Acha
'CLAW' Road to Success: Lindsay Ellis talks about building a team from the ground up and growing hockey in Arizona while writing her dissertation
Lindsay Ellis created an opportunity she didn't have: building an elite college hockey team in her home state of Arizona. Shortly after graduating from Miami University (Ohio) in 2015, Ellis founded the women's club hockey team at Arizona State University (ASU) with one goal in mind. “We've had the same mindset since the beginning. Our goal is to win a national title,” Ellis said. Ice garden. “We're building a culture where girls want to be here. They know our goals are achievable and they're things we can achieve.”
Despite the lack of university support, the Sun Devils have grown from 12 skaters to a national contender among the top women’s teams in the ACHA, and while they have yet to achieve ultimate victory, Ellis’ time with the Miami Redhawks and her academic journey have instilled in her the dedication and character needed to become a winning program at ASU.
The following group of winners, 9 of 18 schools this year, is a testament to the diversity of education Miami University offers: Great work is being produced in every corner of campus.
For detailed biographies of each winner, please visit the awards homepage: https://t.co/qpPeOWplQ7 pic.twitter.com/E4wsAXcen6
— MUAA (@MiamiAlum) January 11, 2024
Ellis left Arizona in 2010 to join the Redhawks for their inaugural season. In their second year, the Redhawks gained membership in the CCWHA (Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association), the toughest conference in the league at the time. They made steady progress over the next two seasons, but the program made history when their storybook run began in September 2013. In one season, the Redhawks held the No. 1 spot in the coaches poll and computer rankings throughout the season and won the regular season title. They carried that momentum into their first conference championship and dominated the season to become national champions. Ellis graduated the following year, but the Redhawks continued their reign in the ACHA for several seasons, winning cup championships in 2016 and 2017.
Though that magical year is a long time ago, Ellis, now 30, will never forget the bond with her teammates, the determination and dogged resolve that led the program to three national championships. She blends those elements, along with her academic prowess, into one acronym that forms the essence of the ASU women's hockey club: CLAW. CLAW stands for Commitment, Leadership, Accountability and Work Ethic, and Ellis attributes much of her team's success to truly embracing these values. Ellis herself embodies each letter, and since the university prohibits CLAW from being on the walls, she makes sure her players embrace it.
