ROCHESTER, NY - The United Collegiate Hockey Conference has announced that it will add an institution to its growing membership for the 2021-2022 season. Arcadia University has been approved to add their newly created NCAA men's and women's ice hockey programs into the conference for their upcoming inaugural season to begin in the Fall of 2021. Arcadia's application was approved in a vote held recently among the presidents of UCHC member institutions.


"Arcadia University impressed us with their comprehensive planning and resource allocation," UCHC Commissioner Chuck Mitrano said. "They are in a position for success and we are excited to welcome to the Knights to the UCHC family."

The men's team will become the eleventh member of the UCHC, and the women's squad will become the twelfth in the conference's wide-ranging regional membership. Arcadia is the fifth Pennsylvania-based institution to announce a new men's or women's program in the UCHC in the last four years. There are now seven UCHC member schools based in Pennsylvania.

Arcadia University executive director of athletics Brian Granata is thrilled that his newest programs have been granted the exemplary competitive opportunities that the conference provides its member institutions and student-athletes.

"We are very excited to be accepted as a member of the UCHC," Granata said. "The UCHC is a premier ice hockey conference and will provide high-quality competition against reputable institutions for programs. We are pleased to be able to join a conference that provides access to an NCAA automatic qualification bid for our student-athletes. We look forward to our inaugural season in 2021-22."

Arcadia University president Dr. Ajay Nair also expressed his appreciation to the conference and its members for their support of the university's vision for ice hockey.

"Arcadia is excited to offer men's and women's ice hockey players at Arcadia the opportunity to compete against the esteemed schools in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference," Dr. Nair said. "We would like to thank Commissioner Mitrano and the entire UCHC for supporting Arcadia's addition of men's and women's ice hockey and for welcoming us into the conference."

Arcadia previously announced that it has agreed to terms with a facility to host the programs, along with investing in substantial improvements to aid them on the track to success. The Knights plan to play at the Hatfield Ice Arena, located in Colmar, Pennsylvania. The facility contains three sheets of ice, including the Gray Rink where Arcadia plans to play. The university and the facility are sharing in the cost of a substantial renovation project that includes two locker rooms, bathrooms, showers, laundry room, coaching offices, and players' lounges along with storage and athletic training space.

The University plans to announce head coaches for their programs in the coming days. The coaches will have nearly two full academic years to recruit a roster and build up other aspects of the program before beginning play.

Founded in 1853, Arcadia University is Philadelphia's global university and a pioneer in international education. It is a top-ranked private university offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In addition to six colleges and schools in the United States, it has 10 centers and offices around the world. Every year, its faculty and staff enrich the lives of 3,700 current students, 3,000 study abroad participants, and more than 26,000 alumni.

The United Collegiate Hockey Conference will begin its third season of play this Fall. For more on the conference, its members, and the chase for the Pat Thompson Championship Trophies, visit www.theuchc.com.