ACHA Team Spotlight - Central Michigan University
ACHA Team Spotlight – Central Michigan University
Name of School: Central Michigan University
Location: Mt. Pleasant, MI
Enrollment: 20,000
ACHA Level: Division 2
Conference/League Affiliation: Independent
Head Coach: Sean Boyle
Last Year's Record: 7-17
Players Lost/Returning: 7 lost/15 returning
Roster Size: 28-30 players
Region Where Most Players Come From: Mostly Michigan
Cost to Player to Play: Between $2,500 and $3,000
Equipment or Gear Provided:
None, but players get maroon helmet and gloves in part of their ice fees
Number of Games on Schedule: 25-30
Big-name or Ranked Programs on Schedule:
University of Michigan, Michigan State, Xavier, Illinois State
First Practice Date: August 26
First Game Date: Sept 10
Regular-season End Date: Feb 12
Practices Per Week & General Times of Practices?
2 practices per week at 10:30 p.m.
Games Per Week & General Times of Games?
2 games per week on Friday/Saturday evenings
Off-ice Training in & out of Season:
Yes, small off ice groups, with good hockey off ice summer program
Film Sessions Per Week if Any: 1
Team Locker Room for Equipment Storage?:
No team locker room, but we have a storage locker to keep and air out gear at the rink. Also the rinks locker rooms have bathrooms and showers.
Number of Home vs. Road Games: 10 Away games: 16
Number of Overnight Trips Per Season:
Varies per year; this season we have 6
Travel Accommodation: Charter Bus/personal drive
What is the School Known for Academically?:
Leadership program, Teaching program, Sport Management/Business programs, Health Professions, Psychology
Typical Test Scores/GPA Needed:
SAT average range 1000-1200
ACT Average range 20-27
Average HS GPA 3.32; typical high school grades B+ or higher
Campus Location: Rural
Team Philosophy:
Our team is looking to continue its growth. We had a rough few years, but last year started working to improve professionalism on and off ice and will continue to work to make CMU D2 a top destination for players wanting to continue playing hockey as student-athletes while in college.
Our first commitment is to school and grades, but for hockey we ask for 100% commitment in practices, games and community-services projects. The strength of schedule is much improved over last season, and over the next 1-2 seasons we are looking to play a top-level strength of schedule.
Team goals performance-wise on a yearly basis:
To get better each year and qualify for regionals.
Support on campus by students and fans?
The team has started to generate more support from students, the community and club sports at CMU.
Practice and off-ice facilities, locations and transportation provided or required:
The ice arena is 5-10 minutes off campus. The rink has one sheet of ice and is a nice facility.
The off-ice facilities include a room outside and upstairs at the rink to work out. Also, there is the student activity center on campus, a huge facility with 2 gyms that have free weights and machines, a pool, hot tub, sauna, basketball courts and indoor track.
What characteristics do you look for in a player?
As a coach, I look for players that are coming to play at CMU not because it is a last stop before men’s league, but it is a chance to extend their competitive hockey careers while getting a good education. I am someone who expects players to work just as hard in the last minute of a 5-goal game as they do in a 1-goal game, always looking to improve and learn from things to better themselves as players and as people.
What is important to know about the program's history and what might lie ahead?
It is a competitive hockey program that inspires student athletes to get involved and lead.