Head Coach Tara Watchorn reflects on Sargent College and her path to success

Coach Tara Watchorn (Sargent College, Health Sciences ‘12), the head coach of the BU women’s hockey team,  is everything you would expect a head coach to be: confident, focused, supportive, and efficient. Her accomplishments speak for themselves: among many other things, she was the first alumna of the BU women’s hockey program to serve as a Division I hockey coach, an Olympic gold medalist at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and had a truly extraordinary playing career, playing for BU, Team Canada, and more. 

Of course, Sargent College is thrilled that she has agreed to speak at our 2026 convocation ceremony, not only because of those accomplishments, but because of how her experiences at BU and Sargent College helped shape the way she approaches, and has achieved, such success. 

Watchorn attended BU from 2008-2012, playing for the women’s hockey team and studying health sciences at Sargent College. About her choice to study at Sargent, she says, “Sargent felt like a nice opportunity. It had that perfect combination of health, science, and working with people. It had everything I could want.”

Though she enjoyed her studies and has great memories of her former professors, at the beginning of her undergraduate career, Watchorn’s academic experience was tough. 

“I struggled a lot. I think the biggest thing I reflect back on with the role Sargent played in my life, was that it challenged me [to get] outside of my comfort zone. It taught me the humility of being willing to ask for help, to navigate adversity, and build resilience in a way that was deeper than what I experienced on the ice.” 

Watchorn intends to take her commencement speech beyond the practical (though she does have things to say about life after college). She plans to touch on the power of motivation, what it means to move forward, and how one’s outlook and drive can – and likely will – lead to success, even if that growth might look different than expected.

“At the end of the day, having standards in how you show up, and in everything you do, is more important than outcome. I know everyone at BU is driven and has goals, but it’s the standards that you learn…that are going to get you there eventually.” 

Even with her extraordinary achievements and obvious commitment to excellence, Coach Watchorn’s ultimate concern is her community. When asked about her outreach work in and outside the rink, she says, “[The community] is the goal of everything that we do. It’s the reason why you want to play, and you want to be part of something bigger. But for myself, it’s something I’ve wanted to help grow.”

Under Watchorn – and the stellar staff that works with the team – the BU women’s hockey program has made a point to engage with the wider BU community beyond athletics. However, that isn’t always easy. Participating in athletics, while also earning a degree, means that her team’s schedule can get hectic. 

When asked about how she supports her players, she says, “You don’t get to this school or to this level as a student athlete if you’re not a perfectionist. And it’s when you think you have to be perfect through everything, that’s when you’re going to struggle. So I just try to encourage them. [I tell them], all you have to do is show up and show that you care, and you’re going to be fine.” 

Coach Watchorn has a crystal-clear point of view that comes from a lifetime of drive, motivation, and focus. And, of course, from leading a team as successful as our Terriers. Even without a podium, she is inspirational to listen to, and we cannot wait to hear what she has to say to our most recent graduates. 

The BU Sargent College Convocation will be held on May 16 and will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET., and will be followed by the All University Commencement on Sunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. ET.

For more information about graduation activities at Boston University, please visit BU’s commencement website.