indiana university hockey
Indiana University hockey is centered around its club ice hockey programs (men’s and women’s), plus an NCAA Division I field hockey team that competes in the Big Ten Conference.
H1: Indiana University Hockey – Quick Scoop
Indiana University does not have NCAA varsity men’s or women’s ice hockey, but it has long-running club programs that compete nationally, along with an established varsity field hockey team.
Men’s Ice Hockey at IU (Club)
Indiana’s primary men’s ice hockey presence is a club team that competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), most recently at the Division III level. Historical records show the team has appeared in ACHA competition in recent years, including the 2019–2020 season. Roster, stats, and basic organizational info are maintained on national hockey databases and player sites.
The program has a longer regional history as part of the Big Ten Hockey League and Midwestern collegiate circuits, with titles attributed to Indiana University Bloomington teams, including league championships in 1971 and 2001 and multiple Midwestern Collegiate Hockey League crowns in the 1980s and 1990s. This paints IU men’s club hockey as a tradition program at the club level rather than a new startup.
Recent streaming coverage (for example, road games at Bowling Green’s Slater Family Ice Arena in late-night “hockey after dark” matchups) highlights that IU’s club games are now regularly broadcast online, complete with dedicated play‑by‑play and color commentary. That makes the team more visible to students, alumni, and prospective players following along from afar.
Women’s Ice Hockey at IU (Club)
Indiana University also supports a women’s ice hockey club that promotes itself as the school’s first women’s ice hockey organization. The official club site emphasizes opportunities for players of varying experience to join, compete, and help grow the sport on campus. As a club, it operates under IU’s club sports structure rather than NCAA varsity athletics, but it still organizes regular practices and intercollegiate games.
This women’s club reflects a broader trend in U.S. college hockey where schools without NCAA women’s teams build competitive club programs first, then use that base to expand interest, recruit players, and potentially push for higher levels of recognition over time. For students at IU who want to play organized women’s hockey while pursuing a degree in Bloomington, this club is currently the main pathway.
NCAA Indiana Hoosiers Field Hockey
While ice hockey is club-only, Indiana University fields an NCAA Division I field hockey team, the Indiana Hoosiers field hockey program. The team represents IU in the Big Ten Conference and plays home games at the IU Field Hockey Complex in Bloomington, a dedicated venue opened in 2007 with a synthetic Polytan surface and modern watering system. An adjacent fieldhouse added in 2009 provides locker rooms, meeting space, and equipment facilities specifically for the program.
Field hockey became a varsity sport at Indiana in 2000, and the Hoosiers quickly rose to relevance with NCAA tournament appearances in 2005 and 2009. In those seasons they advanced as far as the NCAA second round and reached the Big Ten tournament final, including notable wins like a 2005 NCAA first‑round victory over North Carolina. The team has finished as high as second place in the Big Ten regular season multiple times, particularly during the mid‑2000s.
Coaching leadership has included long tenures: Amy Robertson guided the program through its early years, followed by Amanda Janney and, more recently, head coach Kayla Bashore, herself a former IU All‑American. Season‑by‑season records show fluctuating results—with strong mid‑2000s campaigns and more challenging stretches in the 2010s and early 2020s—but consistent participation in one of the toughest field hockey conferences in the country.
Program Snapshot Table
| Program | Level | Governing body | Home base / facility | Notable points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Ice Hockey (IU) | Club (ACHA) | American Collegiate Hockey Association | Bloomington, Indiana (club facilities, regional rinks) | Has competed in ACHA; historical Big Ten Hockey League and MCHL titles including 1971 & 2001 league championships. | [3][4][9]
| Women’s Ice Hockey (IU) | Club | IU Club Sports / ACHA‑style competition | Bloomington, Indiana (club facilities, regional rinks) | First women’s ice hockey club at Indiana University; offers competitive and developmental play for students. | [6]
| Indiana Hoosiers Field Hockey | NCAA Division I | NCAA, Big Ten Conference | IU Field Hockey Complex, opened 2007 (capacity ~500) | Varsity program since 2000; NCAA tournament in 2005 & 2009; multiple Big Ten runner‑up finishes. | [1]
Recent and Trending Context
In the mid‑2020s, IU’s hockey presence is growing more visible online, with club games being streamed and promoted through platforms like YouTube and social media, bringing more attention to Indiana University hockey beyond the immediate campus. Recruiting‑style player databases and team‑profile sites tracking IU’s ACHA participation also help prospective players gauge the level of competition and see past rosters and stats.
On the field hockey side, Indiana continues to grind through the deep Big Ten schedule, aiming to return to the NCAA tournament and recapture the energy of its mid‑2000s peak seasons. With a dedicated facility and a history of All‑American players, the Hoosiers field hockey team remains IU’s flagship varsity “hockey” presence, while the men’s and women’s ice hockey clubs carry the school’s name on the ice across the club‑hockey landscape.
TL;DR: Indiana University hockey today is a mix of competitive men’s and women’s ice hockey club teams plus a Division I field hockey program that battles in the Big Ten and has a history of NCAA tournament appearances.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.