Paul Smith’s College to Add Women’s Hockey

PAUL SMITHS, NY – The only four-year college in the Adirondacks continued to embrace the culture of the region when Paul Smith’s College announced on December 1 the advent of women’s hockey.

The college made further news when, in conjunction with this new athletic program, it said that Olympic silver medalist Andrea Kilbourne-Hill of Saranac Lake has signed on as director of Hockey. The team will hit the ice for the first time next fall. Its home rink will be the Saranac Lake Civic Center.

Men’s varsity hockey ended in 2003 but currently enjoys club status. Kilbourne-Hill will bring her organizational skills to invigorate both programs.

“It’s a double banner day for us at Paul Smith’s College,” stated Cathy S. Dove, Paul Smith’s College president. “Adding a new sport to our campus, led by someone with Andrea’s resume, is going to be exciting for the North Country, and will certainly be noticed in the women’s college hockey world.”

The initiative to include women’s hockey was spurred by Chairman Emeritus Phil Saunders, who spends much of each summer in the High Peaks region.

“I’m excited to help bring women’s hockey to Paul Smith’s College,” says Kilbourne-Hill. “I see the addition of a women’s hockey team at Paul Smith’s as a win-win. It’s a win for Paul Smith’s College. Adding a women’s hockey team will bring driven and motivated female students onto this beautiful campus.”

The addition of a women’s hockey team is also a win for women’s hockey in general. Collegiate hockey is competitive and many very good youth players aren’t able to play at the college level. The Paul Smith’s team will provide more opportunity for these players to continue to play the game they love.”

Kilbourne-Hill attended Northwood School in Lake Placid, won an Olympic silver medal with USA Hockey at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, and graduated from Princeton University in 2003. While playing collegiately for the Tigers, Kilbourne-Hill was a candidate for the Patty Kazmaier Award, given annually to the top women’s college hockey player. She was also a three-time Most Valuable Player at Princeton. Kilbourne-Hill served as head coach at Lake Placid High School, Northwood School and for USA Hockey at National Player Development Festivals.

“Andrea has seen it all as a player and a coach,” continued Dove. “Paul Smith’s College feels very fortunate that we can bring in a person with the complete experience that she has.”

“Given our proximity to Lake Placid and the nature of our academic majors, it seems women’s ice hockey is a nice addition to the athletic program and the college in general,” remarks Paul Smith’s College Athletic Director Jim Tucker. “Having someone of Andrea’s background and knowledge of the women’s international ice hockey world will enhance the potential of bringing in international women’s players from the get-go.”

About Paul Smith’s College
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. The college is the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Programs—in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences—draw on available local industries and resources while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit paulsmiths.edu.

Featured

  • Kimball Showroom Earns WELL Certified Platinum Distinction

    Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently announced that its showroom in New York City has achieved WELL Certification at the Platinum level as dictated by the International WELL Building Institute, according to a news release. The certification demonstrates a continuing commitment to creating environments that promote health, well-being, and productivity.

  • California High School Starts Construction on STEAM, Music Buildings

    Tamalpais High School, part of the Tamalpais Union High School District, recently broke ground on two new major facilities for its campus in Mill Valley, Calif., according to a news release. The district is partnering with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Lathrop Construction Associates for the Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and Music Buildings, both replacing their outdated counterparts.

  • University of Kansas Opens $400M Football Stadium Reconstruction

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently announced that the $400-million reconstruction of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is complete in time for the 2025 football season, according to a news release. The university partnered with Turner Construction Company on the project.

  • Anderson Brulé Architects Rebrands as ABA Studios

    Anderson Brulé Architects, based in San Jose, Calif., recently announced that it is celebrating 40 years of service by rebranding under a new name, according to a news release. The architectural, interior design, and planning firm will now be known as ABA Studios to refresh its identity underneath a new generation of leadership.

Digital Edition