Welcome St Thomas to Division I and the CCHA

[moose97]

"While this legislation is under consideration, the Council indicated it would be receptive to a formal waiver request from Division III St. Thomas (Minnesota) and the Summit League that would allow the school to begin the reclassification process."

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/...ome-di-members

[njmav1]

"While this legislation is under consideration, the Council indicated it would be receptive to a formal waiver request from Division III St. Thomas (Minnesota) and the Summit League that would allow the school to begin the reclassification process."

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/...ome-di-members

I wonder if the nCCHA will extend an invitation in order to give UST's waiver request a little more weight.

[RaceBoarder]

So would this still be a 5-year process for UST? That kinda leaves them high and dry for 3-4 years during the transitional phase doesn't it? I thought the MIAC was giving them the boot after Spring '21.

[moose97]

So would this still be a 5-year process for UST? That kinda leaves them high and dry for 3-4 years during the transitional phase doesn't it? I thought the MIAC was giving them the boot after Spring '21.

Worst case scenario, maybe a year or two independent and a couple years as affiliate member? They could even do a scheduling agreement while independent

[4four4]

Don Lucia said, St. Thomas would be an interesting candidate to join the CCHA.

https://www.twincities.com/2020/06/1...to-division-i/

[njmav1]

So would this still be a 5-year process for UST? That kinda leaves them high and dry for 3-4 years during the transitional phase doesn't it? I thought the MIAC was giving them the boot after Spring '21.

I think the transition period is for full membership and post-season eligibility.

[D2D]

Don Lucia said, St. Thomas would be an interesting candidate to join the CCHA.

https://www.twincities.com/2020/06/1...to-division-i/

More on Lucia and St. Thomas:

Positive developments for both Don Lucia, St. Thomas
https://www.startribune.com/positive...mas/571367402/

[Sol Diablo]

Best of luck to St. Thomas. Will be interesting to watch their journey & see where they land.

[gfmorris]

I wish the program the best of luck, even if they join the CCHA and block the last hopes that UAH has of joining the conference that's best for us. We've blown a couple chances right now and I won't fault the CCHA schools if they don't take the Chargers (even if I will have voodoo dolls of all seven university presidents).

GFM

[thebrain]

I just received an email from the University of St. Thomas. The NCAA has approved the school's move to D-I. The email says they will be joining the WCHA for women's hockey, the Pioneer Football League and Summit League for all other sports. It also says "it is excited about conference options for our men's hockey program."

[moose97]

I'll just reiterate my title for this thread - welcome St Thomas to DI & the CCHA!

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Congrats, Tommies.

Big uphill battle for them, as their rink situation isn’t any better than LIU’s. Also, I hold high expectations for the student sections of the CCHA to come up with Tom Toss jokes.

Im guessing that with their funding, they’ll figure the arena part out.

[4four4]

https://www.startribune.com/st-thoma...n-i/571780492/

[Split-N]

Meanwhile, in Champaign-Urbana...

[JohnsonsJerseys]

I wish the program the best of luck, even if they join the CCHA and block the last hopes that UAH has of joining the conference that's best for us. We've blown a couple chances right now and I won't fault the CCHA schools if they don't take the Chargers (even if I will have voodoo dolls of all seven university presidents).
GFM

If you think UAH is sweating St Thomas getting to go D-I, think what is going through ASU's collective minds right now. They had a multi-year window to get on board with the WCHA/CCHA. Now with St Thomas going D-I that window is pretty much closed. If I was the Sun Devils, I would start sucking up to the NCHC really hard, and quickly. If the NCHC passes them over (rink or no rink), they might be independents for a loooog time. Their other option is to be beating down the doors of every major university in CA and convince them they need a D-I hockey team. See below why that isn't going to happen.**

While not great, UAH's geography is FAR better than where ASU is sitting. At least UAH is a bus trip from most of the Eastern conferences. The only schools remotely thinking about busing to ASU are CC, DU and maybe Omaha. ** If you don't think that is a big deal, just look at how many schools are dropping sports due to budget shortfalls. Hmmm, do we want to schedule a flight or a bus for our non-conference series? ASU independent in the West and playing 30+ road games a season... How long are they willing to do that before Sun Devil hockey becomes non-essential in Phoenix?