Division I - FAQs Students & Parents

Not automatically. We'll continue to evaluate our coaches on success in the classroom and athletic realm, along with alignment to Mercyhurst's mission and commitment to community service. We're confident that our coaches—who won at the highest levels of DII—will remain successful in DI.

• Determination of roster spots will remain unchanged and will continue to be evaluated by each head coach as we've operated in past years.
  • Head coaches will continue to have discussions with every student-athlete on their team and their role within the program.
• The athletic scholarship process will remain unchanged and will be administered in the same fashion as previous years, where each head coach makes recommendations on renewals, increases, reductions, or non-renewal through the Office of NCAA Compliance and in conjunction with the Office of Financial Aid.
  • Head coaches will continue to have discussions with student-athletes on their team who are currently receiving athletic aid and will receive it for the upcoming academic year.
     

The shift to Division I will have a positive effect on campus culture, as it enhances school spirit and student engagement. With increased visibility and more competitive athletic programs, students often become more passionate about supporting their teams, leading to a more vibrant campus life. This opportunity opens a door for Mercyhurst’s community to widen its regional impact and connectivity.

Student-athletes are empowered to capitalize on their own Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and the NEC has an ongoing partnership with FanWord, a leader in the NIL space. The agreement provides the NEC with a wide assortment of online NIL educational resources, along with a comprehensive disclosure and monitoring platform. Mercyhurst student-athletes should continue to work with our NCAA Compliance office on questions relating to any NIL disclosures.

Mercyhurst has ample experience helping student-athletes balance academic and athletic commitments. Mercyhurst student-athletes have a proven record of academic success, both regionally and nationally. Division I schools, including current Ice Hockey programs, have more demanding schedules for student-athletes due to increased competition and travel commitments. Although this can affect the balance between academics and athletics for student-athletes, Mercyhurst is prepared to provide additional academic support.

Costs associated with the move from DII to DI are being covered by philanthropy, so tuition and fees will not be impacted by this transition. Like most universities, Mercyhurst is experiencing normal increases in the cost of operating as well as higher-than-average inflation, both of which will likely cause a slight increase in tuition and fees.

Mercyhurst has historically provided great value for fans and anticipates that this will continue, along with the likelihood of modest increases in ticket prices. At the same time, Mercyhurst will benefit from the NEC Network, a premier digital distribution platform that will enhance accessibility to Mercyhurst athletics for fans all over the country and world.