The University of Michigan has taken a significant step towards addressing the absence of a Division I women’s hockey program in the state by launching a feasibility study to consider establishing a varsity program. The study, supported by school President Santa Ono, was proposed at a Michigan regents’ meeting by Denise Ilitch, a member of the board and daughter of Detroit Red Wings owner Marian Ilitch.

The initiative to launch a varsity program, despite the potential costs and the need for a second rink facility, stems from the increasing demand for the state’s top institutions to provide opportunities for young women to pursue the sport at a higher level without having to leave Michigan.

Denise Ilitch emphasized the importance of addressing the talent drain from Michigan, stating, ‘Other colleges are creating women’s hockey teams and we’re losing great talent in Michigan. We’re a Big Ten school. There’s no reason why our women can’t be on the ice. We need to step up as an institution now and be a leader here for the state of Michigan.’

She further highlighted the strong desire and need for a women’s varsity hockey program in the state, asserting, ‘There’s a desire. There’s an appetite here for it. And we need to meet the need.’

Michigan has had a club-level women’s hockey team since the mid-1990s. The move to explore the establishment of a varsity program reflects the growing recognition of the importance of providing opportunities for women in sports, particularly in underrepresented areas such as women’s hockey.