Originally Posted on WIACSports.com

MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) announced today that the two conferences have reached an agreement that will result in the WIAC members leaving the NCHA following the 2012-13 season - a year earlier than originally planned.

View Original Announcement from Feb. 15

The conferences elected to expedite the departure of the WIAC members due primarily to the scheduling complications that would result if the WIAC members remained through the 2013-14 academic year. The NCHA men's conference will conclude its two-year scheduling rotation at the conclusion of the 2012-13 season and the NCHA women's conference will conclude its four-year schedule rotation also at the end of the 2012-13 season.

NCHA Commissioner Bill Kronschnabel and WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner issued the following statement. "After considerable discussion, it was determined that it was in the best interest of both the NCHA and WIAC to move up the departure date. In so doing, both conferences can begin immediately to stabilize their respective memberships and to develop long-term scheduling arrangements."

The WIAC members withdrawing from NCHA are UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout and UW-Superior.