Four years ago when Deanna Dougherty was trying to decide on what college she wanted to go to, one major thing stood out about RPI over all the rest. That major thing was RPI had the best of two very important worlds to her: academics and hockey.
Now, Dougherty, who hails from Albany, leads the Rensselaer women’s hockey team as one of the co-captains. Last year she was second on the team in goals (14) and points (32) behind sophomore Julie Welte and assists (18) behind fellow senior and Co-captain Katie Woodward.
When asked how she first got involved in hockey she replied that she and her little brother got into it together when she was 11. She commented, “It took my dad three years to convince me to play. I finally started at 11 and have been playing ever since.”
To get ready for a game, Dougherty and her teammates go around the locker room and each lady says one personal goal and one team goal that they want to accomplish in the game. This helps Deanna to keep herself concentrating on the game and gives her something high to shoot for.
When asked who her biggest influence either on or off the ice has been she replied with, “My dad. He only missed one game last year, and that was because of a snowstorm. He has been my biggest support system and fan.”
Dougherty hopes to go to graduate school after she finishes here at RPI. She wants to work toward a PhD in Psychology and would like to eventually become a sport psychologist.
