“After extensive discussion and significant due diligence, it made sense to everyone involved to move in this direction. The name conveys the current geographic alignment of our members and the CCHA brand has a tremendous amount of equity and goodwill associated with it. What’s old is new again and we look forward to refreshing the brand and identity to fully capture the energy and passion of the institutions it represents.” – Morris Kurtz, Consultant
Seven prominent NCAA Division I hockey-playing institutions that announced last June they would be leaving the current WCHA to form a new conference, now have a home. The league will be reestablished and branded as the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).
Bowling Green, Ferris State, Northern Michigan and Lake Superior State were members of the old Central Collegiate Hockey Association at the time of its dissolution in 2013. Coming with them from the WCHA to the new CCHA will be Bemidji State, Minnesota State, Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan. Michigan Tech had been a member of the CCHA from 1981-84.
The new league is scheduled to begin play in 2021-22
CCHA Background
The CCHA originally began in the early 1970s, and league particularly took off when it later added Michigan and Michigan State
In 2013, when Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State left for the Big Ten, it set off a chain reaction in college hockey. The NCHC was born as a result, and took Miami and Western Michigan from the CCHA with it, while Notre Dame went to Hockey East. The old WCHA had similar issues. The remaining schools from both conferences banded together under the WCHA umbrella, leaving the CCHA name behind.
Last June, those seven schools, dissatisfied with a variety of issues in the new-look WCHA, decided to leave.
Moving Forward
“It’s been inspiring to lead this group as it is comprised of institutions rich in history and tradition, with a strong commitment to academic and athletic excellence,” Morris Kurtz said. “As noted from inception, they have a real vision for where they are going with the new league, as they focus on improving regional alignment while building natural rivalries and enhancing the student-athlete and fan experience.”
Kurtz has been working to establish the new league’s legal incorporation, its bylaws and the establishment of a financial escrow fund. According to Kurtz, the next steps will include development of league branding and logos and commencement of a search for the conference’s first Commissioner, who they hope to have in place no later than July.
“We have interviewed several consulting firms to assist us with brand development. That process will create some momentum for us as we begin the commissioner search process. I am confident that the Central Collegiate Hockey Association commissionership presents an incredible opportunity. We will find the right person and have them ready to start leading this group by July 1.”