ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

[Ronnieb]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Au contraire. A donor ponied up 32 million to get ASU's program going:

http://www.statepress.com/article/2014/11/asu-hockey-announces-historic-move-to-ncaa

And, it was the largest donation to the Athletic Department in ASU school history, just as it was a Penn State. In fact, at Penn State, the contribution was the single largest in school history for any reason, let alone to the Athletic Department.

Title IX "compliance" varies from school to school. Many schools are already upside down to some degree or another (read: more men's athletic scholarships than women's) on scholarships.

Any school, that endows the 18 men's scholarships for a D-1 men's hockey program had better be endowing that many on the women's side of the ledger, too. Don't have to be in the same sport, by the way.

And, having arenas/facilities of some kind or another does NOT mean that they necessarily have the capability to make ice in them.

And, to reiterate from the article I posted, Arizona's own AD says D-1 hockey is not on their radar. What could be more definitive than that?

Heard the same thing. U of A is legit. More money, better facilities, more fan base and the most important thing very competitive people. Note that the AD's quote was to the "house of sparky". hmmm

 

[Red Cows]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Heard the same thing. U of A is legit. More money, better facilities, more fan base and the most important thing very competitive people. Note that the AD's quote was to the "house of sparky". hmmm

Again, heard this where?

Everyone is long on rumor and short on substance here. What tangible benefit does Arizona's AD derive from lying to House of Sparky or, anyone else about this, if it is, in fact, so?

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

New to the forum and an alum of ASU and transplant from the Northeast. I grew up on college hockey and am thrilled that my alma mater is giving it a go. Looking over this thread I found some of the comments interesting. First in regards to the interest. It will need to be built from a grassroots effort. It will be a tall task for everyone involved. Hockey is the fourth of the four major sports in this market as it is. Then you mix in the colleges, golf, nascar, spring training, etc. Well lets just say it's one of the most saturated markets in the country. Our administration is looking at arena options and the possibility of joining forces with the Coyotes. As you probably know, the Coyotes are leaving Gila River Arena next season and looking for a new home in Phoenix area. But as a club sport, which we were, we gained little to no attention in the market. So this is starting point in every way for the program.

As for Arizona. They are our rival and we do not like them. But we would love them to come with us on this journey. We had 6,300 at our game agains them to open the season. However, it is not likely right now for them. Are they more legit as mentioned by Ronnie? Absolutely not. We are virtually the same. We are better in some areas and they are better than others. I just don't see them making the move right now. Financially this is very tough as ASU is seeing with having already traveled 35,000 miles this season.

So please give us a chance. I know the coach and players are working their tails off and hopefully we will can help eliminate the doubts everyone has soon. But as our coach has said, everyone in the college hockey community has been very good in working with us and Friday was a fun opening. I know I'm excited and look forward to another great day of hockey tomorrow. Yale really took it to us and the Michigan Tech looked good against a UCONN team that has already beaten us twice.

Thanks for your ear. I look forward to watching us grow over the next few seasons.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Typical for an outdoor rink back east, maybe.
Is it also typical for play to be stopped 3 or 4 times a period to clean the ice.

You totally miss the point. Yes it was cool,( only at the very end of the second game) in the arena, but the point was that it was still warmer than it was outside. Which it was.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Welcome to the boards Revs89, this journey for ASU will be very interesting, it's just too bad that this tournament couldn't have been scheduled when students were at school? With busses from Tempe perhaps?

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Welcome to the boards Revs89, this journey for ASU will be very interesting, it's just too bad that this tournament couldn't have been scheduled when students were at school? With busses from Tempe perhaps?

Great point on the students. While Oceanside is very, very tiny and not suitable by any stretch, they do get some students out there. Being out of session certainly hurts. Tomorrow will be much of the same in terms of crowd I'm guessing. Hopefully they can get some news soon on arena directions. There are some nice options being floated around, but it seems we are waiting first on the Coyotes. It also doesn't help that school is in the middle of a $256 million upgrade to the football stadium (which is greatly needed) and also want a new basketball only arena. So a joint venture would work best with the Coyotes. But the area is booming around campus. So we will see what happens. I know they are also in talks in trying to get the Frozen Four here. I know it would be a pain for everyone having to travel out, but would be a nice boost here.

 

[HuskyNation]

I know they are also in talks in trying to get the Frozen Four here. I know it would be a pain for everyone having to travel out, but would be a nice boost here.

This is no more of a pain than getting to Tampa and those Frozen Fours are very well received. Many would be happy to travel to Phoenix in early April. Warm weather places for hockey are just fine with me at this point.

It's been fun for us here so far this weekend. Looking forward to the games this afternoon. Tech needs a win over Yale desperately for the Pairwise boost.

Outside of the turnout and the technical programming difficulties at times, it has been an enjoyable event and weekend.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Being partners with an NHL team on an arena is a crappy solution. It's to be avoided if at all possible. Not only because sharing sucks, but because playing in a 20,000 seat rink, with 750 fans is not a good idea.

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

This is no more of a pain than getting to Tampa and those Frozen Fours are very well received. Many would be happy to travel to Phoenix in early April. Warm weather places for hockey are just fine with me at this point.

It's been fun for us here so far this weekend. Looking forward to the games this afternoon. Tech needs a win over Yale desperately for the Pairwise boost.

Outside of the turnout and the technical programming difficulties at times, it has been an enjoyable event and weekend.

With College Football Championship events going on in town, NFL playoffs on tv, etc., it will be the hockey diehards in attendance. I'm heading out for the games shortly and will be cheering on Tech! You all were great supporting our squad and I will be returning the favor! Best of luck to you! Stop by 114 and say hi if you get a chance. I will be wearing the Gold ASU hat!

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Being partners with an NHL team on an arena is a crappy solution. It's to be avoided if at all possible. Not only because sharing sucks, but because playing in a 20,000 seat rink, with 750 fans is not a good idea.

Agreed on this. It is far from ideal as we have seen this weekend. Unfortunately as I mentioned, the Sun Devil Stadium (football) project, along with the basketball plans, make it possibly a must in terms of finances. The Coyotes need to find someplace to go, as they leave Gila River after next season. Rumored deals on one of the Reservations have been talked about as well as joint downtown ventures. The East Valley would be the best, but I don't think we are in a position of strength on this one. Like you all have noticed, we have our work cut out for us. Thanks for the thoughts! I'm by no means an official on the subject, but happy to share my insights. Regardless of the flaws we have had this weekend with crowd and in-game ops, I'm excited for another day of college hockey here. We have to start somewhere and this has been a nice start.

Also, as it came up earlier. ASU is providing a free live stream for both games if interested.
http://www.thesundevils.com/SportSe...0300&SPID=166608&SPSID=971111&DB_OEM_ID=30300

 

[HuskyNation]

With College Football Championship events going on in town, NFL playoffs on tv, etc., it will be the hockey diehards in attendance. I'm heading out for the games shortly and will be cheering on Tech! You all were great supporting our squad and I will be returning the favor! Best of luck to you! Stop by 114 and say hi if you get a chance. I will be wearing the Gold ASU hat!

Very nice talking with you today. Keep the faith, it will not be an easy road and will take good years of recruiting exceptional D-1 talent to get the program in the right direction. But, there is a light to prosperity (Penn State proves that) and I have every faith with better facilities the recruiting will even start selling itself.

ASU would be better served with a similar arena to the Scheel's Arena in Fargo to be on/near campus at ASU. 5000-6000 seats would be much better atmosphere for the players.

 

[Revs89]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Very nice talking with you today. Keep the faith, it will not be an easy road and will take good years of recruiting exceptional D-1 talent to get the program in the right direction. But, there is a light to prosperity (Penn State proves that) and I have every faith with better facilities the recruiting will even start selling itself.

ASU would be better served with a similar arena to the Scheel's Arena in Fargo to be on/near campus at ASU. 5000-6000 seats would be much better atmosphere for the players.

Thanks for stopping by. It was great meeting you and of course, congrats on the tourney win! I hope this helps move you up in the rankings!

I am anxious to hear more and hopefully it will be soon on the arena front. As for our squad, we have some work to do. But we will just take it one step at a time. Bemidji is up next for us. Hopefully we can get the offense going.

Safe travels home and thanks to your group for supporting the Sun Devils! We appreciated it and hope this becomes a yearly event for us.

 

[rustedblades]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Michigan Tech wins the 1st Desert Classic Hockey Tournament!!! With a tie???????
Something wrong with that. What happened to playing till there's a winner?
Disappointing for both teams I'm sure.

 

[ASUHockey]

Re: ASU's 2016 Desert Classic w/ Special Guests Michigan Tech, U-Conn & Yale

Thanks for stopping by. It was great meeting you and of course, congrats on the tourney win! I hope this helps move you up in the rankings!

I am anxious to hear more and hopefully it will be soon on the arena front. As for our squad, we have some work to do. But we will just take it one step at a time. Bemidji is up next for us. Hopefully we can get the offense going.

Safe travels home and thanks to your group for supporting the Sun Devils! We appreciated it and hope this becomes a yearly event for us.

Thank you for all the positive info and feedback!! I don't understand why some people have to be so negative on this forum, it's very discouraging to read some of the comments, makes me not want to come back and it really shouldn't be that way.