May 16, 2014
Women’s Ice Hockey: 40 years and thriving
“We bought our own skates and paid for our own sharpening, unless one of the men in the skate shop liked us.”
—Sheryl Percy ’76
Players and coaches from every decade returned to campus in February to celebrate the tradition, success, and camaraderie of the women’s ice hockey program in its first 40 years. The two-day reunion featured a dinner attended by approximately 150 members and friends of the program and the traditional alumni game.
Three of the program’s five head coaches and 11 of the 21 members of the inaugural 1974-75 team were among those who attended the dinner. Remarks were offered by former players Sheryl Percy ’76, Cindy Curley ’85, Sarah Youlen Matthews ’04, and Jessica Vella ’13; current Head Coach Bob Deraney; former head coaches Tom Palamara ’77 (1974-80) and John Marchetti ’71 (1980-94); and Jill M. La Point, executive associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator.
Several of the speakers emphasized the pivotal support the program received in its foundational decade, praising the determination and guidance of administrators like the late Helen Bert, the late Dave Gavitt ’89Hon., and Lou Lamoriello ’63 & ’01Hon. Audience members laughed and rolled their eyes upon hearing recollections of midnight practices with only half the arena lit, and they smiled proudly upon references to the growth and impact Providence College has had on women’s ice hockey nationally and internationally.
Highlights over the first 40 years include:
- PC is one of only two schools to reach the 600-win plateau
- 10 ECAC or Hockey East championships
- 10 Olympians and 7 All-Americans
- More than 45 players and coaches have represented their respective national teams
- Cammi Granato ’93 & ’12Hon. was the first American woman to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as an individual player
- Granato and Cindy Curley ’85 are the only women to be inducted as individuals into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
