Atlantic Hockey Association welcomes back Robert Morris’ men’s program
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Robert Morris men’s hockey reached a major milestone Friday in its return to competition when it was welcomed back into the Atlantic Hockey Association by a vote of the AHA Board of Directors. Robert Morris will put a team back on the ice in time for the 2023-24 season.
The Robert Morris Board of Trustees reinstated the men’s and women’s hockey programs Dec. 17 after the programs were initially eliminated but brought back through an extensive fundraising campaign.
The RMU women’s hockey program was reinstated into College Hockey America (CHA) last month.
“On behalf of the Atlantic Hockey Association, I want to welcome Robert Morris University back to the AHA,” Atlantic Hockey Commissioner Robert M. DeGregorio said in a statement. “RMU was a valued member of our conference during its earlier tenure, and we look forward to seeing the Colonials back on the ice and competing in Atlantic Hockey in 2023-24.”
Said RMU athletic director Chris King: “Today is an exciting day for men’s hockey at RMU, as the opportunity to rejoin Atlantic Hockey is the next step in relaunching the program. We’re grateful to Atlantic Hockey Commissioner Robert DeGregorio as well as the administrations throughout the league for providing the opportunity to rejoin the conference. Atlantic Hockey is widely respected throughout the college hockey community, and we’re excited to get back to competing for championships on a yearly basis.”
Derek Schooley, the only head coach in Colonials men’s hockey history, signed a five-year contract with RMU in February that runs through the 2026-27 season. Schooley (275-275-68) has guided the Colonials to two Atlantic Hockey regular-season championships (2015, 2016) and the 2021 Atlantic Hockey Western Pod title. When Robert Morris won the Atlantic Hockey Tournament championship in 2014, the program earned its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
“We’re very excited to be reinstated back into Atlantic Hockey,” Schooley said. “Thank you to the conference athletic directors and presidents for allowing us to return to a league we’ve called home since 2010.”
The 10-team Atlantic Hockey Association comprises teams from American International, Bentley, Canisius, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, Niagara, Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart, Air Force and Army.