Bradley University announced a landmark addition to its athletic portfolio this week, naming Madison Maloof as the inaugural head coach of the school’s brand‑new women’s ice hockey program, set to take the ice this fall.
A Milestone in Women’s Athletics
Maloof, a Bradley alumna who grew up skating in the rinks of the Midwest, brings a lifelong passion for the sport and a deep connection to the campus community. Her appointment signals the university’s commitment to expanding varsity‑style opportunities for female athletes beyond traditional offerings.
The women’s ice hockey team is one of five new club‑sport initiatives rolling out under the Premier Club Sports umbrella. Alongside the hockey squad, Flag Football and Soccer will launch this autumn, while STUNT and Women’s Wrestling are slated to join the lineup within the next two years, broadening the university’s commitment to gender‑equitable competition.
Maloof’s coaching résumé includes a stint as an assistant captain for the WCHL Division I Flatlanders, where she honed her leadership skills and deepened her tactical understanding of the game. In addition to her coaching duties, she continues to serve as a managing broker at Maloof Commercial Real Estate, a venture she runs alongside her family’s legacy in property development.
University officials praised the hire, highlighting Maloof’s dual expertise on and off the rink. “Madison embodies the spirit of a true student‑athlete,” said a senior administrator in the athletics department. “Her experience as a player, a captain, and a professional broker equips her to build a competitive program while fostering academic excellence among her players.”
The new hockey program will train at the university’s state‑of‑the‑art arena, which recently underwent a renovation to accommodate a dedicated ice surface. Recruiting efforts are already underway, with Maloof targeting talent from both regional junior leagues and national prospects eager to join a pioneering team.
Looking Ahead
With the first season scheduled for the upcoming fall semester, the university hopes the initiative will serve as a model for other institutions seeking to invest in women’s sports. As the roster fills and the inaugural game approaches, Madison Maloof remains focused on one goal: to lay the foundation for a sustainable, high‑performance program that inspires future generations of female athletes at Bradley and beyond.