HAMILTON— Colgate University has extended the contract of Head Women’s Hockey Coach Greg Fargo through 2028.
“Colgate University is a special place made up of incredible people and my family and I are so grateful to be a part of it today and into the foreseeable future,” said Fargo. “We are very proud of the program our student-athletes and staff have built over time. With the help of so many people, today, this is a program where strong team culture and a commitment to excellence exists, both in the classroom and on the ice.”
Currently in his 10th season, Fargo’s squad is ranked sixth in the country at 15-4-1, including a 5-2-1 mark in ECAC Hockey. Colgate’s women’s hockey team has outscored its opponents 87-39, and the team is second in the nation in goals.
“I am thrilled to enter into this mutual commitment extending Coach Fargo’s leadership of the Colgate women’s hockey program well into the future,” said Colgate’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Nicki Moore.
“Coach Fargo has demonstrated excellence as a head coach, leading his student-athletes and dedicated coaching staff members to two NCAA tournaments, reaching the biggest stage at the finals of the 2018 Women’s Frozen Four, and barely missing a semifinal appearance last spring,” she added.
“His program also has a strong academic record with 20 players being named to the ECAC All-Academic team last season.The team is also deeply committed to community service and to their own personal and career development.”
Unforgettable 2020-21 Season
During last year’s abbreviated season, the women’s hockey team clinched the ECAC Hockey regular-season title and won the program’s first ECAC Hockey conference championship, and they were awarded the fourth seed in the NCAA tournament, falling to Minnesota Duluth in overtime in the quarterfinals, and finishing with a 15-7-1 record.
Colgate was dominant on home ice, going 10-2-0 at the Class of 1965 Arena. The Raiders earned six ECAC Hockey postseason honors. Two players were named First Team All-League, while two first-years were tabbed All-Rookie. Fargo also coached the Rookie of the Year and the program’s first-ever Player of the Year. Additionally, he was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.
Fargo’s Continued Success
Since arriving in Hamilton in 2012, Coach Fargo has posted four 20-win seasons and is the program’s all-time wins leader, holding a 176-130-31 record. He has led Colgate to seven
ECAC tournament appearances, including a current streak of six straight.
Fargo has helped the Raiders set numerous program records, including wins in a season—tallying 34 in 2017-18. That year the Raiders won the ECAC Hockey regular-season title for the first time and also clinched the team’s first-ever NCAA tournament appearance, finishing as national runners-up. For his efforts, Fargo was named the Division I National Coach of the Year by both the American Hockey Coaches Association and USCHO.com
“Coach Fargo has done a tremendous job building the program through his leadership. Colgate women’s hockey is nationally recognized and in the pursuit of championships. He has cultivated a program that all alumni, fans, and supporters are proud of,” said Katelyn Parker ’16.
Colgate has had four NWHL draft picks and three Olympians during Fargo’s tenure. Academically, the Raiders have had 10 or more ECAC All-Academic selections in each of the last six seasons.
“Greg’s commitment to recruit the very best, brightest, and most engaging young women who are driven to pursue excellence in every field and every arena is evident in the outcomes they have achieved and in their vibrant team culture,” said Moore. “As a colleague, Greg consistently lives our shared virtues, and he and his staff contribute in many ways to the realization of our vision.”
Annika Zalewski ’18 spoke highly of her former coach and his impact on her decision to come to Colgate, her student-athlete experience, and her life.
“Dating back to the time that I committed to Colgate, he was a huge part of it. I really trusted his vision for the program and where I thought that he could take it,” said Zalewski.
“The team culture was a huge factor. He was able to develop and create this team culture where everyone really cares about each other obviously as players, but as people first and foremost. To me, I think that’s what makes him most special as a coach,” she added.
Jessie Eldridge ’19 also commended Fargo and his mentorship.
“I could not be happier to hear that Coach Fargo is staying in Hamilton. He has developed a championship program, but what I will value even more is how committed he is to helping everyone who walks through the doors of the Class of 1965 Arena grow as students, athletes, and most importantly people. I am forever indebted for his guidance which hasn’t stopped to this day. I know this program is in great hands with him at the wheel.”
