Ice hockey in the desert seems to be an acquired taste — at least when it comes to the NHL.

The Hockey News recently ranked the Arizona Coyotes’ fan base as the worst in the league. But that isn’t stopping Arizona State University from moving its successful men’s hockey club team up to Division 1 competition.

We spoke with Mike Snee, Executive Director of College Hockey, Inc., who says ASU’s decision is a game-changer.

But the upward move of ASU’s men’s hockey team will also necessitate other steps related to Title IX, the federal law banning discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Amy Moritz, a sportswriter for The Buffalo News, explained.