Interim President of the University of Alabama-Huntsville Malcolm Portera announced Monday morning his decision to drop the school's varsity hockey program to club status at the end of the current season.

Hockey is UAH's only Division I program and reached the NCAA Tournament twice since moving to Division I in 1998-99. It won two Division II NCAA championships prior to that move under head coach Doug Ross.

"The news out of Huntsville, Alabama, this morning is disappointing for the sport," said Paul Kelly, Executive Director of College Hockey, Inc. "The community supported the Chargers for years and made their desire for a Division I program abundantly clear. We feel for those fans and especially the players, coaches and staff in the Charger program.

"Alabama-Huntsville was a leader in the rapid growth of hockey in the Southeast. That growth will continue, and it’s a shame that the UAH program will not be there to enjoy it. Similarly, this decision will not slow the growth of the college game. While Division I will lose a program next season it will gain another in Penn State, with the prospect of more additions to come. The college hockey landscape is better with Alabama-Huntsville a part of it, but we will move forward with a core of strong, committed programs and a sport that is second to none."

The decision came despite a show of support from Alabama-Huntsville's student government and tremendous efforts from the program's alumni and community supporters.

Portera noted that UAH will honor all current student-athletes' scholarship commitments, "and if a student-athlete chooses to transfer to another program, we will provide help in making that relocation as seamless as possible."