Alan Murdoch, head coach of the ISU men’s hockey team, resigned Monday as the coordinator of sports clubs at Iowa State, a position he held throughout much of his 34-year ISU career.

Murdoch will remain the coach of the hockey team. A phone call to Murdoch’s home was not returned Tuesday night.

“It is a personnel matter and is confidential,” said Mike Harvey, director of recreation services. Sports clubs — non-varsity teams which represent Iowa State and compete locally, regionally and nationally — are a part of the recreation services department.

Murdoch’s job as sports club coordinator was a half-time appointment. He is also a half-time assistant professor of health and human performance.

Jerry Thomas, professor and chairman of health and human performance, could not be reached Tuesday to determine if Murdoch’s status had changed within the department.

Murdoch volunteers his time to the men’s hockey program. The Cyclones have won two American Collegiate Hockey Association national championships, and Murdoch has coached the men’s team to more than 700 wins. He was also a co-founder of the college hockey organization and its first president.

“He told us yesterday in the locker room,” said Jared Marean, a senior forward on the men’s hockey team and junior in communication studies. He is the representative for the team to the Sports Club Council, which oversees club sports at Iowa State.

“The team was kind of down, but we still want him to coach [us],” Marean said. “He knows how to run a team and a program and take it to the top.”

Marean said Murdoch didn’t offer any details of his resignation, and Harvey said he was unable to give any. Harvey also declined to say whether Murdoch’s departure was expected.

“We absolutely want to have the absolute best sports club programs,” Harvey said.

Harvey said he will assume Murdoch’s duties on an interim basis, although Harvey already worked closely with club sports.

Murdoch came to Iowa State in 1969 as a graduate student, earning a master’s degree in 1970 and later a doctorate in 1984.

He has worked with both intramurals and club sports during his career.