BEVERLY, Mass.-  Endicott announced on Friday that beginning in the Fall of 2015, the College and athletic department will be promoting both the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams to NCAA Division III varsity status.  A search has just begun to hire a full-time coach for each program.  To help usher the programs into their inaugural varsity seasons, Endicott will break ground on a first-class ice arena in June of 2014.

The rink, which will be a state-of-the-art facility with all of the amenities, is slated to open in the fall of 2015.  The arena will seat roughly 1,000 spectators and will provide countless opportunities for intramurals, student activities and formal speaking events.  With the rink, there will be a tremendous opportunity to serve Beverly High School hockey, Beverly youth programs and multiple other programs throughout the North Shore community.

With both teams officially becoming varsity programs, Endicott will now boast 20 varsity sports.  Hockey will be a winter sport, joining both men’s and women’s basketball teams as winter varsity teams.  Athletic Director Dr. Brian Wylie stated, “As we continue to grow as an institution, the addition of elevating both men and women to Division III status is something that we’ve been working diligently on over the last several years. These additions not only complement our other sport offerings, but give Endicott an opportunity to be among one of the top Division III institutions in the country, both academically and in athletics. I see the impetus for this project as one that will catapult Endicott to the next level.“