There is no doubt that UND is one of the elite hockey programs in the country - unarguably in the top ten most elite programs, being the 2nd most attended college program after Wisconsin since the Ralph opened (first this year), and being the most winning WCHA program over the past ten years (according to the Grand Forks Herald).
However, I believe that UND has lost big time in conference realignment. The issue stems from the fact that UND was unable to get Notre Dame, Boston College, or Boston University in their conference. Although I believe UND is a better and more successful program than a team like Notre Dame, we all know that Notre Dame is a higher profile university from a college sports perspective. The random sports fan in Alabama is more likely to watch a Notre Dame-Michigan game than even a UND-Minnesota game. Thus, I think it was essential that UND get a big name program in a conference essentially created by the powers from DU and UND. Instead, UND got none of them. Even though the NCHC will probably be the most successful program out of the gates from on-ice success, it is essentially the third in profile after Hockey East and the Big Ten evidenced by the tv deals (NBC Sports Network reaches 75 million households for Hockey East, Big Ten Network 73 million households for Big Ten, and CBS Sports Network 44 million households). Source -> http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012...nbcsn-ratings/
Now lets not kid ourselves...UND won't fall off a cliff overnight. However, I fear that UND could slowly become less relevant in hockey and its already somewhat coming into effect. UND has had four players de-commit since deciding to join the NCHC.
So if there is a pecking order among current players of program prestige (with prestige driving NHL scouting, tv coverage, fan support, and team success), my fear (as a UND fan) is that UND may fall in the eyes of current and future players. I mean, will there be a day when playing at even a program like Penn State is a bigger deal than North Dakota or Denver? Or, will the conference changes not affect greatly kids decisions where they play? And going back to the original question: Will UND lose in conference realignment? After all, success is perpetual. You win, you get the good players, you get the fans, the coverage, the big-name coaches, and this success drives young kids to envy the program and the circle continues. You slip in profile and you stop getting the players and it all unravels.
However, I believe that UND has lost big time in conference realignment. The issue stems from the fact that UND was unable to get Notre Dame, Boston College, or Boston University in their conference. Although I believe UND is a better and more successful program than a team like Notre Dame, we all know that Notre Dame is a higher profile university from a college sports perspective. The random sports fan in Alabama is more likely to watch a Notre Dame-Michigan game than even a UND-Minnesota game. Thus, I think it was essential that UND get a big name program in a conference essentially created by the powers from DU and UND. Instead, UND got none of them. Even though the NCHC will probably be the most successful program out of the gates from on-ice success, it is essentially the third in profile after Hockey East and the Big Ten evidenced by the tv deals (NBC Sports Network reaches 75 million households for Hockey East, Big Ten Network 73 million households for Big Ten, and CBS Sports Network 44 million households). Source -> http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012...nbcsn-ratings/
Now lets not kid ourselves...UND won't fall off a cliff overnight. However, I fear that UND could slowly become less relevant in hockey and its already somewhat coming into effect. UND has had four players de-commit since deciding to join the NCHC.
So if there is a pecking order among current players of program prestige (with prestige driving NHL scouting, tv coverage, fan support, and team success), my fear (as a UND fan) is that UND may fall in the eyes of current and future players. I mean, will there be a day when playing at even a program like Penn State is a bigger deal than North Dakota or Denver? Or, will the conference changes not affect greatly kids decisions where they play? And going back to the original question: Will UND lose in conference realignment? After all, success is perpetual. You win, you get the good players, you get the fans, the coverage, the big-name coaches, and this success drives young kids to envy the program and the circle continues. You slip in profile and you stop getting the players and it all unravels.
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