A Conversation with LSSU Athletic Director Tory Lindley

Over the past year and a half, Lake Superior State University has made significant investments in the future of Laker Hockey. From enhanced student-athlete support services to operational improvements and recruiting resources, the program has undergone a profound transformation. LSSULakers.com sat down with Director of Athletics Tory Lindley to discuss the progress being made and the vision for the future of Laker Hockey.

LSSULakers.com: How has the student-athlete experience been enhanced over the past year to year and a half?

Lindley: Frankly, I'm not sure what hasn't changed.

One of the most important steps was achieving leadership alignment across the University around our growth goals, and those goals absolutely include the future of Laker Hockey. Once that alignment was established, we were able to move forward in a number of meaningful ways that directly impact our student-athletes.

We introduced individualized game jersey numbers, which may seem simple but allows players to build their own identity within the program. We also entered a new partnership with CCM as our equipment and apparel provider, which ensures our players are outfitted with elite level gear.

Another exciting addition has been our annual alternate game uniforms, which allowed us to celebrate the United States Coast Guard and the important relationship that exists here in Sault Ste. Marie.

Beyond those visible changes, we have significantly enhanced the daily experience for our players. We now provide daily performance nutrition and training table meals, ensuring that our student-athletes are fueling their bodies properly for both performance and recovery. We have also implemented player on-ice GPS tracking technology, which helps our staff manage player workload and optimize performance throughout the season.

All of these initiatives are designed to support our players in every aspect of their development.
 
LSSULakers.com: You have also invested in new staff members. How have those new positions impacted the program?

Lindley: The people around our student-athletes are incredibly important, and we made a very intentional decision to strengthen our support structure.

We have expanded academic support services to ensure our players are positioned for success in the classroom. At the same time, we added a performance dietitian who works closely with the team to help players understand how nutrition supports performance and recovery.

From an operational standpoint, the addition of an Assistant General Manager has been very important as the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve. That role helps coordinate travel, process game analytics, and assist in strategic planning alongside the coaching staff.

We have also invested in hockey specific strength and conditioning and athletic training services so that our players are receiving sport-specific performance and medical care. Those areas are critical to long term development and injury prevention.

Finally, we added a digital content and social media coordinator dedicated to Laker Hockey. That role allows us to better tell the story of the program, highlight our student-athletes, and connect with fans and recruits around the world with our wonderful University.

Each of these positions plays an important role in strengthening the overall ecosystem of Laker Hockey.

LSSULakers.com: How has Laker Hockey advanced in a day-to-day sense?

Lindley: A major focus has been improving operational efficiency so that Coach Whitten and his staff can spend more time doing what matters most, developing student-athletes.

We have implemented several programmatic efficiencies that streamline administrative tasks and allow our staff to focus more directly on player development and recruiting.

We have also upgraded our technology in several areas. Our coaching staff now has access to improved game film analysis tools as well as advanced analytics software that provides deeper insights into performance and strategy.

Another area we addressed was team travel. We made critical adjustments designed to improve preparation, reduce missed class time, and promote recovery for our players. Those decisions may not always be visible to fans, but they make a meaningful difference in how our athletes perform and how they manage the demands of being a college student.

LSSULakers.com: Are you surprised that on-ice performance this past season looks very similar to 2024-25?

Lindley: We share the same goals as every Laker alum and fan. We strive to compete for championships.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that our investment in Laker Hockey had waned for far too long. Over the past two years we needed to engage and activate a strategic plan that dramatically improved our resources, while also investing directly in the student-athlete experience.

We have done that.

Because of those improvements, we can now tell a very different story when we are recruiting talented young men to Lake Superior State. The facilities, the support services, the technology, and the overall commitment to the program all matter when prospects are evaluating where they want to play.

That message is being heard by players across North America and throughout the world. While the results on the scoreboard this past season were disappointing, the work being done behind the scenes has established a tremendously strong foundation for future success.

LSSULakers.com: That's fair. So, what are the next steps toward the program's future success?

Lindley: Talent acquisition is our number one priority.

We are fortunate to have a new General Manager in Ryan Shelley who is doing outstanding work in a highly organized and aggressive fashion alongside Coach Whiten and our coaching staff. Together they are building a recruiting strategy that reaches talented players wherever great hockey is played.

We have also enhanced the recruiting budget to ensure that our staff has the resources necessary to maintain a truly global recruiting footprint.

Another important factor in today's landscape is our ability to be competitive nationally when it comes to revenue sharing opportunities for student-athletes. That is an area we have strengthened so that Laker Hockey can remain competitive in attracting and retaining elite talent.

To be clear, we believe in our ability to compete for championships. Laker Hockey has achieved great things in the past, and we are determined to reach those heights again.

We are no longer the little engine that could. We are building a program capable of competing at the highest level, and we believe, wholeheartedly, that our success will once again be one of the great pride points for this University and for the Sault Ste. Marie community. Go Lakers!