The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) began as a men's collegiate hockey league in 1991, and quickly grew to a league of over 150 teams in three men's divisions. A Women's Division was added in 2000, and currently boasts five divisions (two women's now) with over 300 teams from across the United States. ACHA teams are non-varsity club teams without NCAA sanction; they offer no scholarships and typically receive far less university funding than is sufficient to cover expenses.
The California National Letter of Intent (CLI) is an agreement that binds student-athletes to a specific collegiate hockey program within the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACH). The CLI is a legally binding document that signifies a student-athlete's commitment to their chosen college or university and their intention to participate in the collegiate hockey program. The California CLI signifies that the student-athlete has officially accepted an offer of athletic scholarship or financial aid from the specific institution. By signing the CLI, both the student-athlete and the institution commit to each other; the student-athlete agrees to attend the college or university for at least one academic year, while the institution commits to providing athletic scholarship or financial aid for the same period. The California CLI is crucial in the recruitment process for collegiate hockey programs within the ACH. It helps coaches secure talented athletes and ensures that scholarships and financial aid offers are honored. This document outlines the terms and conditions of the scholarship or financial aid awarded to the student-athlete. There are various types of NLS within the American Collegiate Hockey Association, each specific to the region or state where the institution is located. However, the California CLI is unique to colleges and universities in California, offering prospective student-athletes the opportunity to play collegiate hockey in one of the country's most competitive regions. Some examples of different types of California NLS in relation to their respective institutions include: 1. University of California CLI: This type of CLI is specific to the University of California system, which comprises various schools such as UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles (UCLA), UC San Diego (UCSD), and others. Student-athletes who commit to a UC school will sign the University of California CLI. 2. California State University CLI: This CLI is tailored to the California State University (CSU) system, which includes institutions like CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, CSU San Bernardino, and more. Student-athletes committed to CSU schools will sign the California State University CLI. 3. Independent California College CLI: Some private colleges and universities in California, not affiliated with the UC or CSU systems, have their own version of the California CLI. These NLS create binding agreements between the student-athlete and the respective independent institution. Overall, the California National Letter of Intent within the American Collegiate Hockey Association is a critical agreement that solidifies a student-athlete's commitment to a college or university's hockey program. It ensures that both parties uphold their responsibilities, providing talented athletes with an opportunity to excel in their sport while pursuing higher education.
