University of Massachusetts Boston has named Maura Crowell head women’s hockey coach, succeeding Melisa Heitzman.
Crowell, who holds a bachelor’s degree in German from Colgate and a master of arts in teaching from [nl]Connecticut College, becomes the third head coach in the history of the Mass.-Boston program. She spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with Conn. College where she helped guide the Camels to their first-ever playoff appearance. Before that, Crowell served as an assistant coach for the Saint Mark’s School girl’s ice hockey program in Southborough, Mass., and gained head coaching experience as the Lions’ junior varsity lacrosse mentor.
Crowell enjoyed an outstanding collegiate playing career at Colgate before moving onto the coaching ranks. The left wing helped the Raiders to three straight ECAC playoff appearances, including a date in the ECAC Championship as a sophomore, and a 63-37-7 record for an impressive .621 winning percentage in her four seasons. She named an assistant captain for her senior year and was also selected to the ECAC All-Academic team for her final season. She is still prominent in Colgate’s record book, ranking ninth in career points (61), sixth in career goals (29) and ninth in all-time assists (32).
The Mansfield, Mass., native starred at Saint Mark’s School on the prep level, twice leading the Lions ice hockey team in points, while earning captain status for her junior and senior campaigns. She also excelled for the Saint Mark’s field hockey program and led the field hockey and ice hockey teams to the New England Prep School Athletic Conference title during her career.
Crowell has been extremely active in community service, helping to organize a “Big Sister” mentor program for [nl]Hamilton, N.Y., girls playing youth hockey in addition to serving as a counselor at Brantwood Camp in Peterborough, N.H., working with underprivileged adolescent girls in a residential setting, and volunteering in the Special Olympics as a speed skating instructor in Connecticut.
