Cammi Granato

In 1989, Granato entered Providence College on a hockey scholarship, one of the few schools in the country

Cammi Granato

with an elite women's hockey program. It was the first time she had played against other girls. Granato immediately succeeded. A four-year starter, she was also co-captain. She was freshman player of the year, and later was named Women's Hockey Player of the Year in the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

Granato's team won league titles in 1992 and 1993. Her coach, John Marchetti, told Harry Blauvelt and Carl M. Blumberg of USA Today, "She can score from anywhere. She's not exceptionally quick, but she's very powerful and her shot is extremely accurate." In ninety-three college games with Providence, she scored 135 and 110 assists. Granato graduated from Providence in 1993 with a degree in social sciences.

While still in college, Granato also had her eye on international play. She was one of the founding members of the U.S. Women's National Hockey Team, which finished second to the Canadians in its inaugural tournament in 1990. Granato also played on the team in 1992, 1994-97, and at other times. At the world championships in 1992, 1994 and 1997, the women won silver.

Though the women's national team provided one outlet for Granato's hockey career, they had a limited schedule and not enough time to work on skills. So, in fall 1993, Granato began working as an assistant coach for a Junior A team, the Wisconsin Capitols (United States Hockey League). It was the first time she coached.

Still wanting to play, but with no remaining NCAA eligibility, Granato decided to move to Canada to continue her education in January 1994. She attended graduate school at Concordia University in Montreal and played on their women's hockey team. The team was already powerful, but became more so with the addition of Granato. Concordia went on to win three Quebec Inter-collegiate Women's Hockey League championships during her tenure. In 123 games with Concordia, she had 178 goals and 148 assists. Granato earned her master's degree in sports administration.