HWS News
23 July 2026 Poole Family Names Hobart Head Hockey Coach Position
Endowed gift honors Coach Mark Taylor while securing the future of Hobart hockey.
Honorary Trustee Thomas B. Poole ’61, P ’91, L.H.D ’06 and Mary Jane Poole P’91, L.H.D. ’25 have established the Thomas B. Poole ’61 and Family Head Coach of Hobart Hockey. The endowed gift honors Mark Taylor, the winningest coach in Hobart hockey history, whose 26-year tenure has transformed the Statesmen into one of the nation’s premier Division III programs.
The gift is the latest expression of the Pooles’ longstanding commitment to Hobart and William Smith. Over the years, their generosity has strengthened the student experience through projects including the renovation and design of the Poole Family Admissions Center, the creation of the Tom Poole ’61 Soccer Team Room, the Poole Family Sports Dome, and the naming of the endowed Head Coach of Hobart Soccer.
“Tom and Mary Jane Poole have shaped Hobart and William Smith in countless ways over the years, and this gift is another extraordinary example of their commitment to the people and programs that define our community,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “By endowing the head hockey coach position and honoring Mark Taylor’s remarkable legacy, they are investing in the continued success of one of the premier programs in collegiate athletics. We are deeply grateful for the Poole family's generosity and their enduring belief in the power of Hobart and William Smith.”
For more than 35 years, Poole has served on the HWS Board of Trustees, for much of that time chairing the important Buildings and Grounds Committee. As a result, nearly every facility improvement made on campus over four decades has been influenced by Poole's construction savvy and design sense. Before retiring in 2019, Poole was the chairman and CEO of Hallen Construction Company, Inc., on Long Island. Poole joined the company in 1964, following his graduation from Hobart and his Navy service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Under his leadership, Hallen grew into one of the most in-demand firms in New York City with a specialty in structural steel, utilities, telecommunications and site work. Among many other career distinctions, Poole has worked on every bridge in New York City.
“HWS is an awesome place because of people like Tom and Mary Jane Poole,” Taylor says. “What I’ve always appreciated about Tom is that he cares deeply about the people behind the program – the student-athletes, coaches and staff who work every day to represent HWS the right way. His support has helped create opportunities for generations of students, and I’m humbled and grateful to be associated with a gift like this.”
In 1995, Poole received Hobart's William Napier Memorial Award for outstanding service to Hobart Athletics and the SAA, including support for the Robert A. Bristol Field House, the AstroTurf Stadium, the Napier Leadership Seminar, the John Topichak Memorial Team Room, and the Bob Ford Basketball Team Room. He received a citation from the Hobart Alumni Association in June 1986 and was inducted into the Hobart Statesmen Hall of Fame in October 2002.
“I couldn’t be more humbled and proud to have the Poole Family name represent the Hobart head coaching position and more so the Hobart Hockey program,” Taylor said. “Spirit and love have been two of the strongest ingredients of our program, even well before my arrival as Head Coach. Given that, Tom’s spirit and love for the entire Hobart College experience, past, present and future is so inspiring and fitting. During our first NCAA Championship run, Tom shared a saying from his Navy days of ‘Watertight integrity.’ We embraced that as a team with great success and it remains a key value of the program. I can’t think of anyone who represents that more than Tom and I am honored to do the same as The Thomas B. Poole’61 and Family Head Coach of Hobart Hockey.”
Taylor, who took over the team in 2000, is just the fourth man to lead the Hobart hockey program. He is 465-178-56 and won three national championships. Over the last four years, the Statesmen have won 116 games. Taylor has registered at least 10 wins 24 times and produced all 12 of the program’s 20-win seasons. Hobart won a program record 30 games during the 2025-26 season. Taylor has been named the AHCA National Coach of the Year three times and served as the head coach of United States, earning a silver medal, at the FISU World University Games.
Photo at top: Honorary Trustee Thomas B. Poole ’61, P ’91, L.H.D ’06 and Mary Jane Poole P’91, L.H.D. ’25.
