ASU announces promotion of men’s hockey program to NCAA Division I
Nov 18, 2014, 10:00 PM | Updated: Nov 19, 2014, 1:24 am
On Tuesday, Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson announced that the university’s men’s hockey program was being promoted to NCAA Division I status. The change will take effect in 2016.
“Head coach Greg Powers has built a powerhouse ice hockey program here in Tempe, and because of his work it was probably a matter not of ‘if’ but ‘when’ Sun Devil Hockey would be ready to compete at the highest level,” Anderson said. “I am grateful for the generosity shown by our hockey supporters to make this move possible, and I am hopeful that more members of the extended Sun Devils Athletics family will help us grow this program for the future.”
More than $30 million in funding was needed to elevate the program’s status and the university’s release pointed to Don Mullett, father of one-time Sun Devil hockey player Chris Mullett, along with other supporters, who together donated $32 million.
Penn State was the last power-five conference school to add men’s hockey as a Division I sport.
“I am privileged to help usher in a new chapter for Sun Devil Hockey and help elevate the program into a position to compete for an NCAA Championship,” Mullett said. “Currently Sun Devil Hockey is dominating its competition. I can only imagine the success the program can achieve under Ray Anderson’s plan for the future of Sun Devil Athletics.”
ASU’s hockey team captured the 2014 American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship after going 38-2-0 in the 2013-2014 season.
The promotion of the program gives the Sun Devils 23 NCAA-sponsored teams.
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