The formation of the league was motivated by the decision of Penn State University to start a varsity hockey program in the spring of 2011. This gave the Big Ten Conference enough members to start a Division I hockey league for the 2013-14 academic year. The fall out also led to the demise of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association The league is based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jim Scherr was named the league's first commisioner in January 2012. He was replaced by Josh Fenton on July 1, 2013.