READING, Pa. (Men's Ice Hockey) - Alvernia University Director of Athletics Bill Stiles announced Monday the addition of men's ice hockey to bring the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) sponsorship to six teams.

Alvernia will add men's ice hockey beginning in 2022-23. The Golden Wolves also announced it will add two non-MAC sponsored sports including esports (2021-22) and women's wrestling (2022-23).

"As always, we are looking to meet the needs of our students and community while also providing additional opportunities to prospective student-athletes," said Stiles. "Like many of our sports, particularly the ones we've added in the past 5-6 years, these offerings will allow us to recruit and retain new students while expanding our geographic recruiting footprint."

The men's ice hockey program will compete in NCAA Division III and will join the Golden Wolve women's program in joint conference membership in the MAC and the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC). Alvernia will join Arcadia (2021-22), King's, Lebanon Valley, Stevenson and Wilkes as MAC schools competing in men's ice hockey. 

"Building upon the successes and momentum of our men's wrestling and women's ice hockey programs, which started last year, the next logical step was to provide additional opportunities for women and men, respectively," said Stiles.  "And, the recent addition of women's wrestling to the list of NCAA Emerging Sports for Women allows Alvernia to be at the forefront of a sport that is growing exponentially for girls in high schools and clubs." 

Men's Ice Hockey will use the Body Zone as its home rink with plans in the works to build an additional locker room dedicated to the team.  Alvernia will continue to enhance its relationship with The Reading Royals and Santander Arena--which could be a potential host for some home games as well. 

The search for head coaches for all three sports will take place this fall.