COLLEGE HOCKEY SOUTH RE-JOINS THE AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
CHS to field teams in three ACHA divisions in 2025-2026
TROY, MI (July 10, 2025) – The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), the governing body for non‐NCAA men’s and women’s hockey in the United States, today announced College Hockey South (CHS), formerly known as the South Eastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SECHC), has re-joined the ACHA as of the 2025-2026 season. College Hockey South, the largest collegiate hockey conference in the Southeast, re-joins the ACHA as a full member and will field ACHA teams in Men’s Division II, Men’s Division III, and Women’s Division II.
“We are very excited to welcome College Hockey South back into the ACHA,” said ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett. “CHS Commissioner Kyle Knell has provided a practical nature and thoughtful approach throughout this transition which provides undeniable benefits to both CHS and the ACHA. CHS’ return to the ACHA provides significant growth for three of our divisions in a region of the country that currently separates our existing membership.”
College Hockey South will field at least seven teams in ACHA Men’s Division II in 2025-2026. Florida Atlantic University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Florida, and University of Tampa have applied and been accepted into the ACHA as full members. They will join existing ACHA Men’s Division II member University of South Carolina and two other teams which were accepted into ACHA earlier in the year for the upcoming season: University of Alabama and University of Tennessee.
Eleven CHS teams will compete in ACHA Men’s Division III in the 2025-2026 season. 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, and University of Tampa have applied and been accepted into the ACHA as full members for the upcoming season.
Barnett continued, “CHS re-joining the ACHA directly supports our mission and solidifies the ACHA as the clear, stable path for college hockey — something we’ve worked very hard to build over the years — along with supporting the mission of our long-standing partnership with USA Hockey .”
“This is an exciting step forward for College Hockey South,” said CHS Commissioner Kyle Knell. “Rejoining the ACHA allows us to provide our student-athletes with enhanced opportunities for competition and development, while also helping grow the game across the Southeast. We look forward to contributing to the ACHA’s continued success and working together to strengthen college hockey at all levels.”
An announcement regarding CHS teams playing in Women’s Division II during the 2025-2026 season is expected in the coming weeks.
For additional information, please contact ACHA Executive Director Craig Barnett at cbarnett@achahockey.org or CHS Commissioner Kyle Knell at kknell@collegehockeysouth.com.
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About American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) was founded in 1991 and is the national association for Non-NCAA Collegiate Hockey throughout the United States. Our organization of more than 460 colleges and university-affiliated teams representing 48 states provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the sport of Hockey nationwide. With approximately 13,000 players and coaches as well as countless volunteers and game officials, the ACHA has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade and continues to be a viable option for college bound student-athletes to continue playing competitive hockey nationwide. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, the ACHA’s primary mission is to support the growth of Collegiate Hockey while emphasizing academic performance, personal development, and opportunities for regional, national, and international competition. The ACHA identifies standards which serve to unite and regulate teams at the collegiate level and will enter its 35th season in September 2025. For more information, visit achahockey.org.
