sbkbghockey
Registered User
Re: NAIA Hockey Possible Comeback
I'm generally not a fan of that site, but the NAIA Hockey org was always a stop-gap between the ACHA and full NAIA status when they gain enough schools, many still playing ACHA in addition to the steady expansion of NAIA schools starting new fully funded varsity hockey programs.
Other emerging NAIA sports have remained in the non-NCAA governing bodies like men's lacrosse, bowling, cheerleading, women's wrestling, etc... long enough to gain that full NAIA standing (20-25 teams min). A few have been pushed out of those orgs and had to have stop-gap orgs during the emerging phase.
Although, Chris Heisler tends to be very biased towards orgs he's worked with or connected to in some fashion, and some of his "reporting" is more tabloid rather than newspaper, a major reason for the change of direction might be found in one of his other recent articles: https://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=93554
The ACHA has had a change of leadership at the top, and that likely comes with new guidance and direction. Craig Barnett, longtime NCAA conference admin, NCAA hockey guy, and longtime NAHL exec, is now the Executive Director at the ACHA. A few years ago, it looked like they were pushing the NAIA and varsity programs to the door but it looks like a under Barnett, the ACHA is welcoming those programs back to their Division I level. Could be a win-win during the emerging sports phase, it allows the NAIA to grow its programs in a stable org with USAH connections, University Winter Games exposure, and also helps the ACHA show their level is more than club hockey, especially at the ACHA DI level.
I'm generally not a fan of that site, but the NAIA Hockey org was always a stop-gap between the ACHA and full NAIA status when they gain enough schools, many still playing ACHA in addition to the steady expansion of NAIA schools starting new fully funded varsity hockey programs.
Other emerging NAIA sports have remained in the non-NCAA governing bodies like men's lacrosse, bowling, cheerleading, women's wrestling, etc... long enough to gain that full NAIA standing (20-25 teams min). A few have been pushed out of those orgs and had to have stop-gap orgs during the emerging phase.
Although, Chris Heisler tends to be very biased towards orgs he's worked with or connected to in some fashion, and some of his "reporting" is more tabloid rather than newspaper, a major reason for the change of direction might be found in one of his other recent articles: https://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=93554
The ACHA has had a change of leadership at the top, and that likely comes with new guidance and direction. Craig Barnett, longtime NCAA conference admin, NCAA hockey guy, and longtime NAHL exec, is now the Executive Director at the ACHA. A few years ago, it looked like they were pushing the NAIA and varsity programs to the door but it looks like a under Barnett, the ACHA is welcoming those programs back to their Division I level. Could be a win-win during the emerging sports phase, it allows the NAIA to grow its programs in a stable org with USAH connections, University Winter Games exposure, and also helps the ACHA show their level is more than club hockey, especially at the ACHA DI level.