Bathelmess looks back at collegiate career
Former Methacton standout pleased to have found ice time at Plymouth State
Many local hockey players use this time of year to work on improving certain aspects of their game while keeping in top condition prior to returning to the ice with their college or professional team in September.
That is not the case for Chad Barthelmess, who is looking forward to the next phase of his life while the game on ice is rendered little more than a form of recreation.
The 25-year-old Norristown native wrapped up his collegiate career earlier this spring while serving as an assistant captain at Plymouth State. The responsibility that came with the “A” stitched on his jersey is one that he intends to carry into the business world.
“It helped me in every facet possible,” said Barthelmess, who in late July or early August will head to Stratford, Conn. to work in the development office of One-Stream Software. “It is great working with others and I like taking the lead on things. Being one of the captains on a competitive hockey
“I like taking the lead on things. Being one of the captains on a competitive hockey team was about getting the job done and achieving a goal. That translated into the academic experience and whatever I am going to do in life.” – Methacton graduate Chad Barthelmess
team was about getting the job done and achieving a goal. That translated into the academic experience and whatever I am going to do in life.”
The six-foot, 200-pound forward attended Methacton and suited up for the Valley Forge Minutemen and the Jr. Flyers. After graduating high school Barthelmess spent three seasons playing junior in New England before going the college route.
He played two uneventful seasons at Sacred Heart (Conn.) University. The Pioneers are a Division I program in the Atlantic Hockey Association and it would be an understatement to suggest they have struggled in recent seasons. They were a combined 8-58-7 in Barthelmess’ two seasons with the team, which included a 2-30-4 eyesore in his sophomore season of 2012-13.
It was after that dreadful season Barthelmess said “they pressed the panic button” and made some changes. Those changes included removing a portion of his scholarship money, which the school had a right to do. Still, that left him with a financial obligation he was not expecting at a school that now costs about $20,000 per semester.
While Barthelmess enjoyed his time at Sacred Heart, he felt it was in his best interests to look elsewhere. Though Plymouth State is a Division-III program, it is one that is very strong and has new facilities.
“I didn’t want to strap myself with loans coming out of college,” he said. “I decided to make the jump, plus I wanted to go to a winning program. I got the best of both worlds when I moved to Plymouth. We had great fan support, a great rink, an amazing coaching staff and great academic support.”
While Barthelmess had to adjust to a new campus setting and new teammates and coaches midway though his collegiate career, it proved to be a good fit. For that he credited coach Craig Russell, a former Plymouth player who never left the program.
“Coach Russell knows how to find the perfect balance between coaching and being your friend,” said Barthelmess, who scored 21 goals in two seasons with the Panthers. “There was never any problem walking into his office. He was very approachable and is the nicest guy in the world. He made everything very easy for me up there.”
Barthelmess knows it will not be easy breaking into the business world. The business administration major, who minored in sales, might ultimately find a niche in pushing a product at some point.
“Sales would be fun as long as I am selling a product I am interested in and I believe in.” he said. “At some point I would like to make enough money to be an entrepreneur, but I know I will have to grind it out for at least a few years to get to that point.”
While he will soon embark on the next chapter of his life, Barthelmess is not about to entirely give up the game he loves. He will stay connected with the sport on men’s leagues at Oaks Ice Arena.
“There is no way I am going to hang it up altogether,” he said. “I already miss the sport too much.”