Lindenwood Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Brad Wachler announced former Olympic gold medalist Shelley Looney as the next head coach for the women's ice hockey program.
 
"Coach Looney will be a huge asset for our department and our University," said Wachler.  "Her involvement at all levels of hockey will enhance the overall development of our women's hockey program, create a nationally recognizable brand and help grow the sport here in the region."
 
Looney comes to Lindenwood after spending many years with USA Hockey, finding great success as a player and a coach.  In 1998, Looney scored the game-winning goal to lead the United States to an Olympic gold medal in Nagano, Japan.  Most recently, Looney served as the head coach for the 2017 and 2019 World University Women's National Team.  Looney was an assistant coach for the 2016 World University Women's Hockey National Team.  She assisted the coaching staff for the 2010 U18 and 2004 U22 Women's National Teams.  Looney has also worked as the Chief Evaluator at Annual District Development Camps, while serving as a head coach and coaching director of select development festivals.
 
"I am very excited to be joining the Lindenwood Lions family," said Looney.  "This position is a terrific opportunity to continue my lifelong passion for the sport of ice hockey and nurture the student athletes.  I want to thank Lindenwood Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Brad Wachler, for this amazing opportunity to take our program to the next level.  I am really looking forward to meeting the team and start to create a positive and winning team culture both on and off the ice.  I believe my past experiences will help me lead the Lindenwood women's ice hockey program into a new era."
 
During the last five years, Looney served as the Director of Hockey for the Buffalo Bison Youth Hockey Organization.  Looney designed and implemented hockey development curriculum to help maximize the potential of boys and girls of all ages across 25 different teams.  Looney was a key contributor in the player recruitment at all college levels.
 
In a feature aired on February 17, 2019 by NBC Sports, Looney was highlighted on the 21st anniversary of scoring the game-winning goal in the gold medal game of the 1998 Winter Olympics as part of celebrating 2019 Hockey Day in America.  Looney and the Buffalo Bison hockey organization was recognized by Discover Card for their commitment to empower girls and women through sport.  Discover Card awarded $10,000 to the organization and arranged a day with the Stanley Cup for the youth program.
 
In 2016, Looney was named as the head coach of the girls' varsity ice hockey program at The Nichols School in Buffalo, N.Y., a top 10 private preparatory hockey programs in North America.
 
In 2015, Looney was co-head coach with the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women's Ice Hockey League (NWHL).  The Beauts were one of four inaugural professional women's teams, which included four USA Hockey National Team players.  Previously, the New Jersey Colonials brought Looney on board from 2006-12 as the girls coaching director.
 
Looney spent the 2004-05 season as the assistant coach of the University of Vermont.  Prior to her time in Burlington, Looney was an assistant coach on the USA Hockey U17 Boys National Team Development Program. 
 
During her playing career, Looney won the gold medal at the 2005 IIHF Women's World Championships and a silver medal at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Looney is a seven-time silver medalist at the IIHF Women's World Championships, and a two-time gold medalist at the IIHF 4 Nations Cup Tournament.
 
Looney earned her Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and leisure studies from Northeastern University.