The AWCHA organized and developed activities with collegiate women's varsity ice hockey teams, and helped to promote women's ice hockey at all NCAA levels.
The first AWCHA Division I national ice hockey championship was held in March 1998.
The New Hampshire Wildcats defeated the Brown Bears by a 4–1 score, to become the first recognized national champion in women's college ice hockey.
In August 2000, the NCAA announced it would hold its first Division I women's ice hockey national championship.
The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs captured the first NCAA national championship, defeating the St. Lawrence Saints by a 4–2 tally on March 25, 2001.