Kelsey Koelzer is making history at Arcadia University as the first Black head hockey coach in the history of the NCAA, writes Jamie Apody for 6abc.

Koelzer did not see many hockey players who looked like her when she was growing up in Horsham.

“As you’re growing through the sport it becomes even more apparent how rare it was for girls to play hockey,” she said. “I had to play in co-ed leagues from the time I started until I was 13 or 14.”

During her college years, she played at Princeton University. Afterward, she was the number one pick in the NWHL Draft, where she played for three years.

Now, she is starting a new chapter of her career as head coach of the brand new women’s hockey program at Arcadia. This makes her the first Black head hockey coach in the NCAA at any level, which she is hoping will inspire other girls and boys of color.

“If you have the love for the game, the skill, put in the hard work, then you belong there and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” she said.

Read more about Kelsey Koelzer at 6abc by clicking here.