Breaking: Stonehill elevating to Division I

Stonehill College, a small private Catholic college in Easton, Mass., has become the newest member of Division I men's hockey. Stonehill is elevating its entire athletic department to Division I and will join the Northeast Conference. The hockey program, which is currently D-II and plays in the Northeast-10, will become a Division I independent once the athletic department becomes a member of Division I.

According to sources, the program will consider building a new on-campus facility if it can find a conference affiliation. One source said an alum has already promised a sizeable donation for an on-campus rink if a league can be found.

We broke the news to our subscribers in issue #155 that Stonehill elevating its program to Division I was a likely possibility after Bryant left the NEC earlier this week to join America East.

Lindenwood and Stonehill will become the 60th and 61st Division I programs next season. Augustana and the presumed return of Robert Morris in 2023 will make 63 Division I men’s programs.

The Stonehill program is currently led by David Borges, who has been there for eight seasons.