Fitchburg State University is proud to announce the appointment of Rebecca Brown as the first head coach of its newly established women’s varsity ice hockey program.
Brown joins the Falcons from Wilkes University, bringing an elite pedigree of collegiate success and international professional experience to lead Fitchburg State into its inaugural season in 2027-2028. Wilkes finished 25-2-1 overall this winter, and fell to Nazareth University, 2-1 in overtime, in a NCAA Division 3 Championship quarterfinal.
The appointment of Brown, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., follows the university’s landmark decision to add women’s ice hockey as its 18th varsity sport.
Brown, a former standout at Utica University and Norwich University, most recently served as an assistant coach at Wilkes University. Her extensive ice hockey background includes a professional playing career in Sweden, Hungary and Germany, as well as a Frozen Four appearance as a student-athlete.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Brown to the Falcon family,” said Fitchburg State University Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation Matt Burke. “Rebecca stood out in our national search as a leader who understands the blueprints of a winning program. Her experience as a captain and coach at the Division 3 level, and a professional athlete makes her the ideal person to build this program from the ground up and recruit student-athletes who will excel both on the ice and in the classroom.”
Brown graduated from Utica University with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 2020, and a master’s degree in healthcare administration in 2022.
As a forward/defenseman, the 6-foot Brown tallied 38 goals and 41 assists for 79 points in her career at Division 3 Utica. She owns the program's 2nd-most career blocked shots (56) and 2nd-best career power-play shot percentage (18.60%).
(Photo courtesy of Utica Athletics)
Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge emphasized that Brown’s hiring is a pivotal moment in the university’s strategic growth.
“Today is a monumental day as we move from the vision of women’s varsity hockey to the reality of its leadership,” said President Hodge. “Coach Brown embodies the dedication and passion we value at Fitchburg State. Her arrival signals our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for female student-athletes and gaining momentum as a powerhouse for women’s athletics in the MASCAC.”
Coach Brown will begin her duties immediately, focusing on a nationwide recruiting effort to build a roster for the 2027–2028 season. The team will share the Wallace Civic Center with the championship-winning men’s program, utilizing the same facilities and the state-of-the-art Landry Arena for strength and conditioning.
“I am incredibly honored, humbled, and excited to take the lead as the first head coach in Fitchburg State history,” said Brown. “This opportunity means a great deal to me, not just professionally but personally, as we begin building something from the ground up.”
The launch of the program comes at a time of explosive growth for the sport. According to the NCAA, participation in women’s ice hockey has surged nearly 40% over the last decade. In Massachusetts alone, the number of girls’ high school teams nearly doubled between 2013 and 2023.
While the varsity program prepares for its 2027-2028 debut, the existing Fitchburg State women’s ice hockey club will continue to operate with an expanded schedule for the 2026-2027 season, serving as a bridge to the varsity era.
Brown said that what stood out about Fitchburg State is the university’s strong support system and commitment to doing things the right way.
“For prospective student-athletes, they can expect a culture of personal accountability, resilience, grit and excellence,” said Brown. “We’re looking for players who are not only talented on the ice but also committed to growing as students and teammates – individuals who want to be part of something historic and help establish the foundation of this program.
“I look forward to recruiting driven, passionate players who are ready to make history as the inaugural Falcons,” said Brown. “This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, and I’m excited to get to work building a program that the university, Division III hockey and community can be proud of.”
Fitchburg State will compete in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference against Worcester State, Salem State, Framingham State, Rivier and Mass. College of Liberal Arts.
The inaugural Fitchburg State University roster in the 2027–2028 season will feature incoming freshmen, current students and transfers.