Bio

Framingham State University Director of Athletics Tom Kelley is pleased to announce the addition of women's ice hockey as the Rams' 15th varsity athletic program beginning competition during the 2024-25 academic year. Kelley is also pleased to announce the hiring of Robert Lavin as the program's first head coach.

"We are excited to be adding another varsity athletic program here at Framingham State," said Kelley. "Women's ice hockey is an emerging sport and we could not be happier to welcome Coach Lavin back to our coaching ranks. Coach Lavin previously guided our men's ice hockey program and we look forward to him building our women's program from the ground up."

Women's Ice Hockey becomes the Rams' 15th varsity athletic program and the first new program since the addition of women's outdoor track and field in 2018. The Rams will now sponsor six varsity programs for men – baseball, basketball, cross country, football, ice hockey and soccer – and nine for women – basketball, cross country, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, softball and volleyball.

Women's ice hockey will join the men's ice hockey program practicing and playing their home games at Framingham's Loring Arena.

Lavin joins the Rams coaching staff after most recently serving as the head boys' ice hockey coach at Worcester Academy. Lavin joined the Worcester Academy coaching staff in 2016 and has guided the program to a pair of league championships and establishing the program's JV program.

Lavin returns to Framingham State after serving as the head coach of the men's ice hockey program from 2001-2003. While on the Rams' bench, Lavin was heavily involved in recruiting to expand the Rams roster size and in 2003 the Rams qualified for the ECAC playoffs.

Prior to his time on the Rams bench, Lavin coached at Kent State University, Nichols College and Salve Regina University. Lavin's coaching background also includes time at Natick High School, Acton-Boxborough High School and Winchester High School.

Lavin is a graduate of Kent State earning both a Master of Arts Degree in Physical Education with a major in Sports Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.