Bryn Athyn College, a private Christian college in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, has a rich history dating back to its incorporation in 1877. Originally known as the Academy of the New Church, the institution has evolved over the years, expanding its academic and athletic programs. Among these, hockey stands out as the longest-running sport at the college, fostering camaraderie, developing life-long friendships, and uniting the local community with passionate support.
Bryn Athyn Cathedral, a central landmark of the community.
The Early Years: A Beacon of What Could Be
On February 4, 1921, a magical season began for Bryn Athyn Academy hockey. The 1921 team won every game they competed in, including wins over the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University in exhibition contests.
Werner Schnarr captained the 1921 team. Schnarr was a Boys's School Senior. That 1920-1921 Bryn Athyn Academy team served as a beacon of what our program could be and would become.
Later, in 1924 he became an "Original Eleven" Boston Bruin. in the National Hockey League. He is the only alumni to go on and play in the NHL.
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Werner Schnarr as captain for the Bryn Athyn team in 1921 (left), and with the 1924-1925 Boston Bruins NHL team (right).
The Resurgence and the Schnarr Legacy
The hockey program surged again in the early 1960s when a group of Canadian students took the initiative to form a team. Hockey has been played at Bryn Athyn ever since. Coach Brian Schnarr inspired a generation of players, and hockey became a part of the institution's fabric.
Schnarr was a visionary and helped establish the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey League (later renamed Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference -- DVCHC) in 1971-72.
The 1972 championship team was commemorated on December 12, 2014. Several members of the team participated in the ceremony at the Jungé Pavilion.
The Jungé Pavilion Era and ACHA Dominance
5&5 with the Men's Ice Hockey Captains
In 1995, the program took another major step with the opening of the Jungé Pavilion rink on campus.
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In the 2010s, the program became one of the premiere Division III club programs in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). The Lions won four league championships and were ranked #1 in the ACHA Atlantic region at the end of three consecutive seasons.
A major milestone was qualifying for the ACHA D3 National Championship tournaments for three straight years and reaching the Frozen Four twice.
Transition to NCAA Division III
The program's amazing success at the club level ushered in a new era of Division III hockey. The upstart Division III team made some noise and was trending to become a part of the regional conversation in the "D3" hockey world.
Joining the NCAA DIII was a milestone for Bryn Athyn College history. Bryn Athyn competed as a member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) from 2018-19 to 2022-23, as well as having a stint in the UEC from 2014-15 to 2017-18, back when the conference was known as the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), and as an NCAA Division III Independent during the 2013-14 school year under an exploratory basis.
A Lasting Impact
Hockey has been the longest running sport at Bryn Athyn College. The program has provided camaraderie, and developed life-long friendships. The local community united behind the team with dedicated and passionate support.
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Our record of 25 consecutive home wins at the Jungé Pavilion will take some beating. Campus life buzzed with excitement throughout the season and connected us all.
Many fans traveled to the national finals or gathered on campus to watch the live stream en masse. Wonderful memories!
One hundred years on and still going strong!