Sacred Heart University (DII) to Reclassify to Division I for Spring Semester
Sacred Heart University (DII) has officially announced its move to Division I of AAU College Hockey, effective for the Spring 2025 semester. The decision comes after a unique opportunity arose when a current Division I member opted to forgo its National Championship autobid, allowing SHU to step up to the AAU College Hockey's premier level of competition.
Head Coach Joseph Lane, who has been with the program since its inception in 2021 and is a proud alumnus of the university, shared his thoughts on the team’s reclassification.
“Our team is both proud and excited to announce our decision to reclassify into Division 1 moving into the Spring semester. This decision was not made lightly, but I have full confidence in the ability of this team to perform at the premier level of AAU College Hockey,” Lane stated. “Since the team’s inception four years ago, we have fought through many adversities to reach this point, and being placed in an underdog position yet again will only highlight our capabilities. As Sacred Heart University’s third of four competitive men’s club hockey teams, we are eager to develop the recognition and reputation of both our school and team. With this move, we will push the boundaries of our growth potential.
Joining Division 1 and competing against fellow ECHC opponents reignites some old rivalries and introduces new ones. We look forward to finishing strong this semester by defending our Black Division Empire Conference Championship, competing in Jacksonville, Florida for a national title, and tackling Division 1 head-on in the 2025-2026 season.”
With this reclassification, Sacred Heart University joins Farmingdale State College (DI), the University of Delaware, and fellow in-state teams Fairfield University (DI) and Quinnipiac University as members of the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference at the Division I level.
The move marks a significant milestone for the program, which has steadily grown in competitiveness and reputation since its founding. Under Lane’s leadership, the team’s impressive rise within the AAU College Hockey ranks reflects the expanding prominence of non-varsity hockey at Sacred Heart University.
As Sacred Heart joins the ranks of Division I, anticipation builds for the team’s performance in upcoming conference play and its pursuit of continued success on the national stage.
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ABOUT the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference:
Founded in 2009, the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference (ECHC) is an intercollegiate hockey conference dedicated to promoting competitive non-varsity hockey across the Northeastern United States. The ECHC features teams competing at the Division I, Division II, and Division III levels within AAU College Hockey. The conference is committed to delivering a premier hockey experience emphasizing student-athlete development, academic achievement, and sportsmanship. The Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference is a 501(c) not for profit organization.