Starting D1 Hockey Program

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

SBI: University of St. Thomas Looking at Move to Division I
By Chris Dilks

I'm glad you posted the source of the article. You saved me from visiting click bait.

[thebrain]

It’s highly unlikely that the Xcel or Target would give up dates where they have concerts, shows, state Volleyball tournaments and other far more lucrative events for ST hockey.

I agree, Target Center wasn’t too upset over losing the Frozen Faceoff. The NCHC had to buy out its last year and it gave Target Center more open dates to hold a concert where they’d make more money.

Richfield, Aldrich or Braemar are closest to the needed size. None of those places are great options. Which made me wonder if they’d fold the program to save on the costs.

[4four4]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

I agree, Target Center wasn’t too upset over losing the Frozen Faceoff. The NCHC had to buy out its last year and it gave Target Center more open dates to hold a concert where they’d make more money.

Richfield, Aldrich or Braemar are closest to the needed size. None of those places are great options. Which made me wonder if they’d fold the program to save on the costs.

Indeed, it's why it will be interesting to see what their plans are going forward.

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

Richfield, Aldrich or Braemar are closest to the needed size. None of those places are great options. Which made me wonder if they’d fold the program to save on the costs.

A Minnesota university dropping their hockey program? They'll shutter the university before they drop hockey. This is Minnesota you're talking about... That's like asking WI to remove milk from grocery stores.

I would put money on UST having D-I hockey before the next Big10 school. Mass, Minn, Mich... Which "M" state will be the D-I hockey king?

[Slap Shot]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

That's like asking WI to remove beer from grocery stores.

fyp

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

Another article that just decides to skip over the part where there aren’t appropriate facilities available.

https://www.mankatofreepress.com/spo...840308eaa.html

I swear, sometimes it’s no wonder that college hockey fandom is so willing to latch onto outlandish ideas like a video game, an entire Pacific coast conference springing out of nothingness, more than 1000 people watching games on Primetime cable, etc.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

Don’t get me wrong, I like our collective optimism, but it’s quite amusing how we seem to fall into these traps of thinking that these hurdles aren’t a big deal.

Maybe they figure they’ll keep their high school level facilities until they can raise the funds?

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

Don’t get me wrong, I like our collective optimism, but it’s quite amusing how we seem to fall into these traps of thinking that these hurdles aren’t a big deal.

Maybe they figure they’ll keep their high school level facilities until they can raise the funds?

I will admit that UST is in a very unique position with their timetable being bumped up 5 years compared to a "traditional" D-I move. That's what's compromising things here. If they had the time, I'm sure they could figure out a viable option SOMEWHERE in the MSP area while long-term fundraising begins for a permanent, 5000 seat arena. I would say that permanent arena would probably open in 2027-30 in that scenario however.

[4four4]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

What would happen to the sports (ice hockey, football) that aren’t sponsored by the Summit League?

The Summit League does not currently sponsor ice hockey or football. As a result, St. Thomas would actively pursue affiliate membership opportunities for these programs in other Division I conferences.

Athletics Update FAQs

[Keith-Stone]

A Minnesota university dropping their hockey program? They'll shutter the university before they drop hockey. This is Minnesota you're talking about... That's like asking WI to remove milk from grocery stores.

I would put money on UST having D-I hockey before the next Big10 school. Mass, Minn, Mich... Which "M" state will be the D-I hockey king?

I know it starts with an “N”, but if we are talking D1 hockey king, it is definitely New York with 10 teams. If we were to list off the d3 schools that have it as well, I’d guess we have the most ncaa hockey teams of all the states.

[thebrain]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

What would happen to the sports (ice hockey, football) that aren’t sponsored by the Summit League?

The Summit League does not currently sponsor ice hockey or football. As a result, St. Thomas would actively pursue affiliate membership opportunities for these programs in other Division I conferences.

Athletics Update FAQs

I've heard talk about the Pioneer League (Drake, Butler and others) or the Missouri Valley(NDSU, UNI and others) for football. The Thommies will be playing a game in about a week-and-a-half at Allianz Field. The United have a home playoff game the next night. It'll be a good test on the turf.

For hockey, the WCHA part III, or whatever it'll be called. They could make being an independent work for a few years I guess. The arena issue is going to be a problem. I don't know how much room they have left of campus for an arena. Or how well it'll go over with the neighborhood.

[Sean Pickett]

I know it starts with an “N”, but if we are talking D1 hockey king, it is definitely New York with 10 teams. If we were to list off the d3 schools that have it as well, I’d guess we have the most ncaa hockey teams of all the states.

No, Massachusetts also has 10 DI teams. Furthermore, if I counted correctly MA has 2 D2 teams and 19 D3 teams while NY has 0 D2 and 17 D3 teams. Note, I only counted men’s teams.

Sean

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

I've heard talk about the Pioneer League (Drake, Butler and others) or the Missouri Valley(NDSU, UNI and others) for football. The Thommies will be playing a game in about a week-and-a-half at Allianz Field. The United have a home playoff game the next night. It'll be a good test on the turf.

For hockey, the WCHA part III, or whatever it'll be called. They could make being an independent work for a few years I guess. The arena issue is going to be a problem. I don't know how much room they have left of campus for an arena. Or how well it'll go over with the neighborhood.

The Pioneer League would be a decent fit since it's scholarship free.

[Bonin21]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

I've heard talk about the Pioneer League (Drake, Butler and others) or the Missouri Valley(NDSU, UNI and others) for football. The Thommies will be playing a game in about a week-and-a-half at Allianz Field. The United have a home playoff game the next night. It'll be a good test on the turf.

For hockey, the WCHA part III, or whatever it'll be called. They could make being an independent work for a few years I guess. The arena issue is going to be a problem. I don't know how much room they have left of campus for an arena. Or how well it'll go over with the neighborhood.

The grass at Allianz has been brutal all year. That could help MN though as the best player to ever play in the MLS will be coming in the next night. Anything to mess with his game.

[4four4]

Re: Starting D1 Hockey Program

The grass at Allianz has been brutal all year. That could help MN though as the best player to ever play in the MLS will be coming in the next night. Anything to mess with his game.

The franchise said, they had a drainage problem which they fixed before installing the new grass.