Mercyhurst University will discontinue its Division I men’s ice hockey program after this academic year, officials announced in a statement Friday.
Athletic Director Joe Spano said the decision follows a month-long review of the university’s academic and athletic programs. The process began after President Kathleen Getz notified staff that Mercyhurst was evaluating restructuring efforts to better align with student interests and workforce needs.
Over the past several weeks, the athletic department assessed all programs before ultimately deciding to eliminate men’s hockey at the Division I level.
“We took a really hard look at everything, and this is what made sense strategically—how it fit into the big picture and how we will be able to support it in the future,” Spano said.
Getz said the move is part of a broader effort to position the university for long-term success as it approaches its 100th anniversary.
Spano said no other athletic programs will be affected.
Student-athletes impacted by the decision will retain their scholarships, receive academic advising, and be offered assistance if they choose to transfer.
Members of the coaching staff are free to pursue other opportunities, and the university will support them in their job searches, Spano said.
Mercyhurst will continue to sponsor women’s Division I hockey, as well as men’s club hockey and its other Division I sports.
“We’re past the analysis and restructuring phase, and this is the plan moving forward,” Spano said. “The women’s program is very successful, and we’re proud of it. We look forward to continuing to support it and watching it flourish.”
The men’s hockey program has competed at the Division I level since the 1999–2000 season. Head coach Rick Gotkin, who recently completed his 38th and final season, led the program throughout its entire Division I tenure.
During that span, Mercyhurst made three NCAA Tournament appearances, won two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference titles, and captured two Atlantic Hockey Association regular-season championships along with one conference tournament title.
Atlantic Hockey America Commissioner Michelle Morgan said the conference was shocked by today’s announcement.
“This isn’t something anybody necessarily saw coming,” said Morgan. “Knowing there’s people behind this decision and knowing there are people that this affects. There’s people learning today that their roles and their college careers at an institution they committed to are no more.”