Joe Gerarden has been announced as the next head coach of the Marian University women’s ice hockey program.

Gerarden has been a name synonymous with hockey in the Green Bay, Wis. area for more than a decade. He has served as the director of youth hockey with the Green Bay Area Youth Hockey Association since 2020 and most notably served as assistant coach for the Bay Area Ice Bears from 2018-2021, and Head Coach from 2021-2024. He helped turn the Bay Area Ice Bears program around posting a record of 70-12-1 in his three seasons as a head coach. That includes the program’s second WIAA State Championship in 2023 and a runner-up finish in 2024.

“I’m honored to take over the Marian women’s ice hockey program,” said Gerarden. “I’m grateful to Director of Athletics Tony Draves and the entire staff for the opportunity to be part of an institution so committed to excellence. I’m excited to begin an exciting new chapter for the Sabre women’s hockey program. I look forward to supporting our student-athletes on and off the ice along with helping build the foundation for long-term success.”

In the past year, Gerarden has served as the head coach for the Green Bay Bobcats 16U team and as an assistant for the 18U squad. He has also served as a skills coach for 19U and 16U girls playing a key role in the implementation and skill development for upper-level hockey student-athletes.

Gerarden earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from UW-Green Bay.