LIVONIA (WWJ) - Schoolcraft College announced it is organizing the school's first ever men's ice hockey team, which will kick off its inaugural season in the fall of 2024-2025.
Schoolcraft College Athletic Director Patrick Yelsik said the latest move is another step forward in the institution's plan to add athletic opportunities for the student body.
"This is yet another example of the College's commitment to athletics and using it as a vehicle to contribute to our enrollment goals as well as increasing the opportunities that our students are afforded beyond the classroom," Yelsik said. "It's the epitome of a win-win."
The Ocelots will compete in Division II of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the largest division in the ACHA that includes approximately 200 teams in 12 conferences and Independents.
Schoolcraft will be one of a limited number of two-year colleges that participates in the ACHA.
Home ice for the Ocelets will be the Mike Modano Ice Arena in Westland.
The program will play as part of the Schoolcraft College Athletic Department with a team compromised of all full-time students and follow
the academic/eligibility guidelines of the college athletic department and their governing body of the college athletic department and their governing body.
Dan Phelps, a Livonia native, will serve as the team's Head Coach, bringing with him 24 years of coaching experience, including 10 years at the high school level, six in Tier I youth hockey, two at the junior hockey ranks and six seasons in collegiate hockey, where he was the ACHA DI Head Coach, and ACHA Hockey Director at Adrian College.
"I'm extremely grateful and honored to be given this opportunity to lead the program for Schoolcraft College. I'm looking forward to the journey ahead and building a sustainable program that Schoolcraft College is proud to have in their athletic family," Phelps said. "I'd like to thank college president, Dr. Glenn Cerny and Athletic Director Patrick Yelsik, for their diligence in the work already put in, and their support to field a first-class program. I look forward to working with them as the program takes fruition."
School officials said the newly-formed program will receive the opportunity to the amenities available to all the College's sports teams. The goal is to play a hybrid schedule, competing with programs across all three ACHA divisions, which are predominantly all four-year
institutions. As a member of the ACHA, the program will be a non-scholarship sport.
"Adding men's hockey as a top-level sport is a no-brainer for Schoolcraft College," Cerny said. "Being located in such a hockey-rich community such as Livonia, I can't wait to cheer on the Ocelots when they take to the ice next year."
The roster for the inaugural team is currently being constructed. For those interested in becoming a part of the program, the school has asked that you submit a recruiting questionnaire or reach out to the coaching staff through the college athletics website at schoolcraftocelots.com
