From The Lantern February 21, 1995:

Breakin' the Ice: Women's club hockey edges toward their goals

Photos and Story by Jennifer Matthews

They have the helmets, the shinguards, the sticks, the hockey skates, and all the determination it takes to be great hockey players.

The only giveaway is the long hair spilling out from under their helmets. They are the 50 members of the OSU women's club hockey team, and their number is growing.

"The club was formed four years ago with only seven members and was given an hour a week in order to practice. There was no place in Columbus for women to play hockey at all," said Louise Mallory, a graduate student from Stoney Creek, Ontario. But as the popularity increased, the team has increased its practice time to three hours a week.

The women play teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, the Harvard Women's varsity team, New Hampshire Women's varsity team and many other schools. One weekend a month they travel to play at other schools or tournaments, with four home games each month. The club includes undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff.

"Everything is as much time as you want to put into it," Ashley Beckham, president of the club and goalie for the team, said. "If you want to go to the away games you can, or if you want to only play the home games that is fine. We try to take everyone we can with us when we travel no matter what their level."

The club team is coached by Cyndy Schlaepfer, who played on Cornell's Women's Varsity team for two and a half seasons and began coaching when the Ohio State team was formed four years ago.

"Our coach is the best female player ever at Cornell. She is one of four women in the Hall of Fame at Cornell," Beckham said.

Unlike the men's team, the women play in a non-checking league. However, it is still hockey, and checking has been known to happen from time to time.

"At the end of last season there was a pretty big fight here at Ohio State between our team and another team and then one at an away game," said Bill Robinson, a boyfriend of one of the players.

Another difference between the men's hockey team and the women's club is the equipment, and the development of women's shoulder pads with extra padding in the front.

"Otherwise, all of the other equipment is the same," Beckham said.

The team has set some exciting goals for the next three years, including the possibility of an OSU Women's Varsity team.

"I think it would be neat if they had a varsity team here at OSU. We are moving to, hopefully, a league next year that has some of the other Big Ten schools in it, said Coach Schlaepfer.

Lisa Halapy, a freshman from Point Marion, Pa., didn't even know how to skate when she joined the club last quarter, and she has already played in a game at Bowling Green.

"I would like for the team to get some recognition-and some more beginners so I don't look as much like a beginner out there,"Halapy said.

Women interested in joining the club may come and try out for $5. Dues are $72 for new members, which includes insurance for a year, and $50 for returning members.

Practice times for the club are every Tuesday from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. for all members, Thursday from 9 to 10 p.m. for beginning skaters, and Thursday from 10 to 11 p.m. for advanced skaters at the OSU Ice Rink.

"The first hour on Thursday is very instructional...everything you need you can get here. Skates are $1 to rent and the intramural department has helped to supply helmets, shin guards, and other equipment," Beckham said.