The NCAA announced on Monday, August 11 that the RIT women’s hockey team will be a full-fledged member of Division I beginning with the 2014-15 season. RIT, a member of College Hockey America, will be eligible for full postseason play, effective this season.
“We are very pleased that our program has reached this milestone,” said Lou Spiotti, “RIT executive director of athletics. The NCAA has now acknowledged something that we know to be fact. RIT women’s hockey has arrived. This announcement serves as a portal for future growth and opportunities. I salute our coaching staff and our student-athletes, past and present as we look forward to many successes in the coming years.”
The Tigers announced their intentions to move up to Division I from Division III on March 20, 2012, just three days after winning the Division III National Championship, and played their first game as a Division I program five months later. RIT went 16-16-5 that season, advancing to the CHA Semifinal.
Last season, RIT finished 20-15-3 and won the College Hockey America Championship in just its second season as a Division I program, ending the season with a seven-game winning streak. The Tigers were just one of two teams (2014 NCAA National Champion Clarkson) to win its final game of the year.
Per NCAA rules, RIT was not eligible for the NCAA Tournament due to a two-year probationary period requirement in order to move from Division III to Division I.
The women’s hockey program is the second at RIT to play at the Division I level. The men’s hockey team moved to Division I in 2005, and just like the women, played two years at the probationary period before earning full membership in 2007.
“This is very exciting news for our program,” said RIT head coach Scott McDonald, now entering his ninth season behind the bench. “It is another step in the right direction for our program as we continue to build on our Division I success. We are excited to start the new season and be eligible for the NCAA Tournament.”
