The end of leagues as we know?

[MavsFan]

My point is that I see teams (their fans at least) whining about what they will lose from these games against bigger schools. Rather, the schools, should they continue playing hockey, should adapt and work on drawing more casual fans. My opinion is that winning more often will offset that.

Do you read? I've said it's not so much losing the games (but let's take two or three of the biggest-drawing weekends away from your school and see how you do) as it is losing the perception of being a serious D-I conference. A "Northern Sun Hockey Conference" is simply not going to excite the locals, or the students for that matter. And that's a fact.

If "winning" was all that mattered, then Gustavus Adolphus should be able to fill a 5000 seat arena in their D-III conference. But they don't, because it is not seen as big-time college hockey, just like the WCHA leftovers would be seen.

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

And this is why I knew the Big 10 would end college hockey as we know it. The small schools will die because as soon as the Big 10 decided to kick them out then all the other big hockey schools would do the same to keep pace. Anyone who thought UND, Miami, Notre Dame, etc. wouldn't follow suit was kidding themselves.

[Osorojo]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

Follow the money. Do not forget that taxpayers have been obliged to finance many private sports venues.

[LynahFan]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

Few. A lot start in the papers or in reputable blogs. Then like wild fires, they take on a life of their own and spread and spread and spread.

But - the BTHC will be the only multisport conference in D-I hockey and hence will have a lot of input in NCAA circles on the future of college hockey. I'm wondering if the Ivy Group needs to split off from the ECAC just to counterbalance (that's a rumor or speculation or wishful thinking).

I have to say that I'm awfully flattered that you think the NCAA would consider the Ivy League's input on a remotely equal basis with their interest in the B10's input, but I still think you're a little nuts.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

I have to say that I'm awfully flattered that you think the NCAA would consider the Ivy League's input on a remotely equal basis with their interest in the B10's input, but I still think you're a little nuts.

I'm still banking that the ivies have no reason to split off at this point, given they're getting the autobids quite frequently in recent history.

[fangers]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

And this is why I knew the Big 10 would end college hockey as we know it. The small schools will die because as soon as the Big 10 decided to kick them out then all the other big hockey schools would do the same to keep pace. Anyone who thought UND, Miami, Notre Dame, etc. wouldn't follow suit was kidding themselves.

Ironic that not too long ago several of these schools were considered "small schools" and "second level" hockey schools...how quickly they forget...

[Happy]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

There are seven other schools in this scenario that are looking to form a conference I would blame the BTHC farce for this mess.

The new conference won't take a school with an "abusive and hostile" nickname, so you guys will be able to keep your rivalry with BSU.

[Goon]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

You can do what you want, but your school and its fans were the ones bemoaning Minnesota and Wisconsin for doing what was in their best interests. Now it appears you are doing the same thing. It may hurt your feelings that your precious little UND is now as big a ******s as the Big Ten is, but it doesn't change the fact that it is the truth.

You are going to dump the same schools the Big Ten teams did and screw them over for the exact same reason. If you deny it, you are nothing but a hypocrite. Since we know that is true, feel free to deny it....

Wow! So Hand-job let me make sure that I get this right... It's OK for the BTHC Farce to blow up College hockey for the sake of making more money and not wanting to play the small schools like Bemidji's and Mankato's of the world because they are the almighty Big Ten and everyone knows that college hockey revolves around them. But the flip side of that argument for college hockey fans in general, who basically aren't happy about the Big Ten formation; so when their teams/schools try to answer the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference with a possible college hockey formation of their own, our fans aren't allowed to be happy about it or applaud the move because it's now considered hypocritical? I just want to make sure that I have your logic right. What kind of ****en logic is that?

[SCSU Euro]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

Wow! So Hand-job let me make sure that I get this right... It's OK for the BTHC Farce to blow up College hockey for the sake of making more money and not wanting to play the small schools like Bemidji's and Mankato's of the world because they are the almighty Big Ten and everyone knows that college hockey revolves around them. But the flip side of that argument for college hockey fans in general, who basically aren't happy about the Big Ten formation; so when their teams/schools try to answer the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference with a possible college hockey formation of their own, our fans aren't allowed to be happy about it or applaud the move because it's now considered hypocritical? I just want to make sure that I have your logic right. What kind of ****en logic is that?

Not exactly. It isn't "ok" for Minnesota and Wisconsin to take off, but yes, if you chastize them but support UND forming a new conference, that's the DEFINITION of hypocritical.

[sandiegoblkbr]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

I know that this will rile many feathers but how about a true East/West "powerhouse" league consisting of:

Maine
UNH
BU
BC
Providence
UMass

Miami
Notre Dame
UNO
North Dakota
CC
Denver

Scheduling - 3 games vs. division, 1 game vs. each vs. other division, total league games = 21

Travel partners - Maine/UNH, BC/BU, UMass/Providence, Miami/ND, UND/UNO, CC/Denver

[Goon]

Not exactly. It isn't "ok" for Minnesota and Wisconsin to take off, but yes, if you chastize them but support UND forming a new conference, that's the DEFINITION of hypocritical.

I am glad that my school is being proactive instead of reactive!!!

[SCSU Euro]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

I am glad that my school is being proactive instead of reactive!!!

Hey, justify it however you like, but to talk bad about Minnesota, then go out and do the same thing, is pretty dumb.

[Tater]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

I know that this will rile many feathers but how about a true East/West "powerhouse" league consisting of:

Maine
UNH
BU
BC
Providence
UMass

Miami
Notre Dame
UNO
North Dakota
CC
Denver

Scheduling - 3 games vs. division, 1 game vs. each vs. other division, total league games = 21

Travel partners - Maine/UNH, BC/BU, UMass/Providence, Miami/ND, UND/UNO, CC/Denver

Was the inclusion of UMass intentional or unintentional comedy? Vermont would be a better choice or heck, even UMass-Lowell. At least they have had somewhat a taste of national success.

[First Time, Long Time]

I am glad that my school is being proactive instead of reactive!!!

Fine, be glad.
But shut up then about ANY Big Ten school because what your school is doing makes them no better.
The majority of true hockey fans on here wanted nothing to do with a BTHC, they wanted to stay where they were but they also knew that they couldn't do anything to stop it as the Big Ten calls the shots and Minnesota wasn't going to spite the Big Ten just for hockey's sake.
Your school however is deciding it can't survive without other big name schools so they figure to hell with it, let's do what we want and watch these other schools die.
I'm really worried this kills several programs and SCSU will be among them.
But go ahead and applaud your school while chastising the Big Ten.
Hypocrite.

[komey1]

Re: The end of leagues as we know?

Do you read? I've said it's not so much losing the games (but let's take two or three of the biggest-drawing weekends away from your school and see how you do) as it is losing the perception of being a serious D-I conference. A "Northern Sun Hockey Conference" is simply not going to excite the locals, or the students for that matter. And that's a fact.

If "winning" was all that mattered, then Gustavus Adolphus should be able to fill a 5000 seat arena in their D-III conference. But they don't, because it is not seen as big-time college hockey, just like the WCHA leftovers would be seen.

Not sure why you chose Gustavus Adolphus - they only have had somewhat recent success, a rink capacity of 1000, and enrollment around 2500.

However, I do think I get your point. The fans would see the new league as a step down. And you believe they would not support even a winning team in a weaker league. Is that what you think?