This bio is now a part of a historical archive, the individual was on the staff from 2018-2022 and is no longer employed by Wilkes University.
Earl Utter begins his fourth season as the head coach of the Wilkes women's ice hockey program in 2021-22.
In 2019-20, Utter coached Wilkes to five wins including the first in the program's history, a 5-4 victory over Anna Maria College on December 7th. One month later, the Colonels captured their first MAC and UCHC win posting a 3-2 victory over King's College. Three Colonels earned All-MAC honors during the season.
Utter has coached 11 UCHC All-Academic honorees during his three seasons behind the bench of the Colonels.
Utter comes to Wilkes following a nine-year stint as the women’s ice hockey head coach at SUNY Cortland. He led his team to two straight ECAC West playoff appearances in 2014-15 and 2015-16 where the Red Dragons combined for 19 wins.
Prior to his time at Cortland, Utter enjoyed a highly successful run as the men’s ice hockey coach at Morrisville State from 1997-2007. He compiled an overall record of 177-60-13 at Morrisville and led the program in its transition from the junior college to NCAA Division III ranks. He guided the Mustangs to four National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national titles, including three straight from 2004-06 and four in five years, and was named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year three times.
Utter was also chosen as the Eastern Junior College Hockey League (EJCHL) Coach of the Year on three occasions. His players earned 11 All-America honors along with numerous all-league and all-region awards. Off the ice, his players earned 10 NJCAA Academic All-America and Academic All-Region honors. He was inducted into Morrisville's Wall of Fame in 2015.
Prior to Morrisville, Utter spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Division I Cornell University where he was a part of two ECAC Championships and one Ivy League Championship. He has also coached in the North American Hockey League and at the high school and youth levels.
In the summer, Utter has worked for USA Hockey as an instructor at National Player Development camps and as a lecturer in the USA Hockey Coaching Development programs. He has worked with coaching staffs of two Under-22 national women’s teams.
Utter earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from SUNY Brockport in 1991 and earned his master’s degree from Western Michigan University in 1994.
