ECRHA and NECRHA Announce Merger

The Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association and the New England Collegiate Roller Hockey Association are proud to announce the merger of their organizations effective June 22, 2002 under the ECRHA banner. All member clubs of the former NECRHA have been acknowledged as member clubs of the ECRHA. The merger swells the ECRHA to over thirty-five teams, its largest active membership in history, not including the new teams outside of the two organizations that will be added to the 2002-2003 season lineup. "We are thoroughly excited about the merger and the benefits that it will bring both former NECRHA teams and current ECRHA members. Not only will teams enjoy increased competition, but it opens the door to sponsorship opportunities and other areas of expansion not previously available," said Michael Burke, ECRHA Commissioner. Teams added by the merger include University of Vermont, U of New England, Boston University, Northeastern U, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Central Connecticut State University, U of Hartford, U of Connecticut, and U of Rhode Island. NECRHA's President Damian David had this to say about the merge, "I look forward to good things from this merger including improved competition, organization and more effective operation for the teams of the NECRHA. I think this is the opportunity that we have been working towards for the past 3 years and am excited to witness the realization of the fruit of the efforts for all those that were involved". Mr. David's comments are echoed throughout the League as the ECRHA invites the Board of the NECRHA to join the ECRHA Board in developing roller hockey throughout both the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions.