On the heels of Alaska and Lake Superior State accepting invitations to join the WCHA in 2013-2014, Ferris State has also accepted an invitation to join the league.
“Hockey is a very important sport to Ferris State University and to our fans,” Ferris State president David Eisler said in a statement. “In joining the WCHA, Ferris remains firmly committed to a program of the highest standards of national competition with continued great success by our student-athletes and coaches. The unanimous support of the presidents in the WCHA in extending this invitation is sincerely appreciated. We look forward to working with them and our CCHA colleagues to make this a conference that builds on the great traditions of our programs and institutions.”
As a condition of this potential membership process moving forward, the WCHA member presidents established a 30-day response timeline for acceptance.
“This is an outstanding day for Ferris State Bulldog hockey and college hockey in general,” added Ferris AD Perk Weisenburger. “The uncertainty of the past five months has caused some genuine angst and instability on hockey playing campuses across the country. Through the vision, leadership and cooperative spirit of the institutions in these two tradition-rich conferences there is a renewed sense of stability, excitement and a new direction for hockey programs in both the CCHA and WCHA.”
With Western Michigan still exploring its options for the future, Bowling Green issued a statement to USCHO Friday.
A Bowling Green spokesperson said that the school has not made a decision on the WCHA’s invitation and is expecting answers to “a handful of questions” during teleconferences next week. The spokesperson did not put a time frame on the school’s decision, other than saying it would probably not take the full 30 days that the WCHA allowed.
Video: Ferris State accepts WCHA invitation:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TenPcODVX3g&hd=1
