Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU Department of Athletics announced Friday that the Atlantic Hockey Board of Directors has voted to reinstate the men's hockey program back into the conference. RMU's reinstatement as a full member is effective immediately, and the Colonials will return to competition in Atlantic Hockey for the 2023-24 season.
"On behalf of the Atlantic Hockey Association I want to welcome Robert Morris University back to the AHA," said Atlantic Hockey Commissioner
Robert M. DeGregorio. "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."
The Colonials rejoin Atlantic Hockey after the RMU Board of Trustees agreed to reinstate the men's and women's programs Dec. 17, 2021. Following the reinstatement of the programs, RMU applied for readmittance to Atlantic Hockey earlier this year and that request was granted with the board's recent vote. The RMU women's hockey program was
reinstated into College Hockey America (CHA) last month.
"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," RMU Vice President & Director of Athletics
Chris King '94 said. "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."
The Colonials are led by
Derek Schooley, the only head coach in program history. He signed a
five-year contract with RMU in February and is signed through the 2026-27 season. Schooley owns an overall record of 275-275-68 (.500) and has guided the Colonials to two Atlantic Hockey regular-season championships (2015, 2016), the 2021 Atlantic Hockey Western Pod title as well as the 2014 Atlantic Hockey Tournament crown. The 2014 tournament championship earned RMU a bid to the 2014 NCAA Tournament, its first appearance in program history.
"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. Atlantic Hockey is a very deep and challenging league with outstanding coaches and programs. We look forward to building on our championship resume within the AHA and can't wait to continue the rivalries we've had against some very good teams in 2023-24."
Fans interested in season tickets for either the men's or women's hockey programs can reserve season tickets for the 2023-24 season by
submitting a season ticket interest form. Clearview Arena at the RMU Island Sports Center is near a sellout for the 2023-24 season based on previously submitted pledges, and availability is determined on a first come, first serve basis.
About Atlantic Hockey (AtlanticHockeyOnline.com)
The Atlantic Hockey Association marked its 19th season of competition in 2021-22. The 10-team NCAA Division I conference consists of American International College (Yellow Jackets), Bentley University (Falcons), Canisius College (Golden Griffins), The College of the Holy Cross (Crusaders), Mercyhurst University (Lakers), Niagara University (Purple Eagles), Rochester Institute of Technology (Tigers), Sacred Heart University (Pioneers), the United States Air Force Academy (Falcons) and the United States Military Academy (Black Knights). The AHA will grow to 11 teams with the return of Robert Morris University (Colonials) for the 2023-24 season.
About RMU Athletics (RMUColonials.com)
From its fertile beginning as a men's basketball junior college powerhouse to one of the most diverse athletic programs in the Pittsburgh tri-state area, RMU offers 17 intercollegiate athletic programs, including the only NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey and men's lacrosse programs in the region. Over the last 45 years, the Colonials have claimed 52 conference regular season and 53 league tournament titles.
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