Denise Ilitch was determined to make a change. She believed in the potential of women’s hockey at the University of Michigan and was tired of hearing excuses about why it couldn’t happen.
For years, Ilitch had been advocating for the addition of a varsity women’s hockey program to the prestigious university, known for its powerhouse men’s hockey team. Despite the success of the men’s program, with nine national championships, the women at Michigan had never had the opportunity to compete at the Division I level.
But Ilitch refused to accept the status quo. She wanted concrete reasons for the denial of a women’s program, rather than vague statements about affordability. “I had not heard a good enough reason on why we couldn’t have women’s hockey DI at Michigan,” Ilitch expressed to The Athletic.
During a pivotal regents meeting in March, Ilitch publicly presented her case: It was time for the University of Michigan to embrace varsity women’s hockey.
The women’s club team at Michigan was about to enter its 30th year when the announcement was made. Excitement for women’s hockey in the state was amplified by a recent Professional Women’s Hockey League game at Little Caesars Arena, which drew record attendance.
Ilitch emphasized the importance of serving the people of Michigan and meeting the demand for women’s hockey at the university. She stressed that women deserved the same opportunities as men on the ice, making it a matter of inclusion and leadership. “Hockey is for everyone, and we are ‘HockeyTown‘,” Ilitch declared.
President Santa Ono committed to exploring the feasibility of adding a women’s varsity team, partnering with athletic director Warde Manuel to conduct a comprehensive study.
The feasibility study, initiated in May, marks a significant milestone in the journey towards establishing elite women’s hockey at the University of Michigan. It’s a rare opportunity to revisit the idea of adding the sport on campus.
This promising development aligns with the current momentum in women’s hockey, as the sport garners increased attention and support, including the recent formation of a new professional league.
While challenges persist from past attempts to introduce women’s hockey as a varsity program at Michigan, there appears to be renewed hope and determination to make it a reality this time around.
