Women’s college hockey is coming to the University of Arizona for the 2024-25 season.

In addition, Caitlin Hogan has been named the inaugural head coach for the Wildcats.

“I’m excited to have Caitlin be the first head coach of our women’s team,” said Arizona senior director of campus recreation Troy Vaughn. “She brings knowledge, experience, excitement and such a positive attitude to the job. She is going to be great here at UArizona.

“One of Caitlin’s main goals is not only development of student-athletes here on campus, but to cultivate and grow hockey for women and girls for the entire Tucson community. I could not think of anyone better to do just that than Coach Hogan.”

Hogan, from St. Paul, Minn., and earned a scholarship to play hockey at NCAA Division I St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. She finished as the all-time points leader in program history and obtained a double major in Marketing and Communication. She was the only female in the WCHA to receive the Turner Postgraduate Scholarship, based on grades and athletic performance.

She was chosen to play for the United States from 2008-10 in multiple world championships and two F1H Hockey Women’s Four Nations Cups. She later moved to Long Beach, Calif., in 2010 where she coached for the Anaheim Lady Ducks. In 2015, she opened a training facility while completing a masters degree in Kinesiology. She was then chosen to compete for the United States Olympic Weightlifting Team, where she was a four-time medalist.

“Being named the new head coach for the first-ever University of Arizona Women’s Hockey team is a tremendous honor,” said Hogan. “There is definitely a sense of pride and responsibility in being involved in building the foundation of this new team. I can’t wait to hit the ice.”

The team will compete in ACHA Division I as a part of the Western Women’s Collegiate Hockey League Conference. Initially, games will be played at the Tucson Convention Center before moving to the Mosaic Quarter Ice Plex upon its scheduled opening in late 2025.

If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved with this new program, contact Hogan at caitlinhogan@arizona.edu or visit www.arizonawildcathockey.org/achawd1.

(June 23, 2023)