FOREST CITY — Women’s college hockey is coming to Northern Iowa, and Mason City will be home ice when the newest Waldorf University Warriors team takes the rink.
Waldorf University announced that it will add women’s hockey beginning in fall 2027, expanding an athletic program that already has a substantial hockey presence in the region.
The new team will compete under the American Collegiate Hockey Association and will practice and play its home games at the Mason City Arena, alongside Waldorf’s men’s Division I hockey program.
“The addition of the Women’s Hockey program represents an exciting new chapter for Waldorf athletics and builds on the already established hockey presence on campus,” Waldorf Athletic Director Chad Gassman said. “We’re excited about what this program can become and the energy it will bring to our campus.”
University officials are now beginning the work of building the program, including recruiting student-athletes and conducting a search for the team’s first head coach.
That coach will have the opportunity to build the program from the ground up ahead of its inaugural 2027 season.
Waldorf Director of Hockey Operations Mike Heitkamp said the addition has been years in the making.
“We have put a lot of work into our hockey programs over the last six years,” Heitkamp said.
Waldorf expanded from one hockey team to two in 2022 when it added a men’s Division II program, and officials had continued looking for an opportunity to establish a women’s team.
The university will apply for membership on the women’s side of the ACHA and expects to learn later this fall whether the Warriors will be allowed to begin at the Division I level or will initially compete in Division II.
“Regardless, we are very excited to add this team to our athletic department and become a member of the ACHA on the women’s side,” Heitkamp said.
The decision to place the team in Mason City adds another chapter to the region’s long hockey history.
NIT has followed Waldorf hockey and its connections to Mason City players for more than a decade, dating back to the early years of the Warrior program.
The Mason City Arena itself opened in the former JCPenney space at Southbridge Mall and has become a prominent home for hockey and other events. The facility was also recognized in 2020 as part of Mason City’s River City Renaissance project.
Now, women’s college hockey will join the mix.
Waldorf President Bob Alsop said the new program will expand opportunities for female student-athletes while bringing additional students to the Forest City campus.
“The women’s hockey program is a great opportunity to bring even more talented student-athletes to our campus,” Alsop said. “We are thrilled to expand our women’s athletic programs and are proud to welcome women’s hockey to the Warrior family.”
Waldorf officials say additional information about the coaching search, recruiting and program details will be announced as the team takes shape.
When the puck drops in fall 2027, Waldorf’s newest Warriors will represent the Forest City university while calling downtown Mason City their home on the ice.