Big Ten Hockey Conference

[dggoddard]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

ESPN.com & ESPN Magazine reporting Penn State adding hockey

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5580469&campaign=rss&source=NHLHeadlines

Both the CCHA and WCHA have expressed interest in adding Penn State.

The Big Ten, which is scheduled to expand its membership to 12 when Nebraska officially joins in the 2011-12 school year, now could decide to begin its own hockey league. That would create a domino effect that could change the face of U.S. college hockey throughout the Midwest.

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

In DU's case, their season ticket base is in a very competitive sports market sustained by people who pay $25 or $30 a seat, and they won't continue to pay that kind of money for a second tier conference comprised of DII schools.

DU fans pay more for their seat per game than most AHL fans pay for theirs.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Wow Barry Alvarez is a doosh. Maybe we'll all get lucky and he'll have a heart attack and croak.

 

[Rover]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Yes. DU has to fly to most games anyway, so distance isn't the issue. Follow the money. DU and UND have invested well over $100 million each to run with the big dogs of college hockey, and they also have TV contracts at stake. In DU's case, their season ticket base is in a very competitive sports market sustained by people who pay $25 or $30 a seat, and they won't continue to pay that kind of money for a second tier conference comprised of DII schools.

DU and UND want to keep pace with the elite of the game, and it won't help them to play in a reduced WCHA.

Do you expect a drop in the success level of Denver though? It seems to me in general if a program is making noise in the NCAA's every year, and bringing in top notch players, the fans ought to come along for the ride. When BU was on their championship run a couple of years ago, having players like Wilson, Bonino, Yip, and Gilroy lighting up the scoreboard was a lot of fun to watch whether they were playing BC or Merrimac. My point being a good team will draw a certain # of fans no matter who the opponent I would think.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Sounds like Penn State to begin play as an independent and not join the CCHA.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10259/1087965-143.stm

The source said the team will move from club status to Division I in 2011 or '12. Penn State likely would begin play as an independent.

 

[moose97]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Sounds like Penn State to begin play as an independent and not join the CCHA.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10259/1087965-143.stm

I would be very surprised if they pushed ahead with a 2011 start, unless they announce a coaching hire within the next month. 2012 wouldn't be so surprising, and would allow an independant year in the old rink before joining whatever conference in time for their building opening, as we all have been told, in 2013...

 

[Handyman]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I think what everyone should glean from this (and other) threads is that, apparently, Minnesota fans really do have the right to be arrogant, since the only way UND and Denver (not to mention the rest of the schools in the WCHA) have any chance of surviving is if they (and WI) are around

Minnesota and Wisconsin Hockey: We are only arrogant because you need us so badly

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Wow Barry Alvarez is a doosh.

No arguments here. Pat Richter'd better be enjoying his retirement.

 

[ItalianSioux]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Do you expect a drop in the success level of Denver though?

Yep.

Well, maybe not DU for sure, but definitely for the weakened CCHA teams. NMU already faces troubles recruiting because some kids "Want to play against Minnesota/NoDak/Wisconsin" and turn down a good deal with the 'Cats to go to WCHA schools.

The 'Cats have also lucked into getting recruits that specifically state that they want to play against Michigan/Michigan State. Or that they do NOT want to play against NoDak/Minnesota regularly.


If kids are picking schools based on who they do play ALREADY, then there will definitely be a drop off of kids that will want to join. "Oooh, you play four games a year against Bowling Green, Robert Morris, AND Lake State? AND I'll be your top center? I'll take my chances with limited minutes elsewhere."


On the flip side, after a couple years of recruiting, we're going to be right back to where we are. Great kids who decide to attend these "Mid-Major" schools because the schools of their dreams (BigTen) have a glut of players and wouldn't give the kid the time of day. Can a Lake State or Bowling Green survive ANOTHER downfall in recruiting?

 

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Well, no dates were given, but I think we have a definitive time-line of just when a BigTen Conference would form.

http://www.ccha.com/ccha_extends_longstanding_relationship_with_fox_sports_detroit.aspx

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) announced today a new agreement with FOX Sports Detroit that will continue to showcase conference games on the regional sports network for many years to come.
"FOX Sports Detroit is synonymous with outstanding hockey coverage as personified by the 10 Michigan Emmy Awards, including two more this year, won by the network for CCHA programming," noted CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos. "The network has worked tirelessly over the years to promote the conference’s member institutions, teams, student-athletes and the sport of hockey. We look forward to enhancing our relationship in the coming years."

The 2010-11 lineup on FOX Sports Detroit and FOX Sports Detroit PLUS includes 11 regular-season games from five different CCHA campuses along with a first-round playoff game followed by the drama and excitement from the CCHA Championship at Joe Louis Arena on March 18-19 with coverage of both semifinals and the title game.

"FOX Sports Detroit and the CCHA have been in lockstep since the network’s launch in 1997 and we’re proud and excited to extend that relationship," said Greg Hammaren, Senior Vice President/General Manager, FOX Sports Detroit. "Our 2010-11 coverage is particularly anticipated with most telecasts delivered for the first time in high-definition. From the ‘Big Chill at the Big House’ to the CCHA Championship weekend and all games in between, it shapes up as a terrific season for college hockey fans in our region."

Fox Sports Detroit wouldn't gamble on too long term of a contract if it's going to lose it's bread and butter. Yeah, yeah, I know "many years" could mean three, just in time for the BTHC, but I get the feeling this is for at least five years if not longer. Why mention a long term deal if you know that Penn State will never play a game in your league?

 

[Craig P.]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

You'd have to think that FSD has some sort of a buyout or other protection in the event of substantial change in conference membership.

 

[thebrain]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Probably wouldn't be too difficult to change the contract. 49% of the BTN is owned by Fox Entertainment.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

No different than what's going on with the rest of college athletics right now and all the conference re-shuffling. The whole point of athletic conferences is that it's a big deal who you play against.

i thought the big deal wasn't who you play against, but who'll let you play in a bcs conference for football.

basketball doesn't matter, so that doesn't even come into play (as kansas in the big 12 is and has been superior to any big 10 team for decades - same with duke and unc in the "only above the big east" football acc). the conference dances are for football (ie, bowl championship games) only.

i can see the points DU guys are making where they feel they are getting kids who seem to go there to only compete against the gophs and bucky... but Gwoz has to be doing something to prepare them for the nhl other than getting to say, "alright boys, rest up-we get bucky this weekend!" BU plays in a decent conference (though not as good as the wcha ), yet they prepare kids to play in the nhl and get recruits who wish to do so - even if they do have to play against pc/nu/mc/uml/etc.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Who cares if they are confused as long as they are watching and why wouldn't they watch as long as its Wisconsin, Minnesota, MSU, Michigan, PSU, OSU vs someone?

True, its not like the Big Ten Schools don't already play body bag games in other sports like Football and Basketball just to have a home game to fill the coffers. In the past five years alone, schools like Delawear State, Eastern Michigan, Montana State, Youngstown State, Wofford, South Dakota and Appalachian State have all make appearnces at Big Ten Stadiums. I'm sure the Joe Six-packs out there that go out there and buy season tickets at Big Ten schools will still show up for games no matter who their team is playing.

 

[4four4]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE

Minnesota and Wisconsin Hockey: We are only arrogant because you (UND) need us so badly

.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Minnesota and Wisconsin Hockey: We are only arrogant because you need us so badly

Yes they do.


As much as I hate for UW to leave the WCHA, I think that playing 4 games against Michigan and Michigan State each season will make up for losing North Dakota and Denver.

Hate to say it, but the rest of the WCHA can be replaced with any non-cons.

How's THAT for arrogance?

 

[KC8NIY]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Sounds like Penn State to begin play as an independent and not join the CCHA.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10259/1087965-143.stm

Makes perfect sense to me. Why commit to a conference and then bail out a year or three later if the BTHC comes to fruition? They'll establish themselves as an independent and ride the fence until the latest talks definitively play out, at which point they'll jump to either the BTHC or CCHA.

 

[4four4]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Makes perfect sense to me. Why commit to a conference and then bail out a year or three later if the BTHC comes to fruition? They'll establish themselves as an independent and ride the fence until the latest talks definitively play out, at which point they'll jump to either the BTHC or CCHA.

It will be interesting to see what they do.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Yes they do.


As much as I hate for UW to leave the WCHA, I think that playing 4 games against Michigan and Michigan State each season will make up for losing North Dakota and Denver.

Hate to say it, but the rest of the WCHA can be replaced with any non-cons.

How's THAT for arrogance?

Play preferences:

UND/DU vs. UMich....even
CC/UMD vs. MSU....edge CC/UMD
SCSU/BSU vs. OSU....edge SCSU/BSU
MSM/UNO vs. PSU...edge MSM/UNO

Ya...I'd rather stay in the WCHA...sorry, but outside of MI/WI I just don't care about the other Big Ten schools. But I do think the Gophs would have a better record against the potential 'goliaths' rather than the current piranhas.