Warrington student founds UF’s first women’s hockey program

Since she was 8 years old, Sarah Pagels (BABA ‘26) had fallen in love with playing hockey across the rinks of Chicago. She played competitively throughout high school on all-girl club teams, travelling across the country for competitions. However, when moving to the Sunshine State to study business, it seemed like an appropriate time to put her hockey career in the past. 

During her sophomore summer at the University of Florida, her family encouraged her to pursue hockey again. After some consideration, she attended an interest meeting hosted by the men’s hockey team about a women’s league. 

Although the men’s team was able to share many of their resources, several girls were needed to join the executive board and build the program from the bottom up; Pagels applied and became the president of the team. 

Alongside her executive board and her coach Kristin Folch, Pagels was tasked with recruiting players, designing and ordering jerseys, and reaching out to other teams to schedule games. 

“It was like running a business,” Pagels said. “You’re managing a budget; you have goals and deadlines and people on your team. I had just taken Principles of Entrepreneurship in my sophomore year, and I noticed it was similar in dealing with not knowing what to do and not having a boss; I was the boss. I learned how to take initiative and not be afraid to make decisions.”

At the same time, Pagels sought organizations for professional development in business. She continued to grow in involvement in the Florida Leadership Academy (FLA) and lead the Heavener International Case Competition Team to victory at several international competitions. 

Through her competitions and coursework, Pagels learned how to be professional, maintain deadlines and manage her time: all skills essential for leading the hockey team. 

Nonetheless, the hockey team has taught her lessons beyond the ice as well. 

“Starting the hockey team gave me confidence in my leadership ability and decision making,” Pagels said. “I got to take ownership in starting something new: an experience that is rare for a college student to have. Having this experience early on gave me a big push into being more confident, specifically in the case competitions.”

On the hockey field, Pagels continues to lead the hockey team as director of finance. She also pioneered the team’s involvement in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, allowing them to expand their resource base and their opponents. 

In the business field, Pagels continues to participate in case competitions across the world, including the Thammasat Undergraduate Business Challenge in Thailand and the Business and Management Case Competition in Mexico.

“My goal is giving back for my senior year,” Pagels said. “So many people poured into me and continued to do it, that’s what makes Heavener and Warrington so special. I owe it to myself to be a resource however someone needs it.”

Pagels would like to thank all of her FLA mentors and her case team for their familial-like support. She would also like to thank her mom for her guidance in navigating her life personally and professionally. 

Pagels will be joining McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst post-graduation.