“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”
- Dolly Parton
Cara Gardner Morey
Coach
Cara has coached multiple sports at all levels and has found her passion and livelihood coaching hockey. She is currently the Head Coach for Princeton University and led the Tigers to both the Ivy League Championship and the ECAC Championship as well as the NCAA Final 8 in her last two seasons. Cara also coaches for Team Canada with the U18, U22 and Senior National teams. Cara believes in values-based coaching and has mentored many of our future female leaders.
Mentor
Cara is a role model and mentor for aspiring leaders across genders. She is dedicated to inspiring and motivating the next generation to reach their full potential. She pushes individuals outside their comfort zone to they can grow on and off the athletic field.
Activist
Cara’s passion for female equality in sport began at a young age when she was the only girl playing on the boys’ hockey teams. She began developing her leadership skills as a two-sport athlete at Brown, where she was mentored by her own female coaches. Because of her activism, Cara received the Bessie H. Rudd award for female leadership while attending Brown. She now speaks on various panels and platforms to promote female leadership in sport and business.
Accomplishments
NHL Development Coach - Philadelphia Flyers
Cara was the first female to be an on-ice coach with the Philadelphia Flyers. In this camp, she was charged with helping develop the on-ice skills of the Flyers top draft picks and rookies. She worked with all positions on technique and strategy to introduce them to the style of play required in the National Hockey League.
NCAA Division 1 Hockey Coach
Cara has coached the Princeton Tigers hockey team for 9 seasons. In just three seasons as Head Coach, Cara was a two-time finalist for Ivy League Coach of the Year and two-time finalist for ECAC Coach of the Year. Her teams won the Ivy League Title in 2019 and the next year captured Princeton’s first-ever ECAC Championship. Cara led the Tigers to back-to-back NCAA Final 8 Tournament appearances and historic seasons with longest consecutive win streak (20) in 2019 and most wins in the history of Princeton Women’s hockey (26) in 2020. Cara has developed numerous All-Americans, National Team players and Patty Kazmaier finalists.
National Team Coach - Hockey Canada
Cara has coached in the Canadian National program for the last 8 years, leading women of all age groups in International competitions and World Championships. In 2015 Cara helped the Canadian Development team bring home the Nations Cup by defeating Sweden, Finland, Russia and Germany. In 2016-17 Cara coached the Canadian U18 team to a silver medal in the World Championships in Prague. Most recently, Cara coached the Canadian National team win a three-game Rivalry Series against the United States.
Up2Us - She Can Coach Award
Cara was the recipient of the first-ever She Can Coach Award given to a female coach who mentors and inspires young women. Up2Us Sports celebrates powerhouse female coaches and athletes. The She Can Coach Award focuses on the importance of growing opportunities for women to coach, and ensuring young girls have great female role models in their lives.
NCAA Athlete
Cara played two varsity sports at Brown University and was a First Team All-Ivy selection in both ice hockey and field hockey. In field hockey she was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year and first team NEC All-American while ranking 6th in the nation for goals per game. In ice hockey, Cara was an All-Ivy and All-ECAC selection as well as being named to the All-AWCHA team in the National Tournament.
Leadership
Cara received the Besse H. Rudd award from Brown University, for the athlete who has done the most to promote female athletics. She was also selected to represent Brown University at the NCAA Leadership Conference in Orlando, FLA.
