Trine University Division III Men's and Women's Hockey Joins NCHA

Trine University, located in Angola, Indiana, announced today that their previously announced new Division III hockey programs will compete in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association on both the men's and women's side. They will become the 12th member of the men's league, and 10th member of the women's league, joining fellow newcomers Aurora University and Northland College on the women's side.

In a press release, schools officials gave the following quotes:

"Joining the NCHA provides the perfect opportunity for our student-athletes to have a positive experience in a growing conference," said Matt Land, assistant vice president of athletics at Trine University. "We are excited about the opportunities that joining the NCHA will provide for the student-athletes in our hockey programs both on and off the ice."

"As we launch and build our new men’s and women’s programs, we look forward to playing in a conference with competition that will test us, knowing it will help our Thunder teams develop and grow as we seek to make the name Trine University synonymous with quality collegiate hockey," said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine president.

Angola is the upper northeast corner of Indiana, just miles from both the Michigan and Ohio border. The school is building a $7.2 million, 1000-seat arena that will house both teams, and has announced former Nebraska Omaha assistant Alex Todd as the men's head coach, and Tom Hofman as head coach of the women's team.