The Dream: FAU Owls NCAA Hockey
Only ~60 schools play NCAA D-I men's hockey, none in Florida. FAU has the location, the facility partner, and now an ACHA national championship. The opportunity is real — it just needs a plan and a push.
The Roadmap
Phase 1 — Foundation (Years 1-2)
Underway- Win at the ACHA D-II / CHS level (2024-25 AAU D2 National Champs ✅)
- Build a stable advisory board & faculty advisor (✅ in place)
- Establish reliable home venue (Panthers IceDen ✅)
- Grow alumni & booster network to $100K+/year
Phase 2 — Petition the University (Years 2-4)
Now- Demonstrate sustained on-ice excellence (2+ national tournament appearances)
- Submit business plan to FAU Athletics: $4-6M startup, $2-3M annual operating
- Secure 10-year naming-rights or facility partner ($15-25M target)
- Show Title IX compliance plan — adding men's hockey usually requires adding a women's program too
- Get FAU President & Board of Trustees endorsement
Phase 3 — NCAA Membership (Years 4-7)
Future- Apply for NCAA Division I membership (3-year reclassification process)
- Join a conference — Atlantic Hockey, CCHA, or Hockey East would be likely fits
- Hire full-time NCAA staff: head coach, 3 assistants, ops, sports info
- Build or upgrade rink to NCAA spec (200x85 ice, 3,500+ seats, locker rooms)
- Fund 18 full scholarships (current NCAA D-I men's hockey limit)
Phase 4 — Compete (Year 7+)
Future- First NCAA season — schedule independents while in reclassification
- Full conference play & NCAA tournament eligibility
- Florida State, Miami, and UCF could form a Sun Belt hockey movement together
How YOU Can Help
Students
Pack every home game. Demand from FAU Athletics shows the school there's a market.
Alumni
Donate, mentor players, and tell FAU Foundation you want hockey funded at the varsity level.
Local Businesses
Become a sponsor — visible commercial support strengthens the case to administration.
Parents
Write President Hasner and Athletics Director directly. Letters from paying families move the needle.
Players
Win. Graduate. Be model student-athletes. The case is built on results.
Join the NCAA push
Email Scott Grosky — every voice counts.