Doxie McCoy, a fifth‑generation Washingtonian, stepped onto the Boston College campus in 1973 with a modest background in field hockey and an eagerness to pursue higher education, even as Title IX was only beginning to take shape.
When coach John 'Snooks' Kelley invited her to join the school’s nascent women’s ice hockey club, McCoy’s limited skating ability was offset by her experience as a goalie in field hockey, a skill set that translated surprisingly well to the ice. She made an immediate impact in a game against Vermont, where Boston College fell, showcasing the poise and determination that would define her tenure.
The club she helped nurture grew into Boston College’s NCAA Division I women’s hockey program, a trajectory marked by multiple NCAA tournament berths and the emergence of U.S. Olympians, underscoring the lasting influence of her early contributions.
Pioneering the Program
Later recognition highlighted McCoy as one of the first Black female athletes at Boston College, a distinction that resonated during the school’s transition to coeducation and underscored the broader significance of her pioneering presence on the ice.
Today, McCoy channels the discipline and fellowship she honed on the rink into community leadership, serving the D.C. area through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she mentors middle school students and supports local schools via the Youth Leadership Institute, embodying the same commitment to growth that defined her athletic career.