University of Michigan Women's Coach Harassed In Adult Hockey League In Detroit

University of Michigan Wolverines head coach Jenna Trubiano was harassed and faced misogynist comments in a adult hockey league game in Michigan this week.

University of Michigan women's hockey coach Jenna Trubiano is speaking out after facing on-ice sexism and harassment in an adult hockey league in Detroit.

Trubiano decided to share her experience in a note posted on social media hoping to "educate those both in the hockey and non hockey world."

Trubiano spent five seasons playing ACHA hockey for the University of Michigan Wolverines and is currently in her third season with the program as head coach. According to the New Baltimore, Michigan product, a recent game in her adult hockey league, where she is to her knowledge the only woman in the league, devolved into an episode of on-ice harassment and misogyny. 

"Last night, I was body checked (a penalty was called) and the man who checked me said "stay on your feet - this is a men's league"," Trubiano wrote. "Throughout the remainder of the game, I was harassed while I was on the ice. Repeated comments of "join a women's league this is men's league" being screamed throughout the rink and can be heard on the Livebarn recording. The other team was composed of adult men, most of them in their 30s and 40s and several with daughters that play hockey."

 Trubiano approached the league's director following the game who according to Trubiano, confirmed she's welcome in the league and was upset with the comments. The director approached the team seeking an apology, but none came.

"As I patiently waited in the lobby for the other team to come out of the locker room, they passed by and no apology was offered, only a sarcastic "Have a great night!" as a group of five to seven of the men walked by," Trubiano wrote. "I started crying in the rink lobby in public in front of many others. After processing my emotions, my emotions are sad emotions. Sad that misogyny still exists at the rink today after it seems we have made so much progress in so many ways paving the road for girls and women in hockey on paper, especially in Michigan. I know I am not alone in this experience and my heart aches for young girls and other women who have also experienced harassment at the rink."

Trubiano has been an integral voice in Michigan for the forward progress of women's hockey, including in advocating for the state's first NCAA Division I women's hockey program, which she hopes will be hosted at the University of Michigan in the near future.

Trubiano, 29, spent her youth hockey playing 'AAA' for Belle Tire and Little Caesars. Last season Trubiano was named the CCWHA Coach of the Year after a dominant campaign behind the bench at Michigan.

"The goal with the apology was to help educate this group of men as to why the comments were inappropriate and hopefully influence their future actions when they eventually run into another girl or woman on the ice. I pray their daughters will never experience harassment like I did last night. Hockey is for everyone."