Ice To The Stands

You feel it when you first set foot in the Ed Robson Arena. The energy is palpable, electric. As fans fill the seats, the sounds of skates carving into ice and the rhythmic pounding of sticks create a unique symphony that heightens the anticipation. The roar of the crowd, especially from the student section, can be deafening as cheers and chants echo off the walls. It is clear the Tigers are more than a college hockey team. They are our team, Colorado Springs’ team.

At Colorado College, the connection between the hockey program, the community, and the fans is both powerful and deeply cherished. This bond is something the team never takes for granted and was a major draw for head coach, Kris Mayotte, who understood from the outset the importance of this relationship.

“It’s a big reason I was so excited to take the job. When you know the impact your team can have on an entire city, it’s something special.”

For the Colorado College (CC) hockey team, support extends beyond the student body to embrace the entire Colorado Springs community. CC hockey has long felt like the “city’s team” as much as it has the college’s—a reputation built over years. This dynamic is unique, and being able to revive and strengthen this relationship was a key motivator for the team’s leadership.

The decision to bring the Ed Robson Arena to campus was guided by this vision of connection and impact. The arena serves not only as a venue for hockey games, but also as a community hub for events, reinforcing the strong ties between Colorado College and Colorado Springs and embodying the college’s commitment to enriching the broader community.

“Living in Olympic City, USA, it’s amazing to see the role sport plays in the soul of the city,” said Lesley Irvine, Vice President and Director of Athletics. “The things we do at CC don’t just affect the college—they resonate throughout Colorado Springs.”

From day one, the focus was on instilling a culture of belief and resilience within the team. The coaching staff emphasized not only physical conditioning but also mental toughness, teaching players that a championship mindset extends beyond what happens on the ice.

“It’s about what you do every day, not just in a one-and-a-half-hour practice,” said Kris. “The idea was to reshape the team’s understanding of what it means to be a champion and to develop the habits and mindset that would make that goal attainable.”

Everything has to be earned. And once you earn it, people can’t take it from you. This was a mantra that resonated with the team, especially as they faced the challenges of competing in what’s often described as the SEC of college hockey—the toughest league in the country. The journey required confronting tough losses, overcoming self-doubt, and learning to bounce back stronger.

Creating this vibrant atmosphere is no accident. The coaching staff reminds players that it’s about more than their performance on the ice.

“If you want a good student section, be someone they want to root for,” Kris emphasized.

Players are encouraged to be present on campus, to embody the spirit and character that their peers and community members admire. The commitment is clearly paying off; the students are engaged, the crowds are enthusiastic, and the program’s growth is unmistakable.

At Colorado College, the hockey program’s philosophy extends well beyond just athletic development. Here, players are encouraged to embrace their identity beyond the rink.

“When you’re away from the rink, you’re not a hockey player,” the coach often reminds them.

It’s a mindset that is reinforced constantly, emphasizing the importance of character over talent and driving home the idea that one’s identity must transcend any one role or title.

For CC hockey players, it’s not just about what they do; it’s about who they are. As Kris puts it, “At some point, you’re not going to be a hockey player. And if your entire life, you’ve just thought of yourself as a hockey player, you’re going to be disappointed.”

“Ideally, these athletes are not only strong players but also individuals who engage with their community, handle adversity, and embrace accountability. The program doesn’t seek entitlement, but rather players who view their role as an opportunity to lead and make a positive impact.”

This commitment to personal development creates a foundation that players carry with them long after they’ve hung up their skates.

At Colorado College, the pursuit of excellence is a shared mission across all programs, and hockey serves as the flagship, offering one of the most visible platforms to showcase the college’s commitment to success. When the CC hockey team performs well, it ignites momentum, elevating visibility and instilling pride—not only within the athletic department but also across the college and into the larger community.

The impact of this unity is seen in the collaborative spirit among coaches and teams. The college’s leaders foster a supportive environment where each coach supports the others, embodying a culture of camaraderie and mutual encouragement.

“Our coaches are their own team,” said Lesley. “Kris will come to volleyball games, and all of our coaches support the hockey team. This cultural commitment means everything to us.”

This ethos is strengthened by hiring leaders who buy into the collaborative vision. For Colorado College, the hiring process is not just about finding technical experts but selecting head coaches who understand their why.

“It doesn’t just happen by accident; we hire people who care about each other’s success and genuinely root for one another.”

At Colorado College, resilience isn’t just a skill to be learned—it’s a foundational value infused into every aspect of the student-athlete experience.

“In our world today, learning to listen more and speak less is essential,” Lesley said. “It’s about curiosity, humility, and gratitude—qualities that strengthen resilience and prepare students for the unknown.”

Recently, Colorado College partnered with Children’s Hospital Colorado on a survey to examine rising mental health needs, revealing higher than average levels of hope and resilience among student-athletes compared to the general population.

However, the survey also uncovered an important need: while students were comfortable discussing their challenges with adults, they struggled to open up to one another. Recognizing that peer support can be critical, Colorado College launched a peer coaching program designed to help team leaders better support one another.

“We teach our leaders to notice when a teammate may be struggling, to have tools for engaging in conversations, and to create a support system that’s proactive,” said Lesley. “Resilience, when taught through connection and empathy, becomes a superpower. It’s preparing our athletes for a championship-level life, not just a season.”

Colorado College’s athletic programs are a testament to the idea that true resilience isn’t about standing alone but about building a network that’s there for every fall and every triumph in the rink, in the community, or in life.