From The Lantern January 9, 1997:

Women's club seeks new status

By Kim Chatfield

Lantern sports writer

In order to gain financial support from Ohio State and a more organized schedule, the OSU women's hockey club is applying for varsity status.

The club formed seven years ago, said Roger Verny, who is in his second year as the team's coach.

By applying for varsity status, the team is following a trend in college hockey, he said.

Minnesota's women's hockey team recently received varsity status.

The club needs to fill out an application to be reviewed by the Athletic Council, said Susan Henderson, the human resources director of the Athletic Department.

The OSU women's team started playing in a newly formed Midwest league this year.

Karen Karamanoukian, a second year member of the team, is heading the application process.

She cited the increasing popularity of hockey as the reason the team decided to apply now.

"The number of people playing hockey in the United States has tripled," Karamanoukian said.

The OSU team will host the first National Collegiate Women's Club Championship held in two years and the first women's Olympic hockey team will be a part of the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Karamanoukian said some of the benefits of receiving varsity status would be free ice time at the OSU ice rink, uniforms, equipment and transportation to the games.

"The women in the club make all of the decisions concerning the club, and decided to apply for varsity status," Verny said. "They decided it was the right time to go for it."

The team will play Michigan State in its next two games at 7 p.m., Jan 11 and 12 p.m., Jan.12 at the OSU ice rink.