In just his second season as a head coach, Brooks led the Purple Eagles to their first ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title and the first NCAA tournament appearance in the program's 43-year history. The team wrapped up the season with a 13-2-4 record, and a 5-1-1 conference mark, both program bests.

Niagara started the year with a 12-game unbeaten streak which was the best start for the program. The feat tied the program's best 12-game unbeaten streak that was accomplished during the 2006 season when the Purps went 5-0-7 midway through the season.

Under the leadership of Brooks, the program also had the MAAC Goalie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 with Brett Petricek and Rene De Zorzi earning that honor, respectively.

The Purple Eagles were ranked in the NSCAA Division I North Atlantic Poll for 12-straight weeks, including taking over the top spot for eight consecutive weeks. Niagara also received national recognition in the NSCAA/Continental Tire National Rankings eight times throughout the season, garnering a program-high 36 total votes during the Nov. 12 poll.

The Regional Coaches of the Year will be joined on the ballot for the NSCAA National Coach of the Year by coaches from each of the four national championship semifinal teams. Winners of the national award will be announced at the NSCAA Awards Banquet, which will be held Friday evening, January 18 at the 2013 Convention in Indianapolis.