WCHA issues statement in regards to NCAA cost of attendance legislation

By @MichaelCaples –

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association issued a statement today on behalf of their men’s and women’s hockey leagues, saying that they support the new NCAA legislation that allows schools to provide more financial assistance to their student-athletes.

Here is the WCHA’s statement in full:

EDINA, Minn. – July 7, 2015 – Following the group’s annual meetings, the separate Board of Directors for both the men’s and women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) stand in support of the NCAA Autonomy Proposal No. 2014-13-1 and the redefinition of full grant-in-aid to include up to the full cost of attendance for students.
 
As such, the WCHA will support any of its institutions to provide up to the full cost of attendance and it will be of their own individual discretion on the amount it will provide to its own student-athletes moving forward.
 
In a joint statement, Ferris State University President David Eisler (outgoing Chair, Men’s League), St. Cloud State University Faculty Representative Bill Hudson (outgoing Chair, Women’s League), men’s Commissioner Bill Robertson and women’s Commissioner Aaron Kemp said:
 
“The WCHA’s priority will always be to provide the very best collegiate experience for our student-athletes, both on and off the ice. We are dedicated to supporting our student-athletes in all areas, with the ultimate goal of preparing them for graduation and fostering success during and after their time on campus. We support NCAA legislation that redefines an athletics grant-in-aid to include up to the full cost of attendance, while allowing individual discretion to each institution on the amount they choose to provide within those parameters.”
 
About the men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA)
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, proudly marked its 63rd season of men’s competition in 2014-15. Covering five time zones and more than 4,200 miles, the 10-team Division 1 conference consists of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), the University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), the University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University (Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University (Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). For more information, visit wcha.com.
 
About the women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA)
The women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association has won a record 15 national championships in 16 years since its inception in 1999, while producing six Patty Kazmaier Award winners, 76 All-Americans and numerous Olympic and international team members. The eight-team Division 1 conference consists of: Bemidji State University (Beavers), the University of Minnesota (Golden Gophers), the University of Minnesota Duluth (Bulldogs), Minnesota State University (Mavericks), the University of North Dakota, Ohio State University (Buckeyes), St. Cloud State University (Huskies) and the University of Wisconsin (Badgers). For more information, visit www.wcha.com.