SCHENECTADY, NY – Union College Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach Claudia Asano Barcomb will not be returning next year. Barcomb has served as the head coach of the Dutchwomen for nine years since the 2007-08 season. A national search for the next Union College Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach will commence immediately.
 
"We thank Claudia for her efforts and work with the student-athletes both on and off the ice and wish her all the best in her future endeavors," stated Jim McLaughlin, Union College Director of Atheltics. "Claudia brought many positive attributes to the program and the campus community, as well as the student-athletes under her guidance."
 
Highlights during Barcomb's tenure included first program wins against Northeastern, Providence, Princeton, and Dartmouth.  Barcomb also initiated the annual Pink at the Rink event at Union, which has raised thousands for research and cancer patient support over the last nine years. She teamed up with Coaches vs. Cancer to help increase funding and awareness for breast cancer research. Barcomb initiated her team's community service program with the Boys and Girls Club, Schenectady Youth Hockey, Clifton Park Youth Hockey, Adopt a Family, and with local public elementary schools throughout Schenectady, NY. Under her leadership, Union women's ice hockey participated in the American Cancer Society Walk, raised funds for the Adopt a Family program, aided Habitat for Humanity in building a new home, participated in CATWALK for a Cause, and hosted a dance for STRIDE. The team generated and rallied support for a Union community's family whose young daughter had developed Ewing's Sarcoma.

"I would like to thank the many dedicated players that I have had the privilege of coaching through these nine years at Union College.  I would also like to thank my family, my staff, and the Union College community who have supported our program throughout the years," said Barcomb. 

In the classroom, Barcomb helped mentor 104 All-ECAC Hockey Academic Selections in just nine years. Her teams won back-to-back ECAC Hockey Turfer Athletics Awards in 2008 and 2009. The Turfer Athletic award, chosen by the coaches and players in each league, is awarded to an ECAC Hockey Team that has shown good sportsmanship, tenacity, commitment and innovation. In 2014-15, the Union College women's ice hockey team was one of seven Division I women's ice hockey programs to receive an NCAA Public Recognition Award for an outstanding Academic Progress Rate (APR). This marked the first time in Union's history that a team had earned a Public Recognition Award in the 10 year period they have been awarded.
 
In 2010, Barcomb was the director of the USA Hockey 14 Camp and a coach for the 17 Camp. As an active member of USA Hockey, Barcomb has coached at five development camps, including the 2009 Under-16 Camp in St. Cloud, MN and the Select 17 Camp in Lake Placid, NY in 2008. She has also coached the 2003 and 2006 Girls' Select 14 Camps in Rochester, NY, and the 2007 Girls' Select 15 Camp in St. Cloud, MN.