NCHA and WIAC Agree on Early Departures
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - 1:23pm
By:
Greg Chandler
FOX 21 News, KQDS DT
The University of Wisconsin-Superior and four other schools will join the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association's new hockey league a year earlier than planned.
The WIAC and Northern Collegiate Hockey Conference agreed to allow the five schools to leave the NCHA after the 2012-13 season because of scheduling considerations. Both the NCHA Men's and Women's league complete schedule rotations after the 2012-13 season, making it easier for the WIAC schools to leave.
In a joint statement, NCHA Commissioner Bill Kronschnabel and WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner said “After considerable discussion, it was determined that it was in the best interest of both the NCHA and WIAC to move up the departure date. In so doing, both conferences can begin immediately to stabilize their respective memberships and to develop long-term scheduling arrangements.”
The schools leaving the NCHA with UWS are UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point, UW-River Falls, and UW-Stout. All five schools compete in the WIAC in all other sports.