A group of alumni at Princeton has endowed the men’s hockey head coach position in honor of Hobart Amory Hare “Hobey” Baker, one of the most celebrated athletes in school history.
A member of Princeton’s Class of 1914, Baker starred in both hockey and football, helping Princeton win national championships in football in 1911 and hockey in 1914 — making him the only athlete to claim titles in both sports. His impact extended beyond college athletics: he was among the first nine inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945 and later earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975, the only individual honored in both.
Head coach Ben Syer praised alumni for their passion and commitment, calling them “the lifeblood” of the program and saying the initiative represents a moment that would “Make Hobey Proud.”
Baker’s legacy remains deeply embedded in the program. The annual Hobey Baker Memorial Award, established in 1981, recognizes the top men’s college hockey player in the nation. Hobey Baker Rink — home to Princeton hockey since 1923 — stands as the oldest and one of the most historic college ice hockey venues in the country.
Alumni donors emphasized the broader impact of the gift, highlighting the role of coaches in shaping student-athletes both on and off the ice. They also pointed to the shared experience across generations of Princeton players as a driving force behind the initiative.