Mass Hockey's Mike "Sarge" Cheever's — USA Hockey 2006 Wm. Thayer Tutt Award Winner

by Bob Rogers — masshockey.com

For more than 40 years, the name Mike Cheever has been synonymous with Mass Hockey. As an administrator, coach, board member and officer, Cheever has contributed to the growth of the sport on a number of levels.

Cheever previously served on the Catholic Youth Organization Athletic Advisory Board for the Greater Boston area and held the position of CYO Hockey Commissioner. He also served as the president and a coach of the Boston CYO league.

For the past 17 years, Cheever has served as a District Director from Massachusetts (1989-2006). He has been an associate registrar for Mass Hockey since 1996, and has also served as the selects commissioner. In addition, Cheever has been the on-site tournament director for many events.

A member of USA Hockey's Youth Council for 13 years (1991-2004), Cheever served as team leader for the 2002 U.S. Under-17 Select Team that won a gold medal at the Five Nations Tournament in the Czech Republic. He also directed the 2003 USA Hockey Select 15 player development camp in St. Cloud, Minn.

Locally, Cheever is the president of the Salem-Swampscott youth hockey league. A coach in the league for over 40 years, Cheever was instrumental in merging the Salem and Swampscott programs. He has also served on the disciplinary board and was the director of hockey operations for the program.

Recognized by his peers for keeping "fun" in the game, and staying involved at the local level, Cheever has coached hundreds of kids over the years. One former player, Mark De Vincent, writes in a tribute to Cheever, "Thanks, Cheese - you have given me a life lesson that has stuck with me. 'Many times what you give is far more enjoyable than what you get."

Mike and his wife, Mickey, have four daughters; Eleanor, Erin, Rose and Joanne. They are also grandparents of seven; Joe, Keila, Kaylie, Kyle, Jaylin, Jordan and Anthony.