Atlantic Hockey America

Last updated
Atlantic Hockey America
Atlantic Hockey America logo 2024.png
Formerly MAAC (Men) (1997–2003)
Atlantic Hockey (Men) (2003–24)
College Hockey America (Women) (2002–24)
Association NCAA
FoundedMen: 1997 (as MAAC)
Women: 2002 (as CHA)
First season2024–25
CommissionerMichelle Morgan (since 2024)
Sports fielded
Division Division I
No. of teams11: Men's
6: Women's
Headquarters Boston, Massachusetts
Region Northeastern United States, Colorado and Missouri
Official website atlantichockeyonline.com
Locations
Map - College Hockey - Atlantic Hockey America states.svg

Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is a college ice hockey conference which operates primarily in the northeastern United States. It participates in NCAA Division I as an ice hockey-only conference. [1] The conference was formed by the merger of the men-only Atlantic Hockey Association and the women-only College Hockey America (CHA). [2]

Contents

History

In 2010, the men's division of CHA collapsed and two of the remaining teams joined the Atlantic Hockey Association. [3] At that time, the two leagues began working together by sharing a commissioner and administrative staff in order to streamline their operating costs. [4] The arrangement worked well enough that by 2023, the two entities decided to formalize their relationship and announced that they were merging. The new league would begin in the 2024–25 season and would welcome a new member, Delaware, the following year. [5]

Membership

Three schools, Mercyhurst, RIT and Robert Morris, have programs in both the men's and women's divisions. Holy Cross, Lindenwood, Penn State and Sacred Heart each operate teams of both sexes, but only one is a member of AHA. Niagara and Syracuse only have one varsity program active as of 2024 but both previously supported the other gender. [6]

Current

Conference affiliations are current for the first season of the merged AHA in 2024–25.

InstitutionLocationNicknameFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentJoinedMen'sWomen'sPrimary ConferenceColors
United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, Colorado [lower-alpha 1] Falcons 1954Public/Federal4,4002024Yes check.svgX mark.svg Mountain West    
American International College Springfield, Massachusetts Yellow Jackets 1885Private/Non-sectarian1,7002024Yes check.svgX mark.svg Northeast-10 (D-II)     
United States Military Academy West Point, New York Black Knights 1802Public/Federal4,4002024Yes check.svgX mark.svg Patriot League      
Bentley University Waltham, Massachusetts Falcons 1917Private/Non-sectarian3,9582024Yes check.svgX mark.svg Northeast-10 (D-II)   
Canisius University Buffalo, New York Golden Griffins 1870Private/Catholic3,4902024Yes check.svgX mark.svg MAAC    
College of the Holy Cross Worcester, Massachusetts Crusaders 1843Private/Catholic2,8972024Yes check.svg Hockey East Patriot League  
Lindenwood University St. Charles, Missouri Lions 1827 Private/Presbyterian 12,2132024 Independent Yes check.svg OVC    
Mercyhurst University Erie, Pennsylvania Lakers 1926Private/Catholic4,0552024Yes check.svgYes check.svg NEC    
Niagara University Lewiston, New York [lower-alpha 2] Purple Eagles 1856Private/Catholic3,8532024Yes check.svgX mark.svg MAAC    
Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pennsylvania [lower-alpha 3] Nittany Lions 1855 Public/State-related 44,8172024 Big Ten Yes check.svg Big Ten    
Robert Morris University Moon Township, Pennsylvania Colonials 1921Private/Non-sectarian4,0052024Yes check.svgYes check.svg Horizon      
Rochester Institute of Technology Henrietta, New York [lower-alpha 4] Tigers 1829Private/Non-sectarian16,8422024Yes check.svgYes check.svg Liberty League (D-III)     
Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut Pioneers 1963Private/Catholic5,4282024Yes check.svg NEWHA MAAC    
Syracuse University Syracuse, New York Orange 1870Private/Non-sectarian19,0822024X mark.svgYes check.svg ACC  
  1. ↑ The Academy grounds lie almost entirely outside the Colorado Springs city limits. The U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Census Bureau respectively treat the Academy as "USAF Academy" and "Air Force Academy".
  2. ↑ Mailing address is "Niagara University".
  3. ↑ The entire Penn State campus is designated by the U.S. Postal Service as "University Park". It straddles the boundary between State College and College Township.
  4. ↑ Mailing address is Rochester.

Future

Primary conference affiliation is current for the first season of AHA play.

InstitutionLocationNicknameFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentJoiningMen'sWomen'sPrimary Conference [lower-alpha 1] Colors
University of Delaware Newark, Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens 1743Public [lower-alpha 2] 23,2812025X mark.svgYes check.svg CUSA    
  1. ↑ As of the date of joining AHA.
  2. ↑ Delaware is legally chartered as a "privately governed, state-assisted" institution. This status is broadly similar to that of New York's statutory colleges, mostly housed at Cornell University, or institutions in Pennsylvania's Commonwealth System of Higher Education.

Timeline

USA Northeast (cropped).svg
Blue pog.svg
American International
Blue pog.svg
Army
Blue pog.svg
Bentley
Blue pog.svg
Canisius
Blue pog.svg
Holy Cross
Blue pog.svg
Mercyhurst
Blue pog.svg
Niagara
Blue pog.svg
Penn State
Blue pog.svg
RIT
Blue pog.svg
Robert Morris
Blue pog.svg
Sacred Heart
Blue pog.svg
Syracuse
Green pog.svg
Delaware
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Location of teams in the Northeast
Blue pog.svg full
Green pog.svg future
Atlantic Hockey America

  Men    Women    Both  

Champions

Conference arenas

Awards

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America to Merge Operations in 2024". Atlantic Hockey Association. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Atlantic Hockey, CHA women will combine as Atlantic Hockey America for 2024-25 season". USCHO. April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  3. ↑ Shaver, Wally. "News and notes from the 2008 NCAA Men's Frozen Four" . Retrieved 2010-01-28.
  4. ↑ "Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America to Merge Operations in 2024". Atlantic Hockey Association. June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  5. ↑ "University of Delaware to Join College Hockey America for 2025-26 Season" (Press release). College Hockey America. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Niagara University Announces Restructuring Of Athletics Programs". Niagara University. March 19, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
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