present Illinois Fighting Illini logo
The Illinois Fighting Illini was a men's varsity ice hockey team which played college hockey from 1937 to 1943. The team was based out of the University of Illinois Ice Arena on campus. The program was discontinued at the varsity level in 1943.
The school presently sponsors men's and women's club level ice hockey which also play out of the same ice rink as the original varsity team. The men's ice hockey team competes at the ACHA Division I level as a member of the Central States Collegiate Hockey League and the women's team competes in the Red Division of the Women's Central Hockey League. The Illinois Fighting Illini men's ACHA Division II team plays as an independent team in the Central Region.
Possible Return to Varsity Status[]
Interest in the return to NCAA Division I status is being gauged as the National Hockey League is sponsoring a feasibility study to bring more schools into Division I hockey. The University was the most prominently mentioned as the United Center in Chicago was hosting the 2017 Frozen Four. The school is already a member of the Big Ten Conference in other sports and the state of Illinois produces the fifth most Division I men's hockey players in the nation. The state presently has more than 22,000 players in youth hockey programs in the state. Main concerns for the elevation to Division I varsity status include finances (an investment of over $100 million is believed to be needed to get the program going between a large enough rink and other investments), Title IX concerns and community support for a program.
New Arena?[]
On July 18, 2017 it was announced the University proposed a $50 million sports facility in the downtown section of Champaign that would be home to include a three sheet ice arena that would be home to a varsity program and youth hockey programs.[1] Futher reports indicate that an announcement could be made by the end of 2018 indicating that the men's D-I program could be a reality. However, it would take 2 to 3 years to get the program going.[2]