Kate Gallagher will serve as the interim head coach for William Smith Ice Hockey for the 2020-21 season. She spent the previous six seasons as an assistant coach for the Herons.
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"Kate's experiences as an assistant coach as well as an outstanding Division I goalie have prepared her to lead our Heron hockey program," Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Deb Steward said. "With her knowledge of our talented, returning student-athletes and incoming class, ability to develop players, and her passion for and knowledge of the game, I look forward to the future of William Smith hockey with Kate behind the bench."
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Since the program's inception, Gallagher has played an integral role in shaping William Smith's success on and off the ice. Her responsibilities have included recruiting, scouting opponents, running the defense on game day, breaking down game video, coaching skill day drill sessions, assisting with practice planning, academic monitoring, and serving as the goalie coach. During her time on campus, the Herons have grown from a three-win debut season in 2014-15 to a program record 18 wins in each of the past two seasons.
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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.
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Gallagher served as an assistant coach at Plymouth State and Union before joining the Herons.
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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. The record-breaking goalie eclipsed the Union season marks for GAA (2.15) and save percentage (.937) as a senior and graduated with the GAA (2.61) and save percentage (.924) career records as well. Gallagher was named the team's most valuable player following both her junior and senior seasons.
