Michigan State Director of Hockey Operations Dan Sturges passed away unexpectedly on Monday, the school announced.
“Dan Sturges was a beloved member of the Michigan State hockey family, and our entire community is stunned at this devastating news,” Michigan State coach Adam Nightingale said in a statement. “He was an adoring father and a devoted husband, and our hearts break for his wife Becky and their sons. As a player and later as a member of our staff, Dan loved being a Spartan and worked every day to make the program the best it possibly could be. His passion, dedication and impact will leave a lasting legacy.”
Sturges worked with Michigan State hockey since returning to the program in 2019. He played for the Spartans from 2005-09 and was a member of the 2007 NCAA championship team. During that time, the Verona, Wisc., native was highly involved with Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) where he spearheaded several community service initiatives, including co-founding the hockey team’s “Shoot for a Cure” campaign, according to the school. He is one of 19 members of his family to attend Michigan State, including his father (John) and brother (AJ) who were hockey letterwinners.
“The prayers of the Michigan State athletics family are with the Sturges family and the entire Spartan hockey program,” Michigan State athletic director J Batt said in a statement. “He cared deeply about the student-athletes and staff in the hockey program, and built genuine relationships with people throughout the department. To lose him so suddenly is a shock to all. The department’s top priority at this time will be providing supportive resources to members of the hockey program and athletic department as they grieve.”
Before returning to MSU in 2019, Sturges coached club hockey at the University of Colorado, including its ACHA DII team from 2016-19 before being elevated to the top job of the ACHA DI program in 2019. He was named the Big Mountain Hockey Conference Coach of the Year in 2018 while leading his team to the league’s playoff title.
Simultaneously, Sturges also served as an assistant coach from 2017-19 at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., where he worked under former Spartan assistant and Denver head coach George Gwozdecky.