Exploring the Path: How the University of Michigan Can Launch Women’s Division I Hockey

Michigan stands out as a key state for women’s hockey, with more than 5,000 registered female players in USA Hockey. This number puts it right behind Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York for participation.

My daughter, just 6 years old, is among these young athletes. At her rink, a banner honors Megan Keller, who won an Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA in 2018 and currently plays for the Boston Fleet in the PWHL.

The PWHL is even hosting a neutral site game in Detroit on March 16. I noticed that ticket sales are strong, with fewer than a hundred left in the upper bowl.

Yet, despite its passion for the sport, Michigan lacks a single NCAA Division I women’s hockey program. This gap has recently gained attention, especially after University of Michigan regent Denise Ilitch called for a varsity program last March. She highlighted that the university’s offerings are falling short for the people of Michigan.

Ilitch’s comments sparked a feasibility study from Collegiate Sports Associates, exploring the challenges and requirements of launching a Division I women’s hockey program. This study is available through the Freedom of Information Act, or you can download the full PDF directly.

While I’m no expert in women’s hockey, I found some key insights in the feasibility study:

• The study raises a critical question: What kind of athletic department does Michigan want to be? Will decisions prioritize financial considerations or moral imperatives?
• From a moral standpoint, adding a women’s Division I hockey program makes sense. However, financially, the situation is complex and challenging.
• Starting a women’s hockey team could cost around $4.5 million per year, not including an additional $700,000 for scholarships. It’s hard to justify these expenses especially since the men’s team incurs a loss of about $900,000 annually.
• Facility upgrades or new constructions for the program add another financial layer. Three possibilities were outlined:
  • Expanding Yost Arena: Approximately $50 million
  • Building a new arena (single rink): About $300 million
  • New arena with a second rink: Estimated at $330 million
• College sports are at a critical juncture, with scholarship costs expected to jump from around $33 million to $60 million per year.
• There’s also concern that no other Big 10 school is pursuing a similar program. For Michigan to secure an automatic NCAA tournament bid, at least six teams are needed in a conference.

The financial question looms large: How can this work?

The feasibility study outlines three potential strategies:

1. The athletic department could completely fund the program, but this might be difficult due to shifting budgets.
2. The University might subsidize the creation of a women’s Division I hockey team, though this is rare.
4. A significant donation could cover costs, similar to what happened with Penn State and the Pegula family.

The feasibility study emphasizes the importance of securing a major donation to make the program viable.

It also discusses best and worst-case scenarios for launching a women’s Division I hockey team at Michigan:

Best-case scenario:

• A major donor finances a new arena or the expansion of Yost, covering operational costs for at least a decade.
• The team performs well, leading to increased ticket sales and sponsorships.
• The program boosts women’s hockey in Michigan and strengthens the talent pipeline.

Worst-case scenario:

• No major donor emerges, leading UM to cut budgets or subsidize the program, which would strain finances.
• Low ticket sales and sponsorships put the program in financial jeopardy.
• Facility limitations create issues for both the men’s team and community rink access.

Throughout the study, there wasn’t significant resistance to the idea of a women’s Division I hockey program on moral or ethical grounds. This initiative aligns with the values of the University. The real challenge lies in ensuring financial sustainability.

Ultimately, a major benefactor may need to step in, or the Michigan athletics department must balance financial realities with ethical commitments, recognizing that this program is unlikely to be a major revenue generator.