Hartford HealthCare makes a donation to establish a hockey fund

HAMDEN – Hartford HealthCare has contributed a lead gift of $250,000 to establish the Quinnipiac Ice Hockey Excellence Fund, according to an announcement made today by Quinnipiac Athletics. The purpose of the fund is to strengthen support for strategic initiatives of the men’s and women’s hockey programs.

Quinnipiac has built a legacy of exceptionally successful men’s and women’s ice hockey teams with outstanding student-athletes who have achieved national postseason victories, Quinnipiac President Judy D. Olian said. I am very grateful to Hartford HealthCare for recognizing the excellent quality of the teams and supporting their future.

Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, said this donation builds on a transformative, university-wide academic partnership announced last year between HHC and Quinnipiac. The two partners are working together to grow the state’s healthcare workforce and create more opportunities for students in a variety of careers.

Hartford HealthCares’ partnership with Quinnipiac University is designed to support students and provide opportunities to build tomorrow’s workforce, Flaks said. This important initiative further supports the well-being of student-athletes in the classroom and on the ice.

Quinnipiac has an outstanding record on the national stage in both men’s and women’s hockey, including ECAC Hockey regular season and conference championships and numerous NCAA Tournament appearances.

The men’s hockey program has won the ECAC Hockeys Cleary Cup as regular season champions in seven of the last 11 seasons. The Bobcats have also made the NCAA tournament nine times under head coach Rand Pecknold. Overall, QU has won 12 Division I NCAA Tournament games and made three Frozen Four appearances, culminating in the program’s first national championship in April. The group will be recognized in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on June 12.

The women’s hockey team recently completed a stellar 2022-2023 season, setting a program record with 30 wins. The Bobcats reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time and won a first-round game for the second straight year under head coach Cassandra Turner.

The coaches and student-athletes of our intercollegiate hockey programs are tremendous representatives of Bobcat Nation in the classroom, on the ice and in the community, said Director of Athletics Greg Amodio. The Excellence Fund is a vital resource that helps programs remain competitive in terms of recruiting, academic support, student-athlete welfare, professional development and team resources.

Pecknold said: We were very grateful for partners like Hartford HealthCare. These funds will have a significant positive impact on both the current and future success of our program as we continue to compete for championships.

Turner was also grateful. “Thank you to Hartford HealthCare for taking the lead and starting an important initiative for our hockey programs,” he said. Creating the necessary resources to create an environment that allows us to develop our athletes, create a winning culture and attract elite players is vital to our continued success.

The Quinnipiac Ice Hockey Excellence Fund reflects the ongoing commitment of the university and its partners to strengthening QU’s nationally renowned Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey programs.

Those inspired to invest in the success of Quinnipiac’s men’s and women’s hockey student-athletes can learn more at qu.edu/hockeyexcellencefund.