Aurora announced Wednesday the addition of Grant Kimball as head coach of the new women’s hockey program that will begin play in the 2017-18 season.
Kimball comes to AU after spending the previous seven seasons as the associate coach and recruiting coordinator at Vermont.
“Having a coach with Grant’s resume lead the women’s hockey program at AU is exciting,” said Aurora director of athletics Jim Hamad in a statement. “We are confident that he will be able to build a competitive program.”
“The ability to give our student-athletes a first-class NCAA Division III experience and build a program from the ground up is extremely exciting,” added Kimball. “I can’t wait to get started and build a tradition of academic and athletic success here at AU.”
In his 15 seasons of coaching collegiate women’s hockey, Kimball has made stops at Vermont, North Dakota State, Wayne State and Lake Forest, finding success at all of his endeavors.
Kimball has additional experience serving with several other girls teams at various levels. He was the director of the Michigan Regional Girls Development Camp in 2005 and 2006, co-coach of the USA Hockey Girls National Select U14 Camp in 2005, head coach of Team Michigan in the Chicago Showcase Tournament in 2004 and 2005 and head coach of Team Illinois Girls U15 and U19 teams from 1996-2000.
He played his collegiate hockey at Lake Forest as a defenseman for the Foresters from 1992 to 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1996.
AU women’s hockey will become an official NCAA Division III program in 2017-18 and will play as an official member of the NCHA in 2017-18 and be eligible for the Slaats Cup playoffs and the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
