Roger Williams University Adds Men's, Women's Ice Hockey, And Women's Golf Programs

BRISTOL, RI — Responding to the growing popularity among collegiate athletic competition, Roger Williams University will add three new varsity athletic programs —men's ice hockey, women's ice hockey, and women's golf.

Men's hockey and women's golf will debut in the 2025-26 season, while women's ice hockey will start in 2026-27. The new sports bring the total number of varsity programs at Roger Williams to 25.

"Involvement in athletics is an enriching experience that complements a student’s education, setting them up to soar to success both in college and beyond," university President Ioannis Miaoulis said. "Adding these three varsity sports will provide more opportunities for our student-athletes and attract new students from across the United States and internationally."

Last year, RWU’s men’s golf team won the Commonwealth Coast Conference title and earned their first bid in school history to the NCAA Championship. The men’s ice hockey club team has been a competitive program, and most recently qualified for the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Nationals in 2020. The program will continue to operate alongside the new varsity ice hockey program.

"We are excited to be able to expand our offerings for our students and provide more opportunities for our campus community to cheer on the Hawks," interim Athletic Director Mike Gallagher said.

Roger Williams will be the ninth institution to sponsor men's ice hockey in the competitive Conference of New England (CNE) during the 2025-26 year, while the women's program will be the eighth institutional sponsor within the conference when they begin competition in the 2026-27 year.

With women’s golf added to Roger Williams University’s offerings in 2025-26, the Hawks will be the sixth CNE school to offer the sport, enough programs to secure an automatic NCAA post-season bid for the conference champion.

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