Mercyhurst University announced Friday it will discontinue its Division I Men’s Ice Hockey program at the conclusion of the current academic year.
The decision comes as part of a broader institutional planning effort dubbed "strategic academic program adjustments," designed to align the university's offerings with evolving student demand and workforce needs as Mercyhurst prepares for its Centennial year.
Mercyhurst University today announced a series of academic program adjustments and the discontinuation of its Division I Men’s Ice Hockey program.
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While the Men's Division I team is being cut, the university confirmed several key areas of its athletic department will remain intact. Men's hockey will persist at Mercyhurst via the club level. The university will continue to support its Division I Women’s Ice Hockey program, which recently saw success with sophomore Julia Schalin representing Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
This announcement coincides with the previously scheduled retirement of head coach Rick Gotkin, the longest-tenured coach in college hockey, who led the Lakers for 38 seasons.
University President Kathleen Getz and Athletics Director Joe Spano emphasized that the immediate priority is supporting the players and staff members impacted by the program's dissolution. Mercyhurst will honor all existing athletics scholarships for affected student-athletes who choose to remain at the university. The athletic department wiill provide assistance to those looking to enter the NCAA transfer portal.