RPI 2023-24: In Our 200th Year, We're Getting It Right

[sezenack]

I know nothing about University of Maine's finances, but I wouldn't necessarily draw inferences about a school's budget status based on investment in their sports program, particularly their flagship sport. West Virginia U is in such bad straits that they are laying off over 100 faculty and shutting down a significant percentage of their degree programs. I'll bet, however, that the football team's NIL program is growing quite nicely. Donors will ensure that.

Yeah NIL funds are not from the school itself, so I agree those would be misleading. In Maine's case, I didn't realize the alfond family funded the renovations, so I'll walk back my statement that said Maine isn't broke due to their athletics renovations

[sezenack]

You probably should look at the campus and talk to some folks who work there before making the assumption that everything is great based on a gift from the Alfond foundation. Maine is dying slowly but surely except near the coast where people from away are buying everything in sight. Maine has far too many campuses and not near enough taxpayers to maintain the system.

I already addressed this

[DavidNardolillo]

The underlying financial situation at the school/university system are a complete disaster.

I will add that Maine is not, and won't be, the only school suffering from this issue. Enrollment declines at many schools: there are far fewer 18 year-olds than there are seats in post-secondary institutions and there is going to be a bigger drop in the next couple of years. It is a really difficult situation and it is going to be a rough few years, especially for private colleges that do not have the ability to receive direct taxpayer support. Will be interesting to see how this affects the college hockey landscape and other sports with no or low revenue.

[DavidNardolillo]

Nice start to the season. Team looked super competitive. Hopefully this was a fluke game cause if that’s what Dave is going to put on the ice fire him now and get someone who can actually recruit and coach.

Maine looked great and could have won by many more. RPI looked like they had zero energy and were skating in sand. That said, RPI is not *that* poor of a skating team. Not to search for excuses, but I was wondering if there was illness running through the team; the performance was that bad. If the players were healthy, they need to dig deep and leave it all out there every shift tonight. The players know that performance isn't acceptable and that they are capable of much more. Will be interested to see the response tonight.

[Puckfan90]

Maine looked great and could have won by many more. RPI looked like they had zero energy and were skating in sand. That said, RPI is not *that* poor of a skating team. Not to search for excuses, but I was wondering if there was illness running through the team; the performance was that bad. If the players were healthy, they need to dig deep and leave it all out there every shift tonight. The players know that performance isn't acceptable and that they are capable of much more. Will be interested to see the response tonight.

I sure hope Payant plays tonight! I know Hotson's getting all the press as the "real deal", but Payant was the one that stood out on the ice every shift last weekend. (I did make it to the Guelph game last week!). I'm looking forward to watching him the most this season. I hope coach Smith gives him the nod tonight!

[hab]

Does anyone know if there will be video coverage available in Canada for RPI Mens and Womens hockey this year? I see ESPN is doing some games, but last year I couldn't access ESPN and I forget who provided coverage in Canada.

[DrDemento]

Does anyone know if there will be video coverage available in Canada for RPI Mens and Womens hockey this year? I see ESPN is doing some games, but last year I couldn't access ESPN and I forget who provided coverage in Canada.

Trying to find out for you now. The girls will be on ESPN+ today but not tomorrow. Syracuse has their own broadcast for that game on their own pay per view. The girls looked pretty good last weekend and the line up out there for the second game was extremely physical. Got called a couple times for body checking but after the first period they were really pushing Bemidji State all over the place which led to some very good scoring chances.

[sezenack]

Does anyone know if there will be video coverage available in Canada for RPI Mens and Womens hockey this year? I see ESPN is doing some games, but last year I couldn't access ESPN and I forget who provided coverage in Canada.

Use a VPN and set it to be in the US to access ESPN

[hab]

Trying to find out for you now. The girls will be on ESPN+ today but not tomorrow. Syracuse has their own broadcast for that game on their own pay per view. The girls looked pretty good last weekend and the line up out there for the second game was extremely physical. Got called a couple times for body checking but after the first period they were really pushing Bemidji State all over the place which led to some very good scoring chances.

Looks like Stretch Internet will have most of the games. Last year RPI had a link to it on each game on their schedule, but they seem to have dropped the ball, or puck, on it this year.

[hab]

Looks like Stretch Internet will have most of the games. Last year RPI had a link to it on each game on their schedule, but they seem to have dropped the ball, or puck, on it this year.

The international link is now up on the men's schedule but not yet on the women's

[Engineers]

Maine looked great and could have won by many more. RPI looked like they had zero energy and were skating in sand. That said, RPI is not *that* poor of a skating team. Not to search for excuses, but I was wondering if there was illness running through the team; the performance was that bad. If the players were healthy, they need to dig deep and leave it all out there every shift tonight. The players know that performance isn't acceptable and that they are capable of much more. Will be interested to see the response tonight.

If theirs no illness going through the locker room then that’s on the coaching staff for not having these guys ready to go. Which is kinda ridiculous considering it’s the first two games of the new season. One would think the excitement would be palpable? These boys came out like it was a ****ing friendly pickup game in Orono Maine. Honestly I’m not surprised by this. It’s been like this for 7 years with the Dave smith experiment. It’s failed miserably with season after season with 20+ loses with stupid excuses as to why we suck. We play a few good games a season and look like **** most of the season so nothing new here.

[AspyDad]

This series at Maine was very telling about the program. Lee and Shirley went with Smith over Barr and from the evidence right in front our face it was a disaster. Per CHN, we were out shot 108-32 ; total dominance. Call it the Tale of Two programs, one in ascendance and one in decline. Another 20 loss season is unacceptable and Marty and the new AD will have to intervene. No more excuses. We could have had one of our own (Barr) fix this but we didn't. Just awful.

[troyboy]

This series at Maine was very telling about the program. Lee and Shirley went with Smith over Barr and from the evidence right in front our face it was a disaster. Per CHN, we were out shot 108-32 ; total dominance. Call it the Tale of Two programs, one in ascendance and one in decline. Another 20 loss season is unacceptable and Marty and the new AD will have to intervene. No more excuses. We could have had one of our own (Barr) fix this but we didn't. Just awful.

When Lee McElroy and Dave Smith walked into the Fieldhouse together it was The Day the Mucic Died. I fear its beyond repair we lost our window of opportunity when Lee passed on Barr wouldn't even return his phone call instead relied on a search firm whom never recruited a hockey coach before or since they knew less about hockey than Sezenack and a 100 shot 10 goal weekend 1 contract into the rebuild is not a good look !

[BC/HE]

Wish you guys were more competitive against Maine. Now unless BC blows you out as well, we will be questioning BC's strength. The only thing that may prevent that is BC missing the net consistently as they appear to be doing. Totally expect BC to control play as they can roll out 4 good lines with the top 2 being exceptional.

[Engineers]

This series at Maine was very telling about the program. Lee and Shirley went with Smith over Barr and from the evidence right in front our face it was a disaster. Per CHN, we were out shot 108-32 ; total dominance. Call it the Tale of Two programs, one in ascendance and one in decline. Another 20 loss season is unacceptable and Marty and the new AD will have to intervene. No more excuses. We could have had one of our own (Barr) fix this but we didn't. Just awful.

Couldn’t agree more with you. It is awful.