GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College Interim Head Ice Hockey Coach Kate Gallagher announced that she is stepping down from her position to pursue other professional opportunities.
 
"Coach Gallagher has been integral to the implementation and growth of Heron ice hockey," says Deb Steward, associate vice president and director of athletics and recreation. "She has helped build the foundation of this program and we are grateful for her commitment to our student-athletes."
 
A national search for a new head ice hockey coach will begin immediately.
 
Gallagher joined the Heron coaching staff prior to the start of the program's inaugural season, 2014-15. As an assistant coach from 2014-20, she helped William Smith post a 70-71-15 record across six seasons. Gallagher helped the program grow from three wins in its inaugural campaign to back-to-back 18-win seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
 
Gallagher was named interim head coach in June of 2020 and guided the program through the pandemic.
 
William Smith players have earned 18 all-conference nods during Gallagher's tenure. Most notably, she mentored 2016-17 ECAC West Defensive Player of the Year, goalie Maggie Salmon. The following year, Salmon ranked sixth in the nation in save percentage and 17th in GAA.
 
In addition to the success on the ice, the Herons have also excelled in the classroom, earning 60 conference all-academic awards and 16 AHCA All-American Scholar Awards.
 
Before joining the Herons, Gallagher served as an assistant coach at Plymouth State and Union.
 
A 2012 graduate of Union with a bachelor's degree in neuroscience, Gallagher was a four-year member of the Dutchwomen's Division I hockey team.