As a defenseman, president and captain of Elon’s Club Hockey team, Garfield stood out with skills as a player and his role within the team as a leader and joins other top players in the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League's Hall of Fame.
By Oliver Fischer ‘20
Former Elon Club Hockey player Nicholas Garfield ’15 has been selected to the Hall of Fame of the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League for his skills on the ice and his leadership among his teammates.
“Not only did he really help with the team as a captain, but he was also a stellar player,” said Jenny Larson, assistant director of sport programs for Campus Recreation and Wellness. “To get a hall of fame award so early on speaks to his accomplishments on the ice.”
Elon’s hockey team started as a roller hockey team in the early 2000s, with the team growing to attend regional and national tournaments. In 2011, the team made the change to ice hockey and officially joined the Division II level of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The team played in the ACHA its first year before moving to the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League in 2012, where it remains today.
Reid Kugler, the current club hockey captain, said Garfield had exceptional leadership skills. “He was what we call a locker room guy in that he was very well respected when he spoke up,” Kugler said.
According to Larson, Garfield’s induction into the ACCHL Hall of Fame has strengthened club hockey as a team. “They are still a relatively new team to their league, so I think this adds credibility to their team,” she said.
His induction also creates awareness for the club hockey team, since it is an off-campus club, Larson said, adding that the award is a testament to the work and passion of those who make up the team. “It’s not like you can easily go to their game, it’s not down the street, so I think it showcases that we do have an ice hockey team here,” Larson said. “That commitment and hard work really shows off through Nick’s award,” Larson said.
Larson experienced that passion first hand when the team’s current co-captain ran into her office and said, with excitement, “Nick won!”
“That passion — it shows so much pride and love that they have for Nick’s time at Elon. It’s an award that they share as a team,” Larson said.
Ice hockey is one of several club sports offered at Elon. Other sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball (Men's & Women's)
- Climbing
- Equestrian (IDA)
- Equestrian (IHSA)
- Fencing
- Field Hockey
- Fishing
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse (Men's & Women's)
- Martial Arts
- Racquetball
- Rugby ( Men's & Women's)
- Soccer (Men's & Women's)
- Softball
- Squash
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Ultimate (Men's & Women's)
- Volleyball ( Men's & Women's)
More information about club sports at Elon is available here – https://www.elon.edu/u/campus-recreation-wellness/sports-and-events/club-sports/.