The CCHA has denied Alabama-Huntsville’s application for admission, putting the program’s future in even more jeopardy.
The Chargers are members of the CHA, which is set to disband after the 2009-10 season. The three other members have found other conferences, and UAH targeted the CCHA.
But the CCHA Council, a body made up of athletic administrators and faculty athletic representatives, on Tuesday voted by acclamation to deny UAH’s application for membership.
“The league completed its due diligence of the application for membership submitted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville with careful consideration and discussion of various issues,” CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos said in a news release. “At this time we have chosen to maintain our membership at its current level.
“The CCHA will remain focused on maintaining and strengthening our existing members to ensure the conference’s continued success and long-term viability.”
The CCHA is set to drop to 11 teams in 2010, when Nebraska-Omaha is moving to the WCHA along with CHA member Bemidji State.
Robert Morris and Niagara are moving to Atlantic Hockey.
Alabama-Huntsville expressed disappointment in the decision in a news release, and it did not say what its next course of action will be.
“We are certainly disappointed in the decision and feel like our program has a lot to offer to any league,” athletic director Jim Harris said. “We are going to have a cooling-off period and then look at other options that are available to us and then move forward.”
Chargers coach Danton Cole said: “I do not know what the future holds for the program, but we will be looking at our options and move forward in the best interest of the university.”
