Alaska Schools Cleared to Play in 2020-21

Uncertainties Still Remain for the Programs

CHN Staff Report

The University of Alaska's Board of Regents has announced that intercollegiate athletics will continue as is at its two schools — Fairbanks and Anchorage — for the 2020-21 season.

Alaska's coaches had recently indicated to College Hockey News that their programs seemed safe, after an offseason of turmoil, but this news confirms it.

“This is great news for the hockey programs at both UAA and UAF and for the WCHA," WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson said. "We are pleased that the Men’s League of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will remain at 10 teams in 2020-21.”

In the spring, the Alaska university system was facing a severe budget cut. There appeared to be no way out of drastic cuts to the athletic programs, that jeopardized the future existence of the hockey teams. With the teams still in limbo, they made preparations for this season, finally getting the green light mid-summer. Then, gradually over the course of the summer, there were some changes in the political landscape that pulled back a lot of those cuts.

Of course, these programs are not out of the woods. The entire WCHA is in jeopardy thanks to the seven member schools that have already announced they'd be leaving to form their own conference in 2021-22. Part of the reason for that decision has been the uncertainty about the Alaska schools. Alabama-Huntsville is also being left ouf of the move.

That will present a new set of challenges for UAA and UAF, figuring out where to go or what to do. Playing as an indepedent will not be easy, but there's no other logical home.

And speaking of homes, both schools still face issues with their arenas. In a cost-cutting decision, UAA moved its home games to a tiny on-campus rink, and away from the city-owned downtown Sullivan Arena. UAF has contemplated a similar move, but is still in the downtown Carlson Center for now.