| College Hockey America NCAA Division I Conference | |
 | |
| Founded: | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Number of teams: | 6 |
| Commissioner: | Michelle Morgan (at merger) |
| Defending champions (women): | Mercyhurst Lakers (2020) 13th title |
| Website: | http://www.chawomenshockey.com/ |
College Hockey America (CHA) was a college ice hockey conference in the United States. It participated in the NCAA's Division I as a women's hockey-only conference. In its last season in 2023–24, CHA featured six teams in Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania. After that season, it merged with the men-only Atlantic Hockey Association to create the current Atlantic Hockey America.
History[]
The CHA was founded as a men's-only league in the 1999–2000 season. The conference was formed by seven teams, three of which were Division I independent teams, another three moving up from Division II, after the NCAA stopped sanctioning Division II hockey in 1998, and one new varsity program (Wayne State).[1]
The newly formed women's division of the CHA began play in the 2002–03 season with four teams.[2] Findlay, Mercyhurst and Wayne State were former Great Lakes Women’s Hockey Association members, while Niagara played previously in the ECAC.
The CHA Women's Division managed to remain at four teams between 2002–2008; although teams continued to come and go. In 2004, Findlay dropped its women's hockey program and was replaced by Quinnipiac University for one season. In 2005, the Bobcats removed its women's team and moved to another conference (ECAC). They were replaced by the Colonials women's ice hockey team of Robert Morris University. In 2008–09, Syracuse University started up its women's hockey program and joined the conference; bringing the total number of teams in the CHA Women's Division up to five.
The CHA Men's Division folded after the 2009–2010 season, leaving the CHA as a women's-only conference. The fate of the four remaining CHA men's teams was as follows: Niagara and Robert Morris moved to Atlantic Hockey; Bemidji State joined the WCHA and still later joined the revived Central Collegiate Hockey Association; and Alabama-Huntsville continued play as an independent, later moved to the WCHA, and still later dropped hockey.[3][4]
The 2011–12 academic year and season brought many changes to the CHA. Wayne State abruptly ended their women's hockey program, dropping conference membership to only four teams again for the 2011–12 season.[5] The conference announced that Lindenwood University would officially join the CHA for the 2012–2013 season.[6] Lindenwood, then in the process of transitioning its athletic programs from the NAIA to the NCAA, had already been slated to play ten games against CHA opponents in its first season of NCAA competition as an independent program for the 2011–12 season.[7] On March 19, 2012, Niagara announces it was dropping its women's ice hockey program effective immediately; as a result, the Rochester Institute of Technology team was allowed to immediately join the CHA upon its move from D-III to D-I for the 2012–13 season.[8][9] Penn State, which had announced it would upgrade its men's and women's hockey from club to NCAA Division I status for 2012, was accepted for admission to the CHA for the 2012–13 season.[10] In sum, the CHA continued as a women's-only conference for the 2012–13 season and beyond with a total of six teams consisting of Mercyhurst (original member from 2002); Robert Morris (joined 2005); Syracuse (joined 2008) and new members Penn State, Lindenwood and RIT.[8]
The Robert Morris Lady Colonials ice hockey team would be eliminated along with the men's team on May 26, 2021.[11] However, by the end of that year, a successful fundraising drive led RMU to reinstate both teams effective in 2023–24.[12] By the end of the 2021–22 season, CHA would reinstate RMU effective in 2023.[13]
On December 1, 2023, CHA announced that Delaware would join the conference for the school's first season of varsity women's hockey in 2025–26.[14] However, CHA had already announced that it would merge with the Atlantic Hockey Association following the 2023–24 season. CHA and the Association had operated with a single commissioner and shared office staff since 2010.[15] On April 30, 2024, CHA and the Association unveiled the merged conference as Atlantic Hockey America. All members of both predecessor conferences became members of the merged AHA, and Delaware's future membership in CHA transferred to the merged conference.[16]
Final members[]
Conference affiliations represent those at the time CHA's merger with the Association was finalized.
| Institution | Location | Nickname | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Joined | Women's conference championships | Men's Hockey conference | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindenwood University | St. Charles, Missouri | Lions | 1827 | Private/Presbyterian | 12,213 | 2012 | 0 | Independent (Division I) | Ohio Valley Conference (D-I) |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie, Pennsylvania | Lakers | 1926 | Private/Catholic | 4,106 | 2002 | 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 | Atlantic Hockey Association | PSAC (D-II) |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park, Pennsylvania | Nittany Lions | 1855 | Public/State-related | 44,817 | 2012 | 0 | Big Ten | Big Ten |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Henrietta, New York | Tigers | 1829 | Private/Nonsectarian | 18,063 | 2012 | 2014, 2015 | Atlantic Hockey Association | Liberty League (D-III) |
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Colonials | 1921 | Private/Nonsectarian | 4,895 | 2023 | 2012, 2017, 2021 | Atlantic Hockey Association | Horizon League (D-I) |
| Syracuse University | Syracuse, New York | Orange | 1870 | Private/Nonsectarian | 19,082 | 2008 | 0 | NECHL (Club) | ACC |
- Mercyhurst started a transition from Division II to Division I in 2024, joining the Northeast Conference.
- Before rejoining in 2023, Robert Morris had been a CHA women's member from 2005 to 2021.
- ^A Men's team joined in 2004
Future member[]
Shortly before the CHA–AHA merger was announced, one school was set to join CHA in 2025. Its membership will transfer to Atlantic Hockey America. The conference affiliation listed here reflects the 2025–26 season.
| Institution | Location | Nickname | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Joining | Primary Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware | Fightin' Blue Hens | 1743 | Public | 24,221 | 2025 | CUSA |
- While Delaware was founded in 1743, it did not become a college-level institution until 1833.
- Delaware is officially chartered as a "privately governed, state-assisted" institution—a status similar to that of current Atlantic Hockey America women's member Penn State.
Former (women's division) members[]
- University of Findlay Oilers, 1999-2004 (dropped program[17])
- Quinnipiac University Bobcats, 2004–2005 (moved to ECAC)
- Wayne State University Warriors, 2002–2011 (dropped program[5])
- Niagara University Purple Eagles, 2002–2012 (dropped program)
Conference arenas[]
| School | Arena | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Lindenwood | Centene Community Ice Center | 4,000 |
| Mercyhurst | Mercyhurst Ice Center | 1,500 |
| Penn State | Pegula Ice Arena | 6,000 |
| RIT | Gene Polisseni Center | 4,300 |
| Syracuse | Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion | 350 |
Women's tournament finals[]
For the first time in conference history, the 2006 men's and women's tournaments were held at the same site: The Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Detroit, Michigan. The 2008 tournaments were also held jointly, at Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, New York.
| Year | Champion | Score | Runner-up | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Mercyhurst | 1–0 | Findlay | Detroit, Michigan |
| 2004 | Mercyhurst | 3–1 | Niagara | Lewiston, New York |
| 2005 | Mercyhurst | 4–1 | Niagara | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| 2006 | Mercyhurst | 6–2 | Niagara | Detroit, Michigan |
| 2007 | Mercyhurst | 4–1 | Wayne State | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 2008 | Mercyhurst | 2–1 (ot) | Wayne State | Lewiston, New York |
| 2009 | Mercyhurst | 6–1 | Wayne State | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| 2010 | Mercyhurst | 3–1 | Syracuse | Detroit, Michigan |
| 2011 | Mercyhurst | 5–4 | Syracuse | Syracuse, New York |
| 2012 | Robert Morris | 3–2 | Mercyhurst | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 2013 | Mercyhurst | 4–1 | Syracuse | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| 2014 | RIT | 2–1 (2ot) | Mercyhurst | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| 2015 | RIT | 2–1 (2ot) | Syracuse | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| 2016 | Mercyhurst | 4–3 (ot) | Syracuse | Buffalo, New York |
| 2017 | Robert Morris | 2-0 | Syracuse | Buffalo, New York |
| 2018 | Mercyhurst | 5-3 | Robert Morris | Buffalo, New York |
| 2019 | Syracuse | 5-3 | Robert Morris | Buffalo, New York |
| 2020 | Mercyhurst | 2-1 | Robert Morris | Buffalo, New York |
| 2021 | Robert Morris | 1-0 | Syracuse | Buffalo, New York |
Postseason women's hockey history[]
Prior to the 2014–15 season, The CHA did not have an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for its conference tournament champion. At that time, with membership having remained stable at six teams (Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Syracuse, Lindenwood, RIT, and Penn State) for two consecutive seasons, the auto-bid was granted.
In the table below, all NCAA appearances prior to 2015 were at-large selections.
| Year | CHA Rep. | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Mercyhurst | Harvard | L 5–4 (3ot) |
| 2006 | Mercyhurst | Wisconsin | L 2–1 (2ot) |
| 2007 | Mercyhurst | Minnesota–Duluth | L 3–2 (ot) |
| 2008 | Mercyhurst | Minnesota–Duluth | L 5–4 |
| 2009 | Mercyhurst | St. Lawrence | W 3–1 |
| Minnesota | W 5–4 (frozen four) | ||
| Wisconsin | L 5–0 (national final) | ||
| 2010 | Mercyhurst | Boston University | W 4–1 |
| Cornell | L 3–2 (frozen four) | ||
| 2011 | Mercyhurst | Boston University | L 2–4 |
| 2012 | Mercyhurst | Wisconsin | L 3–1 |
| 2013 | Mercyhurst | Cornell | W 4–3 (ot) |
| Boston University | L 1–4 (frozen four) | ||
| 2014 | Mercyhurst | Cornell | W 3–2 |
| Clarkson | L 1–5 (frozen four) | ||
| 2015 | RIT | Minnesota | L 2–6 |
| 2016 | Mercyhurst | Wisconsin | L 0–6 |
| 2017 | Robert Morris | Wisconsin | L 0-7 |
| 2018 | Mercyhurst | Clarkson | L 1-2 (ot) |
| 2019 | Syracuse | Wisconsin | L 0-4 |
| 2020 | Mercyhurst | N/A-Tournament cancelled | N/A |
| 2021 | Mercyhurst | Northeastern | L, 1-5 |
Men's division[]
The CHA was originally founded in 1999 with only a men's division. Three of the seven charter members, Alabama–Huntsville, Bemidji State,and Findlay, had recently moved up from Division II, while Air Force, Army, and Niagara were formerly independent. Wayne State were a charter member, and began sponsoring varsity hockey in 2000.
Niagara went undefeated in conference play in 1999–2000, winning the conference tournament and gaining an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament. (The conference did not gain an automatic bid until the 2003 tournament.) Army spent only one season in the league before leaving for the MAAC. Findlay dropped their hockey programs following the 2003–2004 season, to be replaced by Robert Morris, who began play in 2004–2005. After Air Force left for Atlantic Hockey in 2006 and Wayne State dropped their program in 2008, the conference was left with only four teams. The CHA sought to add new programs to its men's league, hoping to draw interest from some of the top club teams in the country, including Kennesaw State University.[1] However, these efforts came up short, with CHA and school personnel citing Title IX as a major hurdle in the negotiations.[18]
On January 29, 2009, Niagara University announced that it and Robert Morris University were moving to Atlantic Hockey beginning in the 2010-11 season.[19] Bemidji State applied again to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for inclusion and was accepted, along with the University of Nebraska-Omaha of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Alabama-Huntsville applied to the CCHA[20] following the announced departure of Nebraska-Omaha and was denied. [21] As a result, Alabama-Huntsville began competing as an independent team beginning with the 2010–11 season.
Member schools[]
There were eight member schools in total. The conference began in 2000 with seven teams, and ended in 2010 with four.
Championship games[]
- Tournament champions were awarded the Bob Peters Cup.
| Year | Champion | Score | Runner-up | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Niagara | 3–2 | Alabama–Huntsville | Huntsville, Alabama |
| 2001 | Wayne State | 4–1 | Alabama–Huntsville | Huntsville, Alabama |
| 2002 | Wayne State | 5–4 (ot) | Alabama–Huntsville | Lewiston, New York |
| 2003 | Wayne State | 3–2 | Bemidji State | Kearney, Nebraska |
| 2004 | Niagara | 4–3 (ot) | Bemidji State | Kearney, Nebraska |
| 2005 | Bemidji State | 3–0 | Alabama–Huntsville | Grand Rapids, Minnesota |
| 2006 | Bemidji State | 4–2 | Niagara | Detroit, Michigan |
| 2007 | Alabama–Huntsville | 5–4 (ot) | Robert Morris | Des Moines, Iowa |
| 2008 | Niagara | 3–2 | Bemidji State | Lewiston, New York |
| 2009 | Bemidji State | 3–2 (ot) | Robert Morris | Bemidji, Minnesota |
| 2010 | Alabama–Huntsville | 3–2 (ot) | Niagara | Lewiston, New York |
Regular season champions[]
Regular Season Champions and their conference records.
- 2000 - Niagara (15-0-2)
- 2001 - Alabama-Huntsville (15-4-1)
- 2002 - Wayne State (15-2-3)
- 2003 - Alabama-Huntsville (13-5-2)
- 2004 - Bemidji State (16-3-1)
- 2005 - Bemidji State (16-4-0)
- 2006 - Niagara (13-6-1)
- 2007 - Niagara (9-5-6)
- 2008 - Bemidji State (13-4-3)
- 2009 - Bemidji State (12-5-1)
- 2010 - Bemidji State (14-3-1)
Postseason Men's Hockey History[]
| Year | CHA Rep. | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Niagara | New Hampshire | W 4–1 |
| North Dakota | L 4–1 | ||
| 2003 | Wayne State | Colorado College | L 4–2 |
| 2004 | Niagara | Boston College | L 5–2 |
| 2005 | Bemidji State | Denver | L 4–3 (ot) |
| 2006 | Bemidji State | Wisconsin | L 4–0 |
| 2007 | Alabama–Huntsville | Notre Dame | L 3–2 (2ot) |
| 2008 | Niagara | Michigan | L 5–1 |
| 2009 | Bemidji State | Notre Dame | W 5–1 |
| Cornell | W 4–1 | ||
| Miami (OH) | L 4–1 (frozen four) | ||
| 2010 | Alabama–Huntsville | Miami (OH) | L 2-1 |
| Bemidji State | Michigan | L 5-1 |
^A At-large invitee. College Hockey America was not awarded an automatic bid until 2003.
Conference Tie-Breakers[]
- 1: Comparison of conference game results between tied teams (head to head)
- 2. Comparison of Conference Wins
- 3. Comparison of Results against the top two teams
- 4. Comparison of Results against the top four teams
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brown, Scott (April 23, 2006). A New World Order. USCHO.com. Retrieved on March 15, 2010.
- ↑ Morris, Geof F. (August 1, 2002). College Hockey America Starts Division I Women's League. USCHO.com. Retrieved on March 15, 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 WCHA Brings Aboard Bemidji, Omaha. USCHO.com. Retrieved on March 15, 2010.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lerch, Chris (January 28, 2009). Atlantic Hockey Approves Expansion: Niagara and Robert Morris To Join. USCHO.com. Retrieved on March 15, 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Staff (May 27, 2011). Wayne State drops women’s program; CHA left with four teams. U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved on May 27, 2011.
- ↑ Staff. "Lindenwood formally admitted into CHA", U.S. College Hockey Online, November 11, 2011. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
- ↑ Staff. "Lindenwood files application to join CHA", U.S. College Hockey Online, September 14, 2011. Retrieved on September 14, 2011.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lerch, Chris. "RIT to go D-I, play full CHA schedule in 2012–13", U.S. College Hockey Online, March 20, 2012. Retrieved on March 23, 2012.
- ↑ Horgan, Candace. "One step forward, one step back for CHA with Niagara dropping hockey", U.S. College Hockey Online, March 19, 2012. Retrieved on March 23, 2012.
- ↑ Staff (July 6, 2011). Penn State women apply to CHA. U.S. College Hockey Online. Retrieved on July 16, 2011.
- ↑ https://www.rmu.edu/about/news/hockey-info
- ↑ RMU Reinstates Hockey Programs For 2023-24. Robert Morris Colonials (December 17, 2021).
- ↑ College Hockey America Reinstates RMU. Robert Morris Colonials (March 3, 2022).
- ↑ College Hockey America (December 1, 2023). University of Delaware to Join College Hockey America for 2025-26 Season. Press release.
- ↑ College Hockey America (June 6, 2023). Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America to Merge Operations in 2024. Press release.
- ↑ Atlantic Hockey America (April 30, 2024). Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America Join to Form Atlantic Hockey America. Press release.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Wodon, Adam (January 6, 2004). Findlay To Drop Hockey. USCHO.com. Retrieved on March 14, 2010.
- ↑ Shaver, Wally. News and notes from the 2008 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four. Retrieved on 2010-01-28.
- ↑ http://www.purpleeagles.com/sports/mhockey/release.asp?release_id=11115 Niagara Men's Hockey To Join Atlantic Hockey
- ↑ http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=104225 Alabama-Huntsville interested in CCHA, WCHA
- ↑ http://www.uahchargers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1008&Itemid=245 CCHA denies hockey program's application for admission - Press Release - Aug. 11, 2009
- ↑ McLaughlin, Budd. "UAH program standing alone", The Huntsville Times, September 23, 2009.
External Links[]
| NCAA Division I hockey conferences | |
|---|---|
| Current | Atlantic Hockey - Big Ten Conference - Central Collegiate Hockey Association - College Hockey America (women's) - ECAC Hockey - Hockey East - National Collegiate Hockey Conference - New England Women's Hockey Alliance - Western Collegiate Hockey Association (women's) - Independents |
| Former | College Hockey America (men's) - Great West Hockey Conference - Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference - Tri-State League - Western Collegiate Hockey Association (men's) |
| Championships: Men / Women | |
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