arena by bringing NHL games, major concerts, NCAA championship events, and collegiate hockey to the venue.

Mann, who is entering her 28th year at Post University and third as Director of Athletics, works closely with the University's Counseling Center to expand mental health services for the institution's 22 NCAA Division II programs. During her tenure, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Compliance Coordinator, Assistant Athletic Director, Senior Associate Athletic Director, and Senior Woman Administrator. Mann also serves as one of the University's Deputy Title IX Coordinators and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

Gobiel, the Director of Athletics at Assumption University, oversees initiatives focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience, increasing enrollment and fundraising, and fostering department-wide competitive success. Under his leadership, Assumption has enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in department history, capturing 10 conference regular season championships, five conference tournament titles, three NCAA Regional Championships, and making 24 NCAA Championship appearances while producing 29 All-Americans.

ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S HOCKEY ALLIANCE

Founded in 2017, the New England Women's Hockey Alliance is comprised of three NCAA Division I institutions and five NCAA Division II institutions. Members of the NEWHA include Assumption University, Franklin Pierce University, Long Island University, Post University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Anselm College, Saint Michael's College, and Stonehill College.

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