Starting a Club Hockey Team at Your University: Complete Guide

You want hockey at your school, but there's no varsity program. Club hockey is the answer. Every year, students at universities across the country start club teams from scratch. Some grow into ACHA powerhouses. Others become beloved campus traditions that connect generations of alumni.

This guide walks you through the entire process, from "Is there interest?" to "We won our first game."

Key Takeaways

Confirm real interest before doing anything else—you need 25-30 committed players

Budget $30,000-80,000 for your first season depending on travel and ice costs

Start the process 12-18 months before your target first game

University recognition is essential for funding, facilities, and legitimacy

Phase 1: Gauging Interest (Month 1-2)

Before investing serious time, confirm that enough students actually want to play—and are willing to commit time and money.

The Interest Survey

Create a simple form asking:

Have you played hockey before? (Years, highest level)

Would you pay $500-1,500 to play club hockey?

Can you commit to 2-3 practices/week plus weekend games?

What position do you play?

Do you have your own equipment?

Would you be interested in leadership roles?

Where to Find Players

Campus recreation center bulletin boards

Student organization fairs

Campus subreddits and Facebook groups

Intramural hockey (if it exists)

Roller hockey club

Canadian/Minnesota/Michigan/Massachusetts student groups

Transfer students from hockey schools

Minimum Viable Roster

You need:

**25-30 committed players** (expect 20% attrition)

**At least 2 goalies** (hardest to find)

**5-7 players willing to lead** (founding board)

If your survey doesn't hit these numbers, you might need to wait a year and build more interest.

Phase 2: University Recognition (Month 2-4)

Getting official university recognition is non-negotiable. Without it, you can't:

Access student activity funding

Reserve university facilities

Use the university name

Get liability coverage through the school

Recruit officially

Club Sports Office

Most universities have a club sports or recreation department. They oversee:

Club recognition process

Insurance requirements

Travel policies

Facility access

Funding allocation

**First meeting agenda**:

Introduce yourself and the idea

Ask about recognition requirements

Understand insurance and liability

Learn about funding opportunities

Ask about ice access (if on campus)

Recognition Requirements (Typical)

**Constitution**: Governing document with purpose, membership, elections, etc.

**Roster**: Minimum number of members (often 15-20)

**Leadership**: Officers (President, VP, Treasurer, etc.)

**Advisor**: Faculty or staff sponsor

**Risk management plan**: Safety protocols for a contact sport

Sample Constitution Outline

**Name**: University of [X] Club Hockey

**Purpose**: Provide competitive hockey opportunity for students

**Membership**: Open to all enrolled students

**Officers**: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary

**Elections**: Annual, end of spring semester

**Meetings**: Minimum monthly during season

**Dues**: Amount determined annually by executive board

**Amendments**: Two-thirds vote of active members

Faculty Advisor

You need a faculty or staff member willing to:

Sign off on paperwork

Occasionally attend meetings

Be a point of contact for administration

Good candidates: professors who played hockey, rec center staff, athletics department contacts.

Phase 3: Financial Planning (Month 3-5)

Club hockey is expensive. Build a realistic budget before collecting any money.

First-Year Budget Template

**Expenses**:

| Category | Low Estimate | High Estimate |

|----------|--------------|---------------|

| ACHA registration | $500 | $500 |

| Insurance (if not through school) | $2,000 | $5,000 |

| Ice time (15-20 games) | $8,000 | $15,000 |

| Practice ice (2x/week, 24 weeks) | $10,000 | $20,000 |

| Referee fees | $3,000 | $6,000 |

| League dues | $1,000 | $3,000 |

| Jerseys (home/away) | $3,000 | $6,000 |

| Equipment (pucks, tape, etc.) | $500 | $1,000 |

| Travel (5-10 away weekends) | $5,000 | $25,000 |

| Tournament entry | $500 | $2,000 |

| **Total** | **$33,500** | **$83,500** |

**Revenue**:

| Source | Low | High |

|--------|-----|------|

| Player dues (25 @ $800-2,000) | $20,000 | $50,000 |

| Student government funding | $5,000 | $15,000 |

| Fundraising | $2,000 | $10,000 |

| Sponsorships | $1,000 | $10,000 |

| Gate receipts | $500 | $3,000 |

| **Total** | **$28,500** | **$88,000** |

Keeping Costs Down

**Ice time**:

Partner with local adult leagues for practice ice

Early morning or late night slots are cheaper

Negotiate multi-week commitments

**Travel**:

Drive vs. fly (9-passenger vans or parent carpools)

Stay with host families or double up hotel rooms

Pack meals instead of restaurants

**Jerseys**:

Start with one set and add second later

Consider used equipment sources

Require players to provide own gear

Funding Sources

**Student Activity Fee**: Most universities allocate funds to recognized clubs based on size and activity level.

**Grants**: Some schools have competitive grants for new clubs or special equipment.

**Fundraising**: Car washes, restaurant nights, 50/50 raffles, alumni outreach.

**Sponsorships**: Local businesses, hockey equipment companies, alumni-owned businesses.

**Crowdfunding**: GoFundMe or university-specific platforms for specific needs (jerseys, equipment).

Phase 4: Finding Ice (Month 4-6)

Ice time is the biggest challenge for new club teams.

Types of Facilities

**On-campus rink**: Ideal but rare. Easier scheduling, builds fan base.

**Off-campus private rink**: Most common. Negotiate rates, understand travel logistics.

**Municipal rinks**: Often cheaper but limited availability.

**Mall rinks or smaller venues**: Last resort—non-standard sizes create issues.

Negotiating Ice Contracts

Commit to full season for better rates

Ask about off-peak discounts

Inquire about practice-only vs. game rates

Understand cancellation policies

Ask if any existing adult leagues want to share slots

Game Day Logistics

If your rink is off-campus:

Transportation for players

Where visitors change

Scoreboard/timing operator

PA system

First aid access

Phase 5: ACHA Registration (Month 5-7)

The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the governing body for club hockey.

ACHA Divisions

| Division | Description |

|----------|-------------|

| Division I | Highest level, major commitment, often recruits |

| Division II | Competitive but more balanced with academics |

| Division III | Recreational competitive, lower travel/cost |

**New teams usually start at Division III** and can apply to move up after proving competitiveness.

Registration Process

Submit intent to join ACHA (spring before target season)

Complete application with school verification

Pay registration fees

Pass administrative review

Get assigned to regional league

Submit roster by deadline

Important Deadlines

**Intent to join**: January-March before fall season

**Application deadline**: April-May

**Roster submission**: September (varies by region)

**Eligibility verification**: Ongoing

Eligibility Rules

ACHA has academic eligibility requirements:

Full-time enrollment

Minimum GPA (2.0-2.5 typically)

Maximum semesters of eligibility

Transfer rules

Assign someone to track eligibility—violations can forfeit games.

Phase 6: Building the Roster (Month 6-8)

Transition from interest survey to committed roster.

Try-outs

Even for a new team, hold tryouts:

Demonstrates seriousness

Evaluates skill levels

Identifies goalies

Shows you're organized

**Format**:

2-3 sessions over a weekend

Skating drills, puck handling, scrimmage

Evaluators (ideally 3-5)

Clear evaluation criteria

Commitment Requirements

Before finalizing roster, confirm each player:

Understands dues amount and payment schedule

Can commit to full schedule

Meets eligibility requirements

Signed liability waivers

USA Hockey registered

Roles to Fill

Beyond players, you need:

**Team Manager**: Schedule, travel logistics, paperwork

**Treasurer**: Dues collection, bill payment, budgeting

**Equipment Manager**: Jerseys, pucks, first aid

**Statistician**: Track and report stats

**Social Media/Marketing**: Build following

Phase 7: Pre-Season Preparation (Month 8-12)

The months before your first game are about details.

Scheduling

Work with your ACHA region to build schedule:

Conference games (required)

Non-conference games (optional, build record)

Showcase tournaments (exposure)

Rivalry games (attendance boosters)

Practice Plan

Structure your limited ice:

Skills development (early season)

Systems introduction (mid-season)

Game preparation (late season)

Game Operations

Plan for home games:

Volunteer schedule (door, penalty box, scoreboard)

Visiting team instructions

Locker room assignments

PA music/announcements

Photographer/videographer

Promotion

Build campus awareness:

Social media presence

Campus newspaper coverage

Flyers and posters

Table at campus events

Partnership with other sports clubs

Year One Expectations

What Success Looks Like

**On ice**: Compete in most games, show improvement through season, avoid forfeits.

**Off ice**: Pay all bills, retain core players, build fan base, recruit for next year.

**Organizationally**: Smooth operations, good relationship with university, no major incidents.

Common First-Year Challenges

**Goalie shortage**: Have backup plans (borrow from other teams)

**Player attrition**: Expect to lose 20% of roster mid-season

**Cash flow**: Dues paid late while bills come due

**Burnout**: Leadership doing everything—delegate early

Building for Year Two

Start recruiting new freshmen immediately. Host rink nights in spring. Stay visible on campus. Document everything for next year's leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long until we're competitive?

A: Most programs need 3-5 years to establish consistent competitiveness. Focus on building culture first, wins follow.

Q: Can we play before ACHA acceptance?

A: Yes—schedule exhibition games against other clubs or adult league teams to build experience.

Q: What if we don't have enough goalies?

A: Common problem. Recruit hard, offer equipment to converts, network with other teams to borrow for specific games.

Q: Do we need a coach?

A: Not required at ACHA Division III—many teams are player-coached. Advisable to find one eventually for development.

Q: What about women's club hockey?

A: ACHA has women's divisions. Same process applies. Check your region for women's league availability.

Q: Can we have both men's and women's teams?

A: Yes! Many schools do. Share administrative resources but maintain separate budgets and rosters.

Conclusion

Starting a club hockey team is a massive undertaking. You're building something from nothing—an organization, a culture, a tradition. The first year will be harder than you expect. Players will quit. Money will be tight. Something will go wrong with ice.

But when you step on the ice for your first official game wearing your school's colors, playing in front of students who came to watch, you'll know it was worth it.

Start early. Plan thoroughly. Ask for help. And drop the puck.

For more club hockey guidance, see our [ACHA registration guide](/blog/acha-registration-compliance) or [college hockey management](/college-hockey-club-team).