One hundred years after Harvard met Brown in the first-ever collegiate ice hockey game, the tradition-rich program has much to celebrate.

Robert D. Ziff '88 has endowed the hockey coach position with a $2 million gift and thus underpins Crimson hockey for another century and beyond.

"I wanted to do something for Harvard, as I had a wonderful experience at the College," said Ziff, an ardent hockey fan. "Athletics can be a significant rallying point for undergraduates -- cheering for a team brings people together and builds community among individuals of different backgrounds and with far-flung interests. I believe that a strong, vibrant hockey program is good for Harvard and for its students."

Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Jeremy R. Knowles said: "I am so pleased that Robert Ziff has translated his enthusiasm for hockey into such tangible support for a sport that has, over the years, been a source of great pride for so many Harvard students and alumni."

William J. Cleary Jr. '56, the Nichols Family Director of Athletics, was a hockey star for Harvard and two U.S. Olympic teams and, for more than 20 years, the Crimson men's hockey coach. He said: "The College sponsors 41 varsity teams and 23 junior varsity teams -- more than any other Division I NCAA school -- because of our conviction that participation in intercollegiate athletics develops not only physical skills but also character. I am proud that we are able to give so many people the opportunity to compete. Since Harvard hockey has been central to my life, I am particularly thrilled about Robert's providing a major boost to this program."

Ziff praised the accomplishments of Harvard hockey players over the decades, who include in their ranks more than 30 Olympians and All-Americans as well as more than a dozen alumni who advanced to the National Hockey League.

He vividly recalls highlights from the hockey games during his student days, including one anguishing defeat: "I remember the team being two down against BC [Boston College] during the 1987 Beanpot with one and a half minutes to go, coming back to tie, and then losing in overtime on a controversial goal that, from my vantage point, was scored after the buzzer."

Fortunately, some big wins rank among his memories, too. During the famed 1988-89 season, which culminated in a national championship, Ziff was a regular in his season-ticket seats behind the goal at nearly every away game and at the finals in Minneapolis. As part of its coverage of the contest, ESPN broadcast Ziff cheering wildly. "After the game, all the Harvard fans celebrated in the arena while the band played on and on. We sang 'Fair Harvard' and then, since the lights were turned off, took over the hotel lobby to celebrate some more with the players and coaches."

Ronn Tomassoni, the first Robert D. Ziff Hockey Coach, hopes to repeat the success that has drawn such enthusiastic support from so many: "On behalf of everyone associated with the Harvard men's hockey program, I want to thank Robert Ziff for his most generous gift to endow the head coaching position. It is because of the loyalty and support of people like him that coaching at Harvard is so special. His gift will ensure that Harvard hockey not only maintains its tradition and standing among the most accomplished programs in the country but also is prepared for the challenges that we will face in the future. We are indeed fortunate to have him as part of the Harvard hockey family."

Although Ziff, who concentrated in engineering and applied physics, never aspired to the varsity squad, he enjoyed playing intramural (IM) hockey with the Dunster House team. "House identity is one of the best things about being at Harvard," he said. "One of the focal points of Dunster House during my years there was our hockey team. We had a rule: show up and you can play; we lost almost every game, but we had a great time."

In the hope of providing IM opportunities for current and future students, Ziff made a gift in 1995 to endow Harvard's intramural hockey program. "The teams have spirit, but they need basic equipment, and I wanted them also to have House jerseys, which make it that much more fun for everyone," he said.

In a news story announcing the IM endowment, students expressed their gratitude. One said: "This helps a lot of people play hockey who couldn't otherwise play." Approximately 125 undergraduates join their House IM hockey teams each year.

Ziff continued playing IM hockey as a law student at Cornell. After graduating first in his class in 1992, he spent a year as law clerk for Judge Monroe G. McKay in Salt Lake City.

Now president of Ziff Brothers Investments, he oversees daily operations of the investment firm established with siblings Dirk, MBA '93, and Daniel. The firm was founded with assets from the sale of Ziff-Davis Communications, the publishing empire built by their father, William Ziff Jr. Robert Ziff was vice president of strategic planning at Ziff-Davis Communications.

Busy with his investment activities in New York, Ziff keeps up with the team via the newly established Web broadcasts of hockey games. He manages to come to Cambridge for several contests each season, travel to Ithaca for the Cornell-Harvard game, and is always in attendance at the Beanpot.

Ziff said his decision to endow the coach's position was motivated in part by his upcoming reunion. "As we approach our tenth reunion, a number of my classmates have stepped forward with significant gifts. I wanted to do my part, too."