The silence of Fitchburg State University’s Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge was broken not by a debate, but by a definitive, unanimous "yes" that changed the trajectory of Fitchburg State athletics forever. In a historic session, the Board of Trustees officially greenlit the establishment of women’s ice hockey to the university’s 18th varsity sport, transforming a student-led dream into an NCAA reality. As the final vote was tallied, the joyous tears of the club players standing in the wings served as a powerful testament to their journey—from a grassroots effort to a cornerstone of the Falcons’ future. This commitment doesn’t just add a team to the roster; it solidifies a new era of opportunity and competitive growth for women on the ice at the university.
“It was so exciting to hear everyone say so many amazing things that they're looking forward to in the program,” said senior Fitchburg State University Ice Hockey Club Vice President and environmental science major Sophia Yates, who also played field hockey and lacrosse for the Falcons. “When they started to go through the vote, everyone said yes, and that made my heart skip a beat. Everything that we had worked for had officially been completed. I could only think about the new opportunities that this was going to lead to.
“We missed our field hockey practice to go to this voting,” said Yates. “What I remember the most from this was after going through what this would mean for Fitchburg State, one of the Board of Trustees (Shane Rodriguez) gave this speech about how it was now for women's ice hockey. He kept emphasizing that there was a change in women's sports and that if we want to catch this wave, we need to change now. It was so inspirational and made me feel like what we had been working for was going to be so much bigger than we even knew it.”
There is an ongoing nationwide search for a full-time head women’s varsity ice hockey coach. Once hired, the coach can immediately begin recruiting student-athletes. The varsity team is slated to take the ice in 2027.
The board’s vote on Oct. 30 wasn't just a win—it was history in the making for women's ice hockey, a crowning achievement that will forever be celebrated. For several members of the club ice hockey team, including the dedicated 2025-2026 executive board, this winter season marks a deeply cherished milestone, setting a powerful new legacy for which they are profoundly thankful.
“For the past year-and-a-half we have put so much time and effort into building up this club program so it could eventually transition into becoming Fitchburg State's 18th varsity sport,” said treasurer and business administration major with an accounting concentration Carley McCaie. “Ice hockey has always been something that I grew up with, so it is extremely cool to be able to watch this happen. With the help of each other we were able to accomplish so much. I can’t wait to see what happens next and how much more support women’s ice hockey receives.”
The unanimous vote solidified the Board’s commitment to the growth and diversity of the student experience, as women’s ice hockey will attract talented and new students and cultivate a new tradition on campus.
"The approval of women's varsity hockey isn't merely the creation of a new team; it is a declaration of future ambition,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “Every skater who takes the ice will be carving out a pathway for the next generation, transforming potential into powerhouse. This reinforces our commitment to providing truly equitable opportunities and solidifies the incredible momentum that is currently driving women’s athletics forward at Fitchburg State."
Adding women's ice hockey is a significant and strategic advancement for Fitchburg State athletics. We're proudly joining the momentum of one of the country's fastest-growing sports, creating meaningful, competitive opportunities for female student-athletes. We look forward to building a team that perfectly embodies the spirit and values of our university.
Driven by an unwavering passion for the game, the club players successfully demonstrated the need for a higher-level program, their sustained commitment finally culminating in the university's decision to establish women's ice hockey as a varsity sport.
“When we started the club program this has always been our goal,” said senior Fitchburg State University Ice Hockey Club President Sami Yates, a business administration major with a concentration in management. “Having accomplished it in a few short years still feels like I am dreaming.”
Fitchburg State club ice hockey coach Sarah Craig said that a lot of the work in those early stages happened behind the scenes drafting documents, managing logistics, rebuilding interest, and navigating policies.
“It was challenging, especially because there were times when I didn’t have a voice in decisions that directly affected the team,” said Craig. “This program only became a reality because of the players who stepped up alongside me.”
Craig points to the monumental efforts of current executive boards members, Sami Yates (president), Sophie Yates (vice president) and McCaie (treasurer), as driving forces to push women’s varsity ice hockey into the forefront on campus.
“They weren’t just student-athletes, they were advocates, leaders, and the heart of this push,” said Craig. “Their desire and character showed in every early morning 6 a.m. practice, every SGA meeting they had to skip field hockey practice for, and every moment when they spoke up for what they believed in. We made people pay attention. Sami and Sophie were the first to stand beside me, helping rebuild the club from the ground up. When Carley joined, she brought commitment that strengthened our momentum. The three of them became essential voices presenting, planning, recruiting, and advocating when I couldn’t be in the room.
“I’ve never been more proud of a group of athletes,” said Craig. “Their determination is the reason we are here today. Now the vibe within the team is electric. A collective hunger for what comes next. We know we’re part of history.”
Craig said that this journey wasn’t easy and there were moments of frustration because the process to advance talks to a varsity sport moved slowly. But all the hard work behind the scenes is well worth it now.
“There were times when it felt like no matter how strong our case was, we might not get the outcome we hoped for,” said Craig. “But what kept us pushing forward was the reason we started this in the first place. The girls who deserved the opportunity we didn't get, the athletes who would stay in school because they had a team to play for, the students who would find community, the young girls who would see that Fitchburg State valued them. That vision was bigger than the challenges.
“Looking back, I hope our team’s legacy is about far more than wins or losses on the ice,” said Craig. “That being unapologetically passionate matters and you cannot expect change unless you’re willing to speak up for it.”
Sami Yates admitted that there were many times when everyone wanted to give up.
“The numbers of girls we had, gaining traction and fundraising money was difficult but with every small victory came a glimmer of hope, and gave us a reason to keep trying,” she said. “While no one was against us, I never thought it would be this difficult to not only start a club team but continue to keep it going, gain traction and gain respect from athletics.”
The support from the university, especially Fitchburg State University Director of Athletics and Recreation Matt Burke and President Hodge, was crucial in turning the future into reality, said Craig.
“They have been behind this effort from the beginning, and their belief in the players made all the difference,” said Craig. “They pushed the conversation forward when progress felt slow. Staff members across athletics, admissions, and student engagement also played key roles. People who saw the value of the team’s effort and advocated for us in rooms where players themselves couldn’t be present.”
The program is set to hit the ice as a varsity sport for the 2027-2028 season. The inaugural Fitchburg State University roster will feature incoming freshmen, current students and transfers. The Fitchburg State women’s ice hockey club will continue to operate and there will be an increase in the number of games at the club level in 2026-2027.
"Adding women's ice hockey is a significant and strategic advancement for Fitchburg State athletics," said Burke. "We're proudly joining the momentum of one of the country's fastest-growing sports, creating meaningful, competitive opportunities for female student-athletes. We look forward to building a team that perfectly embodies the spirit and values of our university."
These current club players are the founding pioneers of the new varsity women's ice hockey program, forever etching their dedication into the university's history as the group whose sustained effort paved the way for future generations of student-athletes. The current players and future varsity players will become role models for young girls in the community who aspire to play collegiate hockey.
“To personally be a pioneer and have a big role in this means the world to me,” said Sami Yates. “My goal as a person has always been to leave my mark everywhere I go. Whether that is influencing the people around me, starting a club team, or just making someone's day. I am proud of myself and all the people that helped us to be able to say I was a part of this accomplishment.”
“It means a lot to me to know that I can leave this school with something greater than just myself,” said Sophia Yates. “I’m leaving this school with not just a degree, but helping change women's sports.”
The Fitchburg State women’s varsity ice hockey program will give aspiring female student-athletes a new opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division 3 level, and marks a significant commitment to growing women’s athletics on campus.
Fitchburg State will compete in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) against Worcester State, Salem State, Framingham State, Rivier, Anna Maria and Mass. College of Liberal Arts.
The women’s team will play its home games at the Wallace Civic Center – also the home of the men’s ice hockey team. The women will have their own locker room space, ice time for games and practices, and use of the Landry Arena – a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning and indoor practice facility.
“When joining a collegiate sport, you are joined into a family,” said Sophia Yates. “I found my family at Fitchburg State.”
Craig said that she’s grateful, proud and deeply moved for the women on this team who have believed this program deserved to exist.
“I hope our story motivates someone to start a new team, push for equity, or amplify voices that have been unheard,” said Craig. “Ultimately, I want our legacy to be a reminder that women’s sports matter, that inclusion matters, and that one group of committed individuals can change the course of a university’s athletic culture for generations to come. This was long overdue. Women's sports have always mattered, and we were just a little late to the game. It’s OK; what matters is that we showed up, created the space, and made it possible for the generations that follow.”