Robert Morris University Women's Hockey
Robert Morris University (RMU) is a private university in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, United States, which has been offering women's hockey programs since 2002. The women's hockey team at RMU is known as the Colonial women's hockey team, a team that has established itself as one of the top teams in the country. With a focus on empowering women to excel on and off the ice, the team has seen immense success both athletically and academically.
A Brief History of Robert Morris University Women's Hockey Team
The RMU women's hockey team was founded in 2002 by now-retired coach Paul Colontino. Initially, the team played in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). However, in 2005, the team became a Division I NCAA program and joined the College Hockey America (CHA) Conference. Since then, the team has had a string of successful seasons, including wins in the CHA tournament in 2012 and 2017.
Under the leadership of Colontino, the RMU women's hockey team earned an impeccable reputation for academic excellence. The team won the Team Academic Award from the American Women's Hockey Association nine times between 2002 and 2013. In addition, in the summer of 2018, the Colonials women's hockey team was honored by the NCAA for maintaining a perfect multi-year score of 1000 in the Academic Progress Rate (APR) metric. This metric measures the academic performance of student-athletes over a specific period.
RMU Women's Hockey Team Today
Today, the RMU women's hockey team is coached by Paul Colontino's successor, former Olympian and two-time NCAA champion, Courtney Kessel. The team is a member of the College Hockey America (CHA) Conference and has a roster of players from the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Russia.
The team has played a total of 19 seasons, with the most recent season taking place in 2020-2021. Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the team continued to excel both academically and athletically. The squad earned a cumulative GPA of 3.78 for the 2020-2021 academic year, which is an all-time high for the program. The team also clinched a ninth-place finish in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll for the 2020-2021 season.
Life as a RMU Women's Hockey Player
Playing for the RMU women's hockey team is no easy feat. The team has a rigorous training regimen, which includes practicing six days a week for several hours. The players are also required to balance their academics with their athletic commitments. However, the team ensures that its players receive the support they need to excel both on and off the ice.
The RMU women's hockey team has a team of dedicated coaches and trainers who work tirelessly to ensure the players are physically and mentally prepared for each game. The team also has an academic support program that provides resources such as tutoring and academic advising to help players excel in their studies.
Playing for the RMU women's hockey team is an excellent opportunity for female athletes who are passionate about hockey and seeking to excel academically. The team provides its players with the resources and guidance they need to develop their skills and achieve their full potential.
Conclusion
The RMU women's hockey team has established itself as one of the top teams in the country, with a focus on empowering women to excel on and off the ice. The team has had a string of successful seasons both athletically and academically, and the players receive the support they need to excel in both areas. Playing for the RMU women's hockey team is an excellent opportunity for female athletes who are passionate about hockey and seeking to excel academically.