Michigan Tech Huskies 2020-21: * Our 100th Anniversary * No Catchy Title Needed *****

[Burnt Orange Husky]

While I acknowledge that COVID created huge challenges this season, that didn't stop other teams from being successful, so I don't find it to be a valid excuse for Tech or justification to accept another mid-pack finish. Just looking at the WCHA, Mankato clearly didn't miss a beat, BGSU / BSU maintained and LSSU took a major step forward. All teams faced the challenge of Covid this year. The winners adapted, overcame and kept finding ways to win consistently. Some other teams did not and finished in the bottom half of the conference.

True. But with fewer games, the margin of error was reduced and minor differences were amplified. Look at how tightly teams 2 through 6 are bunched.

Clearly Minnesota State is the class of the conference. What things are they doing that makes them so successful year after year?

[Burnt Orange Husky]

With the Tommies' head coaching hire, they are clearly not going to be satisfied with a bottom half finish in the CCHA. They are in it to win it from day 1.

So here's a university about the same size as Tech and they can field both men's and women's D-1 hockey teams. Why can't Tech?

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

What things are they doing that makes them so successful year after year?

Money, location, and recent track record are the difference there. Easier to scoop up MN talent as an MN school, especially when you do a lot of winning, and MN produces far more college players than the UP. Mankato also spends more money on their facilities & team than anyone else in the conference, and I'd expect UST to be right there with them.

[beaverhockey]

So here's a university about the same size as Tech and they can field both men's and women's D-1 hockey teams. Why can't Tech?

Look at their endowment

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Look at how tightly teams 2 through 6 are bunched.

Tech was close in the standings, but not on par with the top four teams in the conference. They went undefeated against the bottom three but had almost no success against the top four. The top four teams finished where they did because they could not only beat the poor teams in the conference but they also got some wins against other top teams as well.

[Burnt Orange Husky]

Look at their endowment

Sure, $540M vs Tech's $115M. A private, religious institution vs a state school. Down here in Texas, we have the reverse. Baylor has less money than the mighty Univ of Texas and yet they continue to win big and beat Texas regularly. National championships in both men's and women's basketball. And Waco is not a great location.

Tech has more than enough highly paid female alumni engineers to cover the cost of a team and I'm confident they would rally to the cause. A pitch from Suzanne stating, "The men say we don't need women's hockey. They say we can't afford it. Let's prove them wrong." That's an easy pitch. Let it be totally funded by female alumni. If they don't give their support, than no team.

How much would it cost? Are any accurate estimates available?

[Burnt Orange Husky]

Tech was close in the standings, but not on par with the top four teams in the conference. They went undefeated against the bottom three but had almost no success against the top four. The top four teams finished where they did because they could not only beat the poor teams in the conference but they also got some wins against other top teams as well.

Well put. So how did LSSU do so well? Houghton's better than Sault Ste. Marie. Is it just coaching?

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

So how did LSSU do so well?

I would say that Mareks Mitens having a standout senior season had a lot to do with their success. If you look over the rest of their stats, not much else changed.

[manurespreader]

Congratulations to Coach Luke on a great career!

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Three year extension for Coach Joe.

https://twitter.com/mtuhky/status/13...974259205?s=20
https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/...20210420hup1ru

Last line of the story, an interesting factoid:
This current contract was agreed upon in January 2021.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

That seems fair. He probably wanted four or five, administration probably wanted two.

[StevieYnot]

Last 4 years league standings:
5th
6th
6th
5th

To quote a quote:
'Best of the lousiest, the lousiest of the Best'

[giwan]

Three year extension for Coach Joe.

https://twitter.com/mtuhky/status/13...974259205?s=20
https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/...20210420hup1ru

Last line of the story, an interesting factoid:
This current contract was agreed upon in January 2021.

So what do you think keeps him, and what do you think is the reason to cut bait? Two tournament appearances? One year with a deep run? With that last paragraph, big expectations? Does anyone see upsetting the Mavs?

[njmav1]

Look at their endowment

That doesn't mean they can spend any of it directly on athletics.

It does mean that they likely have a large pool of alumni with deep pockets willing to write checks for athletics. And if they recruit athletes who also excel academically, then they can fund part of their scholarship from non-athletic sources.

[Redridge]

I like Joe. I hope he does well. I think the senior class will be good next year.

But 7 years is a long time to be a bottom dweller. We can’t deal with a Jamie Russell again.... next year is a “must year” for Joe.

Go Tech!