Beginning in the 2012-2013 year, Aurora University will sponsor an intercollegiate men's hockey team.
“Hockey is an exciting sport with deep roots in the greater Chicago area,” said Provost Andrew Manion. “We recognize that there are many high school students looking for an opportunity to play competitive hockey at the collegiate level while enjoying a high quality educational experience. We want Aurora University to be the place for these student-athletes to find what they are looking for.”
Ryan Buchanan has been tapped as the first head coach of the team, which will begin as a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (Division III). Buchanan will direct the program with the eventual goal of joining the university's additional 20 varsity sports as an NCAA Division III program. Buchanan also serves as an assistant baseball coach and the event manager at AU.
"I would like to thank Aurora University, President Rebecca Sherrick, Provost Andrew Manion and Athletic Director Mark Walsh for providing me with the great opportunity to build the men's hockey program. I am excited about the challenge ahead and look forward to expanding my role as part of the Aurora University community,” said Buchanan.
AU will begin the men's hockey program with current student-athletes who have expressed an interest in the sport. Those interested in participating in hockey at Aurora University are encouraged to contact Coach Buchanan for further information at 630-844-6891 or Buchanan@aurora.edu.
“I am pleased to announce that we have continued our long history at Aurora University of looking at ways to accommodate the interests and abilities of students by sponsoring men's hockey as a sport,” said Director of Athletics Mark Walsh. “This should prove to be another exciting opportunity for students at AU and the campus community."
Aurora University is a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference, Midwest Men's Lacrosse Conference and the Northern Athletics Conference (NAC). The NAC began its first season of competition in the fall of 2006. The NAC consists of 13 colleges and universities from the shared-border states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Member schools include: Alverno College, Aurora University, Benedictine University, Concordia University Chicago, Concordia University Wisconsin, Dominican University, Edgewood College, Lakeland College, Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Marian College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Rockford College and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Aurora University sponsors all of the 18 Northern Athletics Conference sponsored sports as well as men's and women's lacrosse. Men's teams in the NAC include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Women's squads are fielded in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and volleyball.
