FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KATIE MILLION NAMED WCHA VICE PRESIDENT AND
WOMEN’S LEAGUE COMMISSIONER
Longtime executive with the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority
to assume reigns of nation’s premier women’s league Sept. 2, 2016
EDINA, Minn. – July 21, 2016 – Bringing an experienced, visionary leader to helm the nation’s premier
women’s conference, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) today named longtime New
York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) executive Katie Million as its next vice
president and Women’s League commissioner. Million agreed to a three-year contract and will begin her
role Sept. 2, 2016.
“This is an exciting day for the present and future of the WCHA Women’s League, as we welcome a
dynamic new commissioner in Katie Million,” said University of Minnesota Duluth Athletic Director Josh
Berlo, who served as chair of the league’s six-person search committee. “We received a strong, diverse
and talented candidate pool for this position. Katie’s passion for celebrating and growing the sport of
hockey, along with a proven track record of accelerating exposure, partnerships and revenue through
first-rate events and championships, makes her the perfect person at an exciting time in the league’s
history. Katie’s relationships and progressive approach will further the WCHA’s role in advancing
women’s hockey, while enhancing the championship-level success and unparalleled student-athlete
experience that have long been league hallmarks.”
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next WCHA vice president and Women’s League
commissioner,” said Million. “I am very excited to work with the coaches, administrators and faculty
athletics representatives at all of our programs, but most importantly the student-athletes that make up
the top women’s hockey league in the country.
“I’m looking forward to visiting each of our prestigious universities, cultivating relationships, engaging
alumni and building on the WCHA’s illustrious success. Drawing on my experience as director of events
for the Olympic Authority in Lake Placid, I am excited to begin work on the league tournament – the
WCHA Final Face-Off.
“I will do my very best to serve this Association and our student-athletes as Women’s League
commissioner and continue to promote, grow and build upon its rich tradition.”
Million joins the WCHA after a highly-successful 17-year stay in Lake Placid, N.Y., including the last three
years as ORDA’s director of events. Under her leadership, ORDA further established itself as the region’s
foremost hub for major national and international competitions in the 21st century, hosting multiple
world cups, world championships and made-for-television events in a variety of sports. Million oversaw
multiple collegiate hockey games and tournaments, including six ECAC Men’s Hockey Championships,
five NCAA Division III Men’s Championships and the 2007 NCAA Division I Women’s Frozen Four. Lake
Placid also served as a consistent home for USA Hockey, with Million guiding efforts around numerous
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Men’s and Women’s National Festivals and Camps, along with the 2004, 2008 and 2013 Four Nations
Cup tournaments.
“As a member of the search committee, I am extremely excited to welcome Katie as the new
commissioner of the WCHA Women’s League,” said Dr. Sue Jeno, faculty athletics representative at the
University of North Dakota. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position and I
firmly believe she will be the catalyst to help the WCHA, as well as women’s hockey in general, grow to
new heights. I look forward to working with Katie in the months and years ahead.”
After holding the league’s last three Men’s League Championships (2014-16) in Lake Placid, working
closely with ORDA, ECAC Hockey Commissioner Steve Hagwell commented: “The WCHA has made a
tremendous selection in hiring Katie Million to serve as commissioner of its Women’s League. She is a
consummate professional who brings great enthusiasm and a tremendous work ethic to her new role.
Quite simply, Katie gets things done. More importantly, she is a first-class individual with strong
character and integrity. Katie will be a great representative of the WCHA.”
Among her executive duties with ORDA, Million led, organized and directed logistical, operational and
administrative assets surrounding all events, while also coordinating and leading marketing, promotion
and sponsorship efforts. During her tenure, she developed relationships with such corporate partners as
Disney (and ESPN), Turner Sports and Red Bull, along with a multitude of national and international
governing bodies.
Most recently, Million undertook a contract role as general manager of the 1980 Miracle Hockey Team,
assuming responsibility for managing the professional reputation and branding of the sport’s most iconic
and cherished team. She rose to that level after coordinating all aspects of the last two “Miracle on Ice
Fantasy Camps” and the widely-lauded “Miracle on Ice 35th Anniversary Celebration” events in 2015.
“Katie has done an excellent job developing and managing the professional reputation of the 1980
Miracle Hockey Team, and creating a memorable experience for everyone involved at our annual
‘Fantasy Camp,’” said Steve Janaszak, a 1980 U.S. Olympian and a national champion goaltender at the
University of Minnesota. “The 1980 Miracle Hockey Team congratulates Katie on this incredible
opportunity to lead the development and advancement of women’s college hockey as the new WCHA
Women’s League commissioner.”
In her new position, Million will work closely alongside WCHA President and Men’s League
Commissioner Bill Robertson toward the Association’s shared goals and mission.
“I am thrilled to have Katie on board at the WCHA,” said Robertson, who also served on the search
committee. “She has wonderful and infectious enthusiasm for providing the very best experience for the
student-athletes, while her successes in enhancing brands, managing large-scale events and developing
partnerships speak for themselves. I look forward to collaborating with Katie in the continued growth
and excellence of the WCHA.”
Added fellow search committee member and Bemidji State University Assistant Coach Amber Fryklund:
“I am excited to welcome Katie to the WCHA Women’s League! She brings a terrific background that will
promote our league, while representing our student-athletes and institutions in a positive and energetic
fashion. Her vision and leadership will continue to build on a great tradition of excellence in the WCHA.”
Million has served as an adjunct lecturer at Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smiths, N.Y. for the last six years,
while she also managed the Venue Communication Center at the Whistler (B.C.) Sliding Centre during
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the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. Since 2005, she has managed the Songs at Mirror Lake
Music Series – a Lake Placid-based nonprofit, volunteer-based community group she helped create.
Million earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from State University of New York at
Oswego.
Million becomes the third commissioner in the 17-year history of the WCHA Women’s League, following
Sara Martin (1999-2014) and Aaron Kemp (2014-16). Robertson, who has served in an interim capacity
since Kemp’s retirement in February, will continue in that role until Million officially begins.
About the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA)
The women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association has won a record 16 national championships in 17
years since its inception in 1999, while producing six Patty Kazmaier Award winners, 86 All-Americans
and numerous Olympic and international team members. The eight-team Division 1 conference consists
of: Bemidji State University (Beavers), the University of Minnesota (Golden Gophers), the University of
Minnesota Duluth (Bulldogs), Minnesota State University (Mavericks), the University of North Dakota,
Ohio State University (Buckeyes), St. Cloud State University (Huskies) and the University of Wisconsin
(Badgers). For more information, visit www.wcha.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Matt Hodson
Associate Commissioner for Public Relations
E: [email protected]
O: 952.818.8872
M: 612.801.2808
MORE INFORMATION
Website: wcha.com
Twitter: @wcha_whockey
Instagram: @wcha_whockey
Facebook: facebook.com/wchawomenshockey
– WCHA –
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