Dudley, Mass.- Nichols College President Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D. and Director of Athletics Charlyn Robert announced today the addition of women's ice hockey to Nichols existing athletics varsity programs. The team, which will be a member of the ECAC Women’s East Ice Hockey League, will commence varsity competition during the 2008-2009 academic year. Women’s ice hockey will be the 15th varsity sport sponsored by Nichols and its seventh women’s sport.
"Nichols College is very pleased to be able to provide an additional varsity opportunity to our female students by moving our women’s ice hockey program to varsity status for 2008-2009,” said Townsley. “With the popularity and publicity surrounding women's ice hockey over the last few years, we have women from all over the country who have come to Nichols to play ice hockey while earning a career-focused business education."
Women’s ice hockey has operated as a club team since 2003 at Nichols and has quickly grown into one of the top teams in the ACHA Northeast (American Collegiate Hockey Association). The Bison began the 2005-06 season with ten players on their roster but expanded to a full 25 player roster last season, playing against varsity NCAA Division III programs as well as other ACHA opponents. Nichols will continue to have a competitive schedule this winter as it preps for its first season as a varsity program next year.
“This is a very exciting endeavor for the College,” said Robert. “Women’s athletics at Nichols is 30 years young and has shown steady growth and success through out the three decades.” Women’s Basketball and softball were the first sports to open the door to female athletes at Nichols while the most recent addition was women’s lacrosse in 2000.
The ECAC Women’s East Hockey League is currently comprised of: Castleton State College, College of the Holy Cross, Manhattanville College, UMass Boston, M.I.T., New England College, Norwich University, Plymouth State University, Saint Anselm College, Saint Michael’s College, Salve Regina University, and the University of Southern Maine.