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Harris Inducted into ACHA Hall of Fame

By Zoe M. Harris, 01/10/14, 3:00PM PST

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Zoe Harris will become the first woman inducted into the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Hall of Fame this May in Naples, FL, where she will receive the Builder Award for the Women’s Division. 

Hailing from Barrington, Rhode Island, Zoe played non-varsity ice hockey for the University of Maine (1988 – 1992).

In 1999, she noted the growth of women’s collegiate hockey through the numerous non-varsity teams in existence while coaching the University of Washington’s Men’s ACHA team (1998 – 2004).

Zoe envisioned bringing all the existing teams together under the ACHA banner as well as growing the sport throughout the country.  She proposed the development of a Women’s Division within the ACHA, and convinced the ACHA to support this challenge on April 29, 2000.

Working tirelessly to recruit the first teams into the division, Zoe set the rules and regulations in conjunction with the ACHA Polices and Procedure Manual, hired a commission, set up a committee, defined ranking and disciplinary rules, and planned the National Championship and year end awards.

The new division within the ACHA kicked off Saturday October 14, 2000 with a game between the University of Michigan and the University of Buffalo. Twelve teams composed the division in its first season. Five months later, the first-ever Women’s National Championship took place in Wentzville, MO March 30 – April 1, 2001, and St. Cloud State won the title.

“I want to thank Cindy Dayley, who co-chaired the Women’s Division with me the first year and was a key component to our success, as well as the first commissioner, Erin Russ, and the twelve teams’ coaches and players that helped make it happen. Without all these people, the Women’s Division within the ACHA would not exist today”, says Zoe.

Zoe continued to manage the ACHA Women’s Division as Vice President for 4 years, until she retired from coaching for the University of Washington’s Men’s team; thus, requiring her to resign as Vice President of the Women’s Division by ACHA rule.

During Zoe’s 5 years as Vice President the number of women’s teams grew by 30% and expanded to two divisions. Additionally, Zoe was involved in the re-development of the ACHA website and drove the design of the current ACHA logo.  Upon Zoe’s retirement, the Women’s Division honored her by creating the annual Zoe M. Harris Player of the Year award, which she presents a commemorative watch to the annual recipient in each division.

Living in Seattle, WA Zoe currently volunteers as a Board member for Western Washington Female Hockey Association (WWFHA), where she served previously as a coach. WWFHA is a non-profit association dedicated to growing and promoting girls’ ice hockey in the Pacific Northwest.

WWFHA congratulates Zoe on being a pioneer in female hockey!