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University Of Maryland
Men’s Club Ice Hockey
Division II
Prospective Players’ Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction
Pg. 3
Eligibility
Season
Practices
Workouts
Games
League
Region
Rinks
Pg. 4
Locker Room
Equipment Storage
Pg. 5
Dues
Uniforms
Under Armor
Travel/Lodging
Pg. 6
Academics
School
Grades
Mentoring
Excused absences
Commitment
Pg. 7
Drugs/Alcohol/Hazing
Tryouts
Freshman Connection Students
Club Management
Pg. 8
D3 Team
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Introduction:
The University of Maryland Men’s Club Ice Hockey Division II Team is a member of
the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and plays in the Mid-Atlantic
Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA). The ACHA is divided into four regions: Northeast,
Southeast, Central, and West. We compete in the Southeast Region and are consistently
ranked among the Top 10 teams. We have a rigorous schedule including workouts,
practices, and games. Participating on this team is time consuming and requires
commitment and dedication. This document provides of overview of all team policies and
expectations.
Eligibility:
All students, undergraduate and graduate, and faculty/staff are eligible to
participate in any sports club. A student must maintain a 2.0 GPA to meet University
requirements. Students must be enrolled with at least 12 credits, unless they are in their
final semester, in which case they may have 9 credits. Specific restrictions for the ACHA
Division II include less than 10 semesters of ACHA competition. Students who have been
on an NCAA or Canadian University roster at any level at any time for more than one year
(two semesters) are restricted to eight semesters of ACHA play minus their time at the
NCAA or Canadian University level. Students must also be able to regularly attend
practices and commit to weekend games, both home and away.
Season:
Our season begins in September and ends in March. We play approximately 20
regular season games. MACHA League Playoffs begin in February and we play at least two
games. Regional playoffs are either the last week of February or the first week of March.
Regionals are single elimination, so we are only guaranteed one game. If we win two games
in a row at regionals we qualify for Nationals. Nationals are the second or third week of
March and last for the entire week. We also compete in the Crab Pot, a tournament hosted
by the United States Naval Academy each year featuring local college teams. We play two
games in this tournament. Typically, we have winter break off. However, there is always a
possibility of tournament or showcase play during the break, which would account for a
few additional games. Overall, we expect to play in the vicinity of 25-30 games each
season. Notable rivals include UMBC, Navy, Towson, Virginia Tech, Liberty, and
Georgetown.
Practices:
Practices are MANDATORY. During September we have three practices per week.
In October, we cut back to two practices a week. Practices are held between 4:30PM-8PM,
depending on the day of the week. They are on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
Practices are one hour long. Excusable absences (see Excused Absences, pg. 6) are
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permitted with prior notice. Players arrange a carpool system to provide transportation to
practice.
Workouts:
We have off-ice conditioning once per week. They are usually on Monday or
Tuesday afternoons. Off-ice workouts are treated like practice: an excused absence is
necessary if you are going to be absent. In addition, it is expected that everyone has some
type of gym routine (strength training and conditioning) that they do on their own time.
Games:
Games are played on the weekends. Typically, home games are at 8PM on Friday or
Saturday nights. We will sometimes play on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. We play three
20-minute periods with new ice made in between each period. If necessary, there is a 5minute, 4v4 overtime period, followed by a shootout.
League:
The MACHA is divided into two conferences, North and South. We play in the South.
The other teams representing the MACHA South are University of Maryland-Baltimore
County, University of Delaware, Virginia Tech, Liberty University, and East Carolina
University. The MACHA North includes Monmouth University, Penn State, Rider University,
Rowan University, Saint Joseph’s University, and Temple University. We play each team in
our conference twice. Typically, one game will be at home and the other will be on the
road. However, for farther games we alternate each year. For example, one year we will
have a weekend trip to ECU and play them two nights in a row. The following year they
will travel to us. The MACHA playoffs are one weekend in mid-February. The four best
teams from the North and South play for their respective conference championship. The
winners from the North and South then play in an all MACHA Championship Game.
Region:
The MACHA is in the Southeast region. Throughout the season there are multiple
ranking periods where the Top 15 schools are listed. The Top 10 schools qualify for
Regional Playoffs. The MACHA is a very strong conference and normally has at least five
teams qualify for regionals. The region extends from New Jersey out to Ohio, down to
Kentucky, and over to Florida. There are 35 schools that compete in the Southeast. Since
we are usually ranked in the top 10, we attempt to schedule games with other top 10
schools that are not in the MACHA.
Rinks:
We have two home rinks: The Garden’s Ice House in Laurel and Herbert H. Wells Ice
Arena in College Park. The Garden’s Ice House is a fifteen-minute drive from campus. We
play in Laurel until November. From November through March we play at Wells, which is
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one block from the College Park Metro Station, and is accessible by the University of
Maryland Shuttle Buses. Wells is partially outdoors, so we cannot switch to this rink until it
starts to get cold outside.
Locker Room:
Our team has a locker room at Wells. Players’ equipment can be stored here starting
mid-October. Equipment must be removed usually mid-April.
Equipment Storage:
Players are responsible for their own equipment storage from the start of the
season until the Wells locker room is accessible in mid-October. In most cases, this means
in your dorm, apartment, or house.
Club Dues:
Club dues cover an array of expenses. These include ice time, league fees, referees,
travels, hotels, uniforms, Under Armor gear, and social events such as team dinners and
banquets. Our club is funded by the Student Government Association (SGA) and by Campus
Recreation Services (CRS). University funding is allocated annually, but does not cover all
expenses. Thus, club dues collected from individual players may vary each year. The goal
of our club officers is to keep individual dues to a minimum. On average, dues range from
$800-$1400 for the entire season. Normally, payments are requested twice during the
season, with a larger sum due first semester. This amount is usually between $600-$800.
Second semester dues are collected if necessary. The amount of these dues is variable and
is determined by our success at regionals, amount of team gear required, and other factors.
We understand that people come from various economic backgrounds. Individual payment
plans can be arranged to accommodate different financial needs. Dues do not cover
helmets, gloves, sticks, skates, or any other personal equipment. Players must purchase
this equipment on their own.
Uniforms:
Players will receive home and away jerseys, socks, shells, and a practice jersey. The
team also votes each year on an alternate game jersey. All jerseys and clothing are the
responsibility of the players to maintain.
Under Armor:
Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armor, was a graduate of the University of Maryland.
Under Armor sponsors all of Maryland Athletics, so we receive heavily discounted Under
Armor gear. Each year the team selects what gear it wants. This can include shirts, shorts,
sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, backpacks, travel bags, shoes, etc. Essentially, if Under
Armor makes it we can order it. All gear is embroidered. The costs are covered by
individual dues.
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Travel/Lodging
The distance to our opponent is the key factor in our travel plans. For schools
within two hours, the team officers coordinate a carpool system. For schools further than
two hours, we travel by coach bus, usually the same University of Maryland buses used by
the football and basketball teams. In the event we play a school more than eight hours
away, we would travel by airplane. Only players on the club team are allowed to travel
with the club. If friends and family want to attend they are responsible for their own
transportation and accommodations.
We try to minimize the number of overnight trips each season. When we do stay
overnight the team stays in a hotel. Players are able to make their own lodging
accommodations with friends or parents if applicable, as long as prior notice is given.
Academics:
Education is always the first priority. While it is expected that players attend all
practices, workouts, and games, it is understood that academic conflicts will exist.
Coordinate with the coaching staff is required when these conflicts occur.
Grades:
ACHA required cumulative GPA is 2.0. Any player who fails to meet this GPA
requirement will not be allowed to skate. No exceptions. As previously mentioned,
education is first priority. Your grades are what will be important once you graduate, not
how many points you had. Our current team GPA is 3.1.
Mentoring:
Starting in Fall 2012, the club officers created a mentoring program for new players.
Rookies are paired with an upperclassman in the same major to help guide them with
course selection and study habits. Upperclassmen also serve as tutors for any player
interested in receiving extra help in a course.
Excused Absences:
Students are expected to attend all team events. However, there are situations
where absences are acceptable. These include major academic events, illness, injury, and
other personal situations. Major academic events are exams, papers, and projects. These
are excusable absences when they occur at the same time as a scheduled team event or
within a relevant time frame. Illnesses are judged personally. If you are too sick to play,
don’t play. Injuries are judged personally and professionally. For more serious injuries
including concussions, professional clearance is required before you can skate again. Other
personal situations are defined broadly, and include emergencies and last minute conflicts.
Students are expected to make their best effort to coordinate other commitments around
the hockey schedule.
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Commitment:
Playing on this team is a tremendous time commitment. Our demanding schedule
will add stress to your academic life and reduce time available for your social life. We are
the top competitive ice hockey team at the University of Maryland. We set lofty goals each
year and play to win. Ice time is earned, not given. We carry a 25-man roster, so we have 4
scratches each game. Students interested in playing should be fully dedicated and
committed to the team.
Drugs/Alcohol/Hazing:
Our club and the University have strict drugs, alcohol, and hazing guidelines. As
University policy defines, there are no drugs or alcohol allowed at ANY team events. This
includes all games, road trips, and hotels. The University also protects individuals from any
form of hazing, sexual harassment, or discrimination. Any club found violating these
policies faces immediate suspension from competition, along with other disciplinary
actions. Team policy is also very strict. Players cannot consume alcohol within 24 hours of
any game. Any player found breaking this 24-hour rule, or playing under the influence of
any drugs or alcohol, faces possible suspension and/or removal from the club. Any
individual(s) who commits a hazing act face suspension or termination from the club.
Tryouts:
Tryouts are held the first week of September. Tryouts are Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday night of that week. There is a $100 tryout fee. The team is selected on Thursday
following the last tryout. The D3 team has tryouts the following week (students who pay
the D2 tryout fee do not need to pay again for the D3 tryout). Students are encouraged to
attend the D2 tryouts. There are typically around 50 students each year at the D2 tryout.
The D2 team rosters 26 players: 3 goalies, 15 forwards, and 8 defensemen. The coaching
staff and club officers hold the right to offer an invite-only tryout at the beginning of spring
semester. Students may be eligible for this tryout for a number of reasons: spring-transfer
students, Freshman Connection students, students who were injured and unable to tryout
in the fall, etc. This tryout is not a guarantee and is highly dependent on the team’s roster
situation at the conclusion of the fall semester (i.e. fall graduations, injuries, academic
ineligibility, etc.).
Freshman Connection:
Students in the Freshman Connection program should attempt to schedule their
night classes around the practice schedule. We understand that this may not be possible,
and unfortunately students who cannot re-schedule their classes will not be able to play in
the fall semester.
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Club Management
The University of Maryland club hockey team is player run. Four officers are
selected at the beginning of each calendar year and serve a full year term. These positions
are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers are responsible for
complete operation of the club. The University of Maryland club is not independently
managed or managed by the coaching staff. It is managed by the player selected officers.
Responsibilities include financial management (dues collection, bill payments), acquisition
of ice time, game scheduling, referee scheduling, jersey & apparel ordering, league & ACHA
interface, interaction with the university, travel planning and coach selection.
D3 Team:
The University of Maryland also has an ACHA Division III Club Team. The Division
III team is a member of the Blue Ridge Hockey Conference (BRHC) and competes in the
Atlantic Division. Other teams in the BRHC include Catholic University, George Mason
University, James Madison University, Wake Forest University, Loyola University,
University of Richmond, and Salisbury University. This team is also highly competitive.
Players from the D3 team are invited to participate with the D2 team based on performance
and roster openings.
For any additional information, please contact any of the Club Officers or Coaches. Contact
information can be found on the team website: http://www.umterpshockey.com
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