After compiling a record of 325–44–3 (.878), Skrypek jumped at the chance to coach collegiate hockey and accepted the job at St. Thomas.
For the first decade of his tenure very little changed on the national circuit but the Tommies established themselves as the dominant power of the MIAC, winning 7 consecutive conference titles.
Five years later the Tommies made their second run in the tournament, again coming up shy, but this time Skrypek was recognized for his accomplishments, receiving the Edward Jeremiah Award for his outstanding coaching performance.
Skrypek retired as a coach following the 2010 season, ending with over 700 victories in both high school and college hockey.
[4] He was inducted into the Saint Mary's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003, and received the Cliff Thompson Award in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to Minnesota Hockey.