The United Collegiate Hockey Conference will expand its men’s membership by an additional team to 12 with Misericordia University joining the league in 2024-25.

“Misericordia has a comprehensive and very competitive athletics program across the board,” said UCHC Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “We are excited to be part of their history with the addition of men’s ice hockey and what is sure to be another competitive program that provides quality experiences for their student-athletes and UCHC peers.”
 
Misericordia University is a highly personal community of 2,000 students located in Dallas, Pa. As a private, Catholic institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia emphasizes collaborative and hands-on learning as well as co-curricular activities provided by engaged faculty and staff.  The university challenges students to excel academically, professionally, and socially and has notably superior graduation and retention rates. The university’s core values of Mercy, Service, Justice, and Hospitality underpin all of the more than 50 academic programs. Misericordia University will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024.
 
“We welcome the opportunity to join the United Collegiate Hockey Conference as we look forward to our first season of men’s ice hockey in 2024-25,” said Dr. Dan Myers, Misericordia University president.  “Misericordia University is committed to expanding opportunities for our student-athletes and the UCHC provides an opportunity for our men’s ice hockey team to compete in the MAC and beyond.”
 
Athletically, Misericordia has achieved plenty of success as a member of the MAC Freedom Conference. Most recently, the MU women’s soccer team achieved the number one ranking in the nation in 2022 and advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament.  The Cougars baseball team won 10 straight MAC Freedom titles from 2011-2021, while several student-athletes have earned conference, regional and national accolades.
 
The Cougars will play and practice at the Toyota SportsPlex on Coal Street in nearby Wilkes-Barre, Pa. with fellow UCHC rival Wilkes University. The facility is the practice home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. In addition to the Toyota SportsPlex, the team will also have the opportunity to practice at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township, the 8,300-seat venue that is the home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The 19th sport added since Misericordia joined the NCAA Division III in 1992, ice hockey brings MU's total number of intercollegiate offerings to 28. For more information on Misericordia men’s hockey, visit https://athletics.misericordia.edu/sports/mens-ice-hockey.
 
“We are excited about the chance to join many of our fellow MAC institutions as a member of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference,” said Chuck Edkins, director of athletics at Misericordia University.  “In addition, we look forward to renewing some rivalries with conference rivals from the past and creating new rivalries with institutions from other regions.  Membership in the UCHC will have significant, positive impact on the delivery of our men’s ice hockey program.”
 
ABOUT THE UNITED COLLEGIATE HOCKEY CONFERENCE
The United Collegiate Hockey Conference is a collaborative effort between eleven institutions to provide a competitive environment and structure for NCAA Division III men's and women's ice hockey in the Eastern United States. Our membership encompasses a wide geographic area spanning from Central and Western New York to the greater Pittsburgh and Baltimore areas. In its sixth season, the UCHC will incorporate the efforts of ice hockey student-athletes from Arcadia University, Alvernia University, Chatham University, King's College, Lebanon Valley College, Manhattanville College, Nazareth College, Neumann University, Stevenson University, Utica University, and Wilkes University into their strong, but evolving membership that strives for on-ice excellence while also preparing student athletes for their off-ice futures. For more on the UCHC, visit the league's homepage at http://www.TheUCHC.com, or follow the league on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/UCHCHockey.