Future D3 (and D2) hockey programs

[Scott_TG]

That would make 11 in the LEC though which I think is too many. People want to see OOC games. I'm surprised more conferences don't go smaller like the WIAC.

Why not bring the NEHC back?

Norwich
Babson
Hobart
Skidmore
NEC
St. Anselm

IMO, unless you're a fan of the perennial champion of a bad conference, you should not advocate for six-team conferences. Unless the number of new programs keeps adding bids to the tourney, they just cannibalize at large bids.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

I don't know the details of Norwich blowing it up. I thought the LEC forming forced everyone's hand.

The NEHC could have continued and was ready to continue until Norwich pulled chute and Babson followed.

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Recent Forbes report lists three NCAA Division III hockey schools in serious financial crisis.

Hiram, Chatham and Albright.

 

[KrbFlint]

The NEHC could have continued and was ready to continue until Norwich pulled chute and Babson followed.

Exactly. "We" forced everyone's hand.

 

[MikeMidd]

Recent Forbes report lists three NCAA Division III hockey schools in serious financial crisis.

Hiram, Chatham and Albright.

And plenty of others it gives the same D rating to, including Elmira, Alvernia, Augsburg, Aurora, Manhattanville, Utica.

Full list is here, for those interested: https://www.forbes.com/lists/college-financial-grades/ It doesn't include public colleges.

Beyond just hockey, the demographics and financials don't bode well for small colleges outside the richest and academically strongest. Definitely cause for concern for DIII hockey.

 

[geneseo]

There just happen to be quite a few very well endowed, academically elite schools in New England.

As long as they keep pulling from their endowments for "need based" financial aid, we'll see schools like Hamilton becoming increasingly competitive.

 

[MilkUniversity]

That would make 11 in the LEC though which I think is too many. People want to see OOC games. I'm surprised more conferences don't go smaller like the WIAC.

Why not bring the NEHC back?

Norwich
Babson
Hobart
Skidmore
NEC
St. Anselm

With the LEC being made up of many former ECAC D3 teams, wonder if the LEC would go the old school route of splitting into two regions. Number of members would have to go up to 12 at least (and 14 probably to build a buffer). Doubt the NCAA would give each region a bid especially if schools try to game their placement, but a conference tourney would fundamentally work.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

With the LEC being made up of many former ECAC D3 teams, wonder if the LEC would go the old school route of splitting into two regions. Number of members would have to go up to 12 at least (and 14 probably to build a buffer). Doubt the NCAA would give each region a bid especially if schools try to game their placement, but a conference tourney would fundamentally work.

They won't. It had already been tried in another sport. The NCAA will not recognize divisions within a conference. No matter how the conference organizes/schedules itself. One conference. One AQ.