College Hockey South Announces Women’s Teams Joining the ACHA for 2025-2026 Season

College Hockey South (CHS) is proud to announce that thirteen women’s teams will compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Women’s Division II beginning in the 2025-2026 season.

The following CHS women’s programs have applied and been accepted as full ACHA members:

• Auburn University

• Clemson University

• Florida State University

• Georgia Southern University

• Kennesaw State University

• University of Alabama

• University of Florida

• University of Georgia

• University of Miami

• University of South Carolina

• University of South Florida

• University of Tampa

• University of Tennessee

“This marks another significant milestone for women’s college hockey in the Southeast,” said CHS Commissioner Kyle Knell. “By joining the ACHA, our women’s programs will gain access to a stronger competitive structure, more national exposure, and expanded postseason opportunities. We are excited to see these programs continue to grow and thrive within the ACHA framework.”

This announcement follows last month’s news that CHS will return to the ACHA as a full member in 2025-2026, fielding teams in Men’s Division II and Men’s Division III.

In that earlier announcement, found on the ACHA website, CHS revealed the following teams will be competing in each division:

Men’s Division II

• Florida Atlantic University

• Middle Tennessee State University

• University of Florida

• University of Tampa

Men’s Division III

• Clemson University

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

• Florida Atlantic University

• Florida Southern College

• Kennesaw State University

• University of Alabama-Huntsville

• University of Central Florida

• University of Miami

• University of Mississippi

• University of South Florida

• University of Tampa

The remaining CHS men’s programs not competing in the ACHA will participate in the North American Collegiate Hockey League (NACHL), ensuring all CHS men’s teams have a competitive home.

This is another exciting step forward for College Hockey South,” Knell added. “Our men’s and women’s programs will now have opportunities to compete at the highest levels of non-NCAA collegiate hockey through both the ACHA and NACHL. Each league offers unique benefits that will help our student-athletes develop, our programs grow, and the game continue to expand across the Southeast.”

For more information about the ACHA, visit www.achahockey.org.

For more information about the NACHL, visit www.nachl.org.

ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 31-school, 46 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning eight southeastern U.S. states. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.