Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Tennessee has a hockey team?!?!?!?
A:YES! The Tennessee Hockey Club was founded in 1966, making it the oldest and most established hockey team in the southern United States.  It is also the oldest continuously running sports club at the University of Tennessee.

Q: Is hockey a varsity sport at Tennessee?
A: No, the Ice Vols are a non-varsity sport; sanctioned through the RecSports office, made up of players who are members of the Tennessee Hockey Club.  The Tennessee Ice Vols are not affiliated with the UT Athletic Department and receive NO money from the UTAD.

Q: How do I become a member of the UT Hockey Club?
A: Membership is open to all full-time UT students who have paid the proper activities fees as well as UT faculty and staff. However, only full-time students are allowed to be rostered players per ACHA rules.

Q: What is the ACHA?
A: The ACHA is our national governing body, similar to the NCAA.  The ACHA is comprised of over 300 colleges and universities in three divisions and is recognized by USA Hockey and the American Hockey Coaches Association. All ACHA and USA Hockey rules govern play.

Q: Are the Ice Vols different from an intramural team?
A: Yes, intramural sports at UT do not travel or play against other schools.  The Ice Vols have traveled and played intercollegiately since 1967.

Q: What schools do you play against?
A: We play the majority of our games against major universities here the South such as Kentucky, Georgia, and Vanderbilt.  We also compete against well-known schools across the nation including Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, Cincinnati, and Penn State.

Q: How many games do you play, and how long is your season?
A: We typically play around 30 games a season, beginning in October and running through the ACHA National Championship Tournament in early March. We do not play during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks

Q: I am interested in becoming an Ice Vol.  When are tryouts, and how does that work?
A: Consult the Player Information section below and bring your equipment to school. We hold a training camp around the first week of September for coaches to determine the initial 22-man roster; however, all players will have an opportunity to move up to the 22-man roster during the season.  Players who are not on the 22-man ACHA roster will play on the B-team against smaller colleges, high school's and area men's league teams.