UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- When Ellen Bradley came to the Penn State campus in the mid-1990's, there was something missing that she looked to change.
Bradley, a graduate student at the time, played a major role in the founding of the Penn State women's hockey club program in 1996. After playing as an undergraduate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, she was looking for a way to play in Happy Valley and did what was needed to make that happen.
Her hard work paid off on February 1, 1997, when the Penn State Lady Icers defeated the Susquehanna Rockettes in the program's first ever game. Over twenty years later women's hockey is a varsity sport on campus, but much of its history would not exist without Ellen Bradley. GoPSUsports.com had the chance to catch up with Bradley and reflect on her time as a player.
GoPSUsports.com: What inspired you to begin the women's hockey program at Penn State University?
Ellen Bradley: When I got to Penn State there was only one intramural league for hockey, which was checking. I wanted to continue with the sport and find a way I could do so. At the time Penn State did not have a women's league and I wanted to change that. I was told to recruit some players to see if we could form a team.
GoPSUsports.com: How did you recruit players for the team?
EB: I hung up posters throughout the campus stating I was looking to form a team. I then started getting phone calls from students who were interested in playing. From there I was able to form a list of potential players and get the ball rolling!
GoPSUsports.com: What is one of your most memorable moments from being on the Penn State's women's hockey team?
EB: The most memorable moment for me, was coming to the first practice and seeing how many people were interested in playing. For some of them, it was their first time on the ice. It was amazing to see the willingness of so many people who love watching the sport and who wanted to try it out. It was at that moment I realized we formed the first women's team!
GoPSUsports.com: How did your club hockey career shape you into the person you are today?
EB: One of the benefits of starting off at a club level was how each player took on different responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities included scheduling, budgeting, managing travel, and equipment. In addition to organizational skill-building, we built on our management skills. In a sense, this brought us closer as a team, compared to others where a players' only focus is to play. I continue to use the organizational and management skills I learned as a player to this day.
GoPSUsports.com: Who at Penn State University made the greatest impact on you as a player and in your personal life?
EB: Vinny Scalamogna made the greatest impact on my life. At the time he was assistant manager and program director for the Penn State ice pavilion. When I questioned him about starting a women's team, he told me to get him the players. From there he volunteered to be our coach and really got the program running. He scheduled our practices and games.
GoPSUsports.com: As one of the founding members, where would you like to see the program go?
EB: As an undergraduate student I played for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. At the time, the school was Division I for men's ice hockey. The women's program there was founded in the early 80s. With hockey being the only Division I sport at the school, it was embraced by all the students. I would love to see the culture of the Penn State women's hockey team continue to grow and be recognized on that level.
GoPSUsports.com: How have you stayed in contact with the program over the years?
EB: The alumni outreach program has done an amazing job of keeping us connected to the team. I get emails from the coaches with team updates and alumni events. In the past before the coronavirus pandemic, they even arranged alumni weekends. I was also given a tour of the Pegula Ice Arena when it first opened. I was completely blown away by that experience and the setup the varsity players have now.
GoPSUsports.com: Do you have any advice for the current Penn State women's hockey players?
EB: My advice for the current players is to truly enjoy the moment. Try and take everything in as a whole and appreciate your time on the ice.
GoPSUsports.com: What do you enjoy most about watching the Penn State women's hockey team play today?
EB: I enjoy watching the level these women are playing at. The program has come so far since my time at Penn State!
