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This fall, University of Saint Joseph athletics will take to the ice. With the launch of its men’s and women’s NCAA Division III ice hockey programs, USJ is expanding both its athletic footprint and its presence in one of the region’s most competitive collegiate sports landscapes.
Anticipation is building as USJ prepares to debut its new programs this October at the International Skating Center of Connecticut (ISCC) in Simsbury — a milestone that signals growth and a renewed sense of energy across campus.
The addition of ice hockey brings USJ’s varsity programs to 16, underscoring the University’s continued investment in student opportunity, athletic excellence, and community engagement.
This is an exciting step forward for USJ. We are building on the championship success of our men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, and men’s and women’s basketball teams in recent years. Ice hockey is a natural next step in expanding our athletic offerings and continuing to attract students who are driven to succeed both in the classroom and in competition.
President Rhona C. Free
Following a nationwide search, USJ hired two experienced coaches to build the programs from the ground up: Adam Houli, who will coach the men’s team, and Elizabeth Wulf, who will lead the women’s team. Both bring collegiate playing and coaching experience, along with strong ties to Connecticut.
Wulf, a former Division III women’s ice hockey student-athlete at Middlebury College in Vermont, joins USJ after serving as an assistant coach at Division I University of Connecticut for four and a half years.
Houli, a former Division III men’s ice hockey student-athlete at nearby Trinity College, most recently served as head coach of the Johnstown Tomahawks of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).
Associate Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Amanda Devitt described Houli and Wulf as “student-centered leaders who embody USJ’s values and bring a genuine passion for recruiting and developing gifted student-athletes,” reinforcing the program’s focus on both competitive success and the student experience.
The University has also entered a long-term partnership with the ISCC, a premier New England facility and a longtime training base for Olympians and elite athletes. On April 30, the ISCC unveiled its expanded, world-class facility, while formally launching USJ’s men’s and women’s ice hockey programs there.
Building on this momentum, USJ announced in April that the men’s and women’s hockey programs will begin varsity competition as affiliate members in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) starting in the 2026–27 season. “This is an exciting step forward for USJ Athletics and our student-athletes, opening new opportunities for growth and competition,” said Devitt.
The addition of ice hockey at USJ represents more than a new athletic program. It is a strategic investment in the student experience.
This initiative strengthens our ability to recruit students who are passionate about both academics and athletics. Ice hockey is a natural fit for USJ’s mission and growth, and we’re excited to welcome future Blue Jays to the ice.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Paul Brower
Click below to learn more about the inaugural head coaches of USJ’s ice hockey teams.
