ELMIRA, N.Y. – Elmira College Director of Athletics Rhonda Faunce announced today that the Elmira College men's and women's ice hockey teams will compete in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC), beginning in the 2025-26 season. The move will mark the departure of Elmira from the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC), which the Soaring Eagles have been a member of since the start of the 2021-22 season. Elmira College will compete in the NEHC for the 2024-25 season before moving back to the UCHC.
"We are excited to return to a familiar home for our hockey programs ahead of the 2025-26 season," said Faunce. "The UCHC Championship trophy is named after Pat Thompson, former Vice President of Athletics at Elmira, and we were fortunate to be able to capture five league championships in the league between our two programs in just four seasons (2017-21). Returning to a league that we are familiar with and is more regionally located will provide a positive experience for our student-athletes and fan base."
Aaron Saul '98: Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach
"We are excited to return to the UCHC. Being familiar with the teams and travel in the league is a plus for us, and will be a smooth transition for our program. The excitement to renew rivalries with teams that we have a strong history with will be fun for the players and our fans."
Greg Haney: Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach
"Returning to the UCHC presents an exciting new challenge, while our student-athletes will benefit from traveling and competing more within our region."
ABOUT ELMIRA MEN'S ICE HOCKEY
The Elmira College Men's Ice Hockey program heads into its 52nd season during the 2024-25 season, and has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in two of the last three seasons as a member of the NEHC. Qualifying for the national tournament 18 times in program history, the Soaring Eagles have had 22 men's ice hockey players earn All-American status, while as a team, Elmira has captured 11 league championships, including the UCHC title during the Spring of 2021.
ABOUT ELMIRA WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY
Entering its 24th season in program history in 2024-25, the Elmira women's ice hockey program captured the first two NCAA Division III Championships during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. After capturing its third national title during the 2012-13 season, Elmira most recently made the NCAA Championship contest this past season, its eighth appearance all-time. In all, the Soaring Eagles captured seven ECAC West Championships, four UCHC Championships, and have captured the Mariano Cup in the New England Hockey Conference in two of its three seasons in the league. In all, the Soaring Eagles have placed 21 members on All-American teams.
ABOUT THE UCHC
The United Collegiate Hockey Conference is a collaborative effort to provide a competitive environment and structure for NCAA Division III men's and women's ice hockey in the Eastern United States. The UCHC will enter its eighth season in 2024-25 with first-year members SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo joining founding members Chatham University, Manhattanville University, Nazareth University and Utica University. For more on the UCHC, visit the league's homepage at http://www.theuchc.com/.
ABOUT THE NEHC
The New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) prides itself on being one of the premiere playing conferences for NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Hockey in the country. The league and its members are committed to promoting the sport of hockey, recognizing the student-athletes, and promoting fair play and sportsmanship while maintaining a high level of competition.
