“Quinnipiac has built a legacy of extraordinarily successful men’s and women’s ice hockey teams with outstanding student-athletes who have achieved national postseason wins,” Quinnipiac President Judy D. Olian said. “I’m very grateful to Hartford HealthCare for recognizing the teams’ all-around excellence and for supporting their future.”

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

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

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

The men’s ice hockey program has won ECAC Hockey’s Cleary Cup as the regular-season champions in seven of the last 11 seasons. The Bobcats also have reached the NCAA Tournament nine times under head coach Rand Pecknold. Overall, Quinnipiac has won 12 Division I NCAA Tournament games and made three appearances in the Frozen Four, culminating in the program’s first national championship in April. President Biden will recognize the team during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on June 12.

The women’s ice hockey team recently completed a stellar 2022-23 season, tying 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 consecutive year under head coach Cassandra Turner.

“The coaches and student-athletes in our intercollegiate ice hockey programs are tremendous representatives for Bobcat Nation with their distinctions in the classroom, on the ice and in the community,” said Greg Amodio, director of athletics. “The Excellence Fund is a vital resource to help the programs stay competitive in recruiting, academic support, student-athlete well-being, professional development and team resources.”

Pecknold said, “We’re extremely grateful to partners like Hartford HealthCare. These funds will have a substantial positive impact on both the present and future successes of our program as we continue to compete for championships.”

Turner also was appreciative. “Thank you to Hartford HealthCare for taking the lead to start an important initiative for our hockey programs,” she said. “Having the necessary resources to create an environment that will allow us to develop our athletes, create a winning culture and attract elite recruits is vital to our continued success.”

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

Learn more about how you can invest in the ongoing successes of Quinnipiac men’s and women’s ice hockey student-athletes