The OTHER College Choice...

silent_bear · Post by **silent_bear** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:37 am

I was just doing some research and I stumbled across an entirely seperate college hockey organization. The ACHA, I understand that there are three divisions and obviously it wouldn't compete with NCAA Div 1, but does anyone know anything about it? Thanks
Shhhhhhh

Undercover Hockey Lover · Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:24 am

ACHA is College Club Hockey basically a step below DIII. A kind of intrAmural versus intermural league. A league for guys and gals that were either just not good enough or didn't have the desire or time to play college hockey full time or went to a school without a full fledged hockey program yet wanted to keep competing on a more relaxed basis. It has actually started some programs that may in a few years move to the next level. Schools like Georgia Tech, Georgia, Tennessee, Ball State, Robert Morris (Illinois), Iowa State (Wildcats) and NSU in Aberdeen, SD are a few examples. I know Robert Morris College (IL) Women's team has played in the last three National Title games going 2 - 1 and are contemplating the jump to D-III. They play teams like St. Thomas, Concordia-Moorhead and other MIAC schools winning their share of games. Minnesota, Michigan State and Wisconsin all have women's teams...I'm unsure of the men's side. Does that help?

Walter Sojack · Post by **Walter Sojack** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:50 am

Thats right on. D1 ACHA is a step below NCAA DIII, though as stated, a couple of teams (Iowa St. for example) could EASILY compete at the DIII level.

ACHA also has DII and DIII teams which generally have much less school given funds and often play JV NCAA DIII teams.

Rocket78 · Post by **Rocket78** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:08 am

The ACHA had a tournanment in Rochester last November. The games consisted of Division I and III in both mens and womens. Some games were very good and some were pretty poor (Maryland

)

Orange and Black · Post by **Orange and Black** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:18 pm

The ACHA at the top level is run very well, follows the NCAA rules nearly word for word and at a handful of campus's such as Illinois and Penn State draws crowds that could easily over take some NCAA DIII teams.

There has been many debates on the USCHO board about how club teams would fair against NCAA DIII teams. One of the top tier ACHA teams Rhode Island played in Norwich's Christmas tournament this past year as a late replacement and went 0-2 losing 7-3 and 8-0 to Amherst and Utica but earlier in the year beat Worcester State 6-3 and lost a 1 goal game to Wesleyan 3-4.

The $$ support each team gets varies from being treated as a varsity sport to being treated as a true club.

Minnesota's ACHA Teams

-D1-
None

-D2- (schools with NCAA teams are not allowed in D1) (few exceptions)

Mankato (only MN team invited to regionals)
U of M
St. Cloud
St. Thomas
St. Olaf (I believe they moved up from D3 but don't quote me)

All of them are members of the WCCHA (along with MI Tech)

-D3- National Tournament Rochester March 12-15

Mesabi Range
Carleton

If you (or anyone) has any other questions regarding the ACHA I'm sure I (Iowa State student) could answer them.