St. Scholastica will add a women’s hockey program in the fall of 2010 and will join the NCHA, the school announced Thursday.
The school is elevating what has become a successful club program. The Saints won the 2007 ACHA Division II national championship and lost in the title game last season.
“Women’s hockey is a natural fit for the college, based on our geographic location, the strength of regional high school programs, the visibility of our men’s hockey program and the success of the college’s women’s ACHA, Division II team,” St. Scholastica athletic director Don Olson said in a statement released by the school.
“The addition of a women’s hockey program to the school’s roster of intercollegiate athletics programs allows us to create an increased balance between men’s and women’s programs.”
The NCHA already includes Wisconsin-River Falls, Wisconsin-Superior, Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Lake Forest, Concordia (Wis.) and Finlandia.
Marian and Adrian will join the conference in the fall, with St. Norbert joining along with St. Scholastica in 2010.
The conference’s vote to admit St. Scholastica was unanimous.
“We are most happy to welcome the College of St. Scholastica to our women’s division as we continue the growth of women’s hockey in our conference,” NCHA commissioner Bill Kronschnabel said.
