Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU and ??

[scsutommyboy]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

8 teams is a nice sounding number and all. But, the non-conference schedule would be only 6 games (not counting the potential 4 exempt games for playing UAA and UAF in Alaska). 6 teams ain't enough though. 7 might be the right number if you ask me. With an unbalanced schedule (play everyone 3 times?) you might just be able to find a palatable solution to the horror of flying all the way to the great white north 2 times.

Something unrelated:
And to everyone in the press and here quoting WCHA rules ... do you really think that the WCHA can't just vote to set aside rules that in the past made conference membership more of a pain? Please quit quoting current WCHA rules which were put in place by hegemonic entities in order to suppress the less powerful members of the former conference.

Can teams play 38 games or is there a 36 game cap?

If the league has 8 teams I don't see a problem with UA being in the league. each team could have a travel partners and teams that travel to alaska would have to play two straight weekends and stay the week inbetween. It really wouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

Can teams play 38 games or is there a 36 game cap?

If the league has 8 teams I don't see a problem with UA being in the league. each team could have a travel partners and teams that travel to alaska would have to play two straight weekends and stay the week inbetween. It really wouldn't be that big of a deal.

38 is ok...as for your 2 straight weekend thing, we've discussed this before. It would either have to occur while the traveling team is on the road (i.e. thanksgiving week for Michigan Tech) or the NCAA would have to give a waiver to allow a lower 48 team to spend the week in Alaska while classes are in session.

 

[uaafanblog]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

38 is ok...as for your 2 straight weekend thing, we've discussed this before. It would either have to occur while the traveling team is on the road (i.e. thanksgiving week for Michigan Tech) or the NCAA would have to give a waiver to allow a lower 48 team to spend the week in Alaska while classes are in session.

And since UAA and UAF are granted that waiver every year ... then it's especially not a problem. Here's the thing though ... the Alaska teams probably aren't overly concerned with the number of conference games per year. Typically, I think UAA and UAF wouldn't have a hard time coming up with non-conference opponents. In fact, I think they'd both easily fill their schedule. But how many non-conference games are Mankato, MTU, SCSCU and Bemidji going to want to have to schedule? Is there a magic number? Is 10 too many for any of them? An insular conference schedule (i.e. what the WCHA has currently) is fine when you've got "powerhouses" in the mix but I can't feature a 28 game conference schedule going forward ...

I'm just sooooo into the 7 ...
8? not so much ...

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

And since UAA and UAF are granted that waiver every year ... then it's especially not a problem. Here's the thing though ... the Alaska teams probably aren't overly concerned with the number of conference games per year. Typically, I think UAA and UAF wouldn't have a hard time coming up with non-conference opponents. In fact, I think they'd both easily fill their schedule. But how many non-conference games are Mankato, MTU, SCSCU and Bemidji going to want to have to schedule? Is there a magic number? Is 10 too many for any of them? An insular conference schedule (i.e. what the WCHA has currently) is fine when you've got "powerhouses" in the mix but I can't feature a 28 game conference schedule going forward ...

I'm just sooooo into the 7 ...
8? not so much ...

It's just my opinion but I don't think Tech will have any trouble filling 10 non con games what so ever. I agree that it could be a benefit. I'm also ok with 8 teams. but again, that's just my opinion. I think you will see teams like UMTC/ UMD/ Wisconsin looking for a number of games in and around Minnesota so I don't think the other teams will squawk either.I'd also like to see 2 exemptions for the teams that go North and play two series. I think it's an advantage recruiting wise.

 

[oldish husky]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

Going back to the "southern Minnesota" schools discussion, there's no way the WCHA would or should leave out MSU-M or SCSU. As much as it pains me to say so, recent history clearly demonstrates that St Cloud is the top of the remaining teams. I hope that changes soon, but it's reality for now. With SCSU in the mix, MSU-M fits geographically. Plus they are the only team against whom we won a series last year, so they have to stick around. I just don't see how any one can argue that we add another Alaska school instead of two Minnesota schools for geographic reasons????? I'd be happy with 8 schools.

 

[davyd83]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

Can teams play 38 games or is there a 36 game cap?

If the league has 8 teams I don't see a problem with UA being in the league. each team could have a travel partners and teams that travel to alaska would have to play two straight weekends and stay the week inbetween. It really wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Actually, it is possible to play 39 games, as the Hall of Fame game is also exempt.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

It's just my opinion but I don't think Tech will have any trouble filling 10 non con games what so ever. I agree that it could be a benefit. I'm also ok with 8 teams. but again, that's just my opinion. I think you will see teams like UMTC/ UMD/ Wisconsin looking for a number of games in and around Minnesota so I don't think the other teams will squawk either.I'd also like to see 2 exemptions for the teams that go North and play two series. I think it's an advantage recruiting wise.

It certainly would be interesting to see what kind of schedule Michigan Tech could put together with 10 NC games and NMU as a conference member. The fact that the NCHC and B1G are at 6 bodes well for MTU getting games with those teams as well as a few series with eastern team. I'd expect the GLI (2 games), 1/2 series with an eastern team (2/4 games) and 3/4 series with the NCHC/B1G schools. I would be surprised if MTU/Wisconsin didn't continue a relationship with 1 series a season...maybe rotating like this (2-Madison, 2-Green Bay, 2-Madison, 2-Houghton over 4 years).

 

[Rms123]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

Danny Martin isn't one to write something like that without something to go on, so I'm assuming he knows something. Since this is the local Fairbanks rag I'm going out on a real long limb here and saying that it will be the Nanooks and either Moorhead or Lake State. I don't think WMU will make a move until Notre Dame announces their intentions.

Danny Martin also thought that Colorado College was DI in all athletics, and that if he calls the NCHC "the Nat" enough it wil catch on! You ever watch him do an interview? It's brutal. Great guy....not so great reporter(except when he copies, cuts, and pastes). Alaska has obviously sent in a app, along with LSSU. Moore-head isn't even a DI team yet. Can they even apply? Anyone know?

 

[Rms123]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

My hope: LSSU applies to the WCHA with UAF, both are admitted, and the league offices are located in Houghton, the most centralized location and the city and school.

I have always likes LSSU, and have rooted for them when not playing us. I like what you are thinking here.

 

[Rms123]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

The UAA athletic director was on the radio this afternoon talking about the new UAA sports arena (that does not include hockey). A caller asked him about the "new" WCHA and would _airbanks be part of it, and Cobb said UAA was going to fight very hard to get UA_ into the WCHA. He said we should know something in a month. I hope it doesn't take that long, but this thing seems to be a real mess right now.

I still CANNOT wrap my head around the new UAA sports arena not including hockey!!!! I just don’t get it. I have opinions on how that whole bait and switch took place, but putting that aside, I find it utterly idiotic that the main athletic program of the university wasn't the focal point of the sports complex. Simply perplexed.

 

[Squarebanks]

I still CANNOT wrap my head around the new UAA sports arena not including hockey!!!! I just don’t get it. I have opinions on how that whole bait and switch took place, but putting that aside, I find it utterly idiotic that the main athletic program of the university wasn't the focal point of the sports complex. Simply perplexed.

I sincerely think there is more to the UAA arena than the public knows about. A 5,000 seat arena for D2 basketball and volleyball is a little excessive. My hunch is that either hockey will be included or they will use it to jump to D1 in other sports.

 

[Rms123]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

Exactly. That's why Moorhead has given themselves that three-month window to get enough money to prove that starting a program is feasible - and that's just the first step. Whether or not they can jump through all the hoops remains to be seen.

After Fairbanks (which I'm expecting sooner or later), I doubt that an eighth team gets added in any hurried fashion. There's at least a whole 'nother year for these things to get hammered out, and other decisions should be expected by then.

It will be sooner than later. You have to scheduling into account here. Teams usually are scheduled out more than 2 years from what I understand. You can’t schedule a team that doesn’t exist. It would be to the benefit of everyone to get these leagues set quickly.

 

[Rms123]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

I sincerely think there is more to the UAA arena than the public knows about. A 5,000 seat arena for D2 basketball and volleyball is a little excessive. My hunch is that either hockey will be included or they will use it to jump to D1 in other sports.

I hope they include hockey. I really don't care about the other sports much. I agree 5000 seat for DII basketball, and volleyball is crazy. I wouldn't believe they ever pull more than 2k fans per game for any of those teams (other than playoffs).

 

[aparch]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

It certainly would be interesting to see what kind of schedule Michigan Tech could put together with 10 NC games and NMU as a conference member.

Enjoy seeing LSSU, FSU, BGSU, and Bobby Mo every year.

The fact that the NCHC and B1G are at 6 bodes well for MTU getting games with those teams as well as a few series with eastern team. I'd expect the GLI (2 games), 1/2 series with an eastern team (2/4 games) and 3/4 series with the NCHC/B1G schools. I would be surprised if MTU/Wisconsin didn't continue a relationship with 1 series a season...maybe rotating like this (2-Madison, 2-Green Bay, 2-Madison, 2-Houghton over 4 years).

NMU took Wisco to the negotiating table just to get the 2-Madison, 2-Badger Showdown (Madison), 2-Green Bay (Neutral) a few years back. Wisco looks at Green Bay as a "home" game for their fan base who can't make it to Madison, and NMU banks the gate intake (after fees). This upcoming agreement was just for 2-Madison, 2-Green Bay.

Denver had no interest whatsoever in making a reciprocal trip to the UP for our stint in Denver. That was 2-Denver, 2-Denver Showcase, here's your check, thanks.

NoDak even went further by just wanting us for two games in Grand Forks. No reciprocal trip ever. Take the big check and there's the on-ramp toward MQT.


I would imagine for NMU, the Wisco series will remain. Maybe not every two years, but I believe every graduating class from NMU will see one Wisconsin series. The Green Bay/Milwaukee/Southeast Wisconsin corridor is collecting more alumni, and it's a great marketing tool for the University.

I really don't see NMU ever being invited to play with Michigan and (to some extent) Michigan State. If anything, we'll be invited to the GLI and see them that way. If there even is a GLI in two years. Maybe a once a decade invite to East Lansing/Ann Arbor... but I don't see it. We'd likely get tOSU as a Ten-Year non-con agreement before we play Michigan (anywhere (regular season)), once they join the B1G.

I have heard that NMU wants to continue making trips to WMU and ND. For ND, that will likely turn into a NoDak/Denver situation where we take a big check and always drive to South Bend. Western may be more amicable and want to venture back.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

Enjoy seeing LSSU, FSU, BGSU, and Bobby Mo every year.


NMU took Wisco to the negotiating table just to get the 2-Madison, 2-Badger Showdown (Madison), 2-Green Bay (Neutral) a few years back. Wisco looks at Green Bay as a "home" game for their fan base who can't make it to Madison, and NMU banks the gate intake (after fees). This upcoming agreement was just for 2-Madison, 2-Green Bay.

Denver had no interest whatsoever in making a reciprocal trip to the UP for our stint in Denver. That was 2-Denver, 2-Denver Showcase, here's your check, thanks.

NoDak even went further by just wanting us for two games in Grand Forks. No reciprocal trip ever. Take the big check and there's the on-ramp toward MQT.


I would imagine for NMU, the Wisco series will remain. Maybe not every two years, but I believe every graduating class from NMU will see one Wisconsin series. The Green Bay/Milwaukee/Southeast Wisconsin corridor is collecting more alumni, and it's a great marketing tool for the University.

I really don't see NMU ever being invited to play with Michigan and (to some extent) Michigan State. If anything, we'll be invited to the GLI and see them that way. If there even is a GLI in two years. Maybe a once a decade invite to East Lansing/Ann Arbor... but I don't see it. We'd likely get tOSU as a Ten-Year non-con agreement before we play Michigan (anywhere (regular season)), once they join the B1G.

I have heard that NMU wants to continue making trips to WMU and ND. For ND, that will likely turn into a NoDak/Denver situation where we take a big check and always drive to South Bend. Western may be more amicable and want to venture back.

I don't see the GLI going anyway because Michigan and MSU have a very open schedule now and don't have anything else at the Joe anymore. It will be interesting to see who the 4th team is...if it ends up being a rotation of the other Michigan schools or continues to include eastern teams. I highly doubt it includes an NCHC team going forward. As for the UW/MTU/NMU relationship...who knows what that holds but I would think UW might start making the occasional trip to the UP since they can't have everything at home and MTU/NMU are 2 of the shortest trips available for UW. Who knows...maybe it just ends up that UW plays MTU & NMU both twice each year with one series in GB and the other in Madison each season. I hope that at least occasionally those games will take place in Marquette and Houghton.

 

[aparch]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

I hope that at least occasionally those games will take place in Marquette and Houghton.

I'd like to see that too, but I've heard that Wisco "has no reason to travel to the UP." No financial benefit, no huge alumni base to tap into, nothing.

 

[scsutommyboy]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

And since UAA and UAF are granted that waiver every year ... then it's especially not a problem. Here's the thing though ... the Alaska teams probably aren't overly concerned with the number of conference games per year. Typically, I think UAA and UAF wouldn't have a hard time coming up with non-conference opponents. In fact, I think they'd both easily fill their schedule. But how many non-conference games are Mankato, MTU, SCSCU and Bemidji going to want to have to schedule? Is there a magic number? Is 10 too many for any of them? An insular conference schedule (i.e. what the WCHA has currently) is fine when you've got "powerhouses" in the mix but I can't feature a 28 game conference schedule going forward ...

I'm just sooooo into the 7 ...
8? not so much ...

SCSU can fill the non-conference games especially if the butt hurt conference only has 6 teams.

 

[Pump It Up]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

Of course, this would make me very happy if indeed LSSU was the secret, heretofore unknown applicant.

And of course LSSU makes enormous sense -- LSSU, NMU, Tech, Bemidji, UAA, and UAF -- the real question mark is whether Mankato and St. Cloud have a geographic fit, not the other way around. Note -- Obligatory defensive remark upcoming: I am not sure what SCSU or Mankato offer in this scenario. A WCHA dominated by the northern hockey schools means that the southern half of Minnesota is just as lost in the wilderness as anyone else. It all depends upon perspective. If your world-view originates from Minneapolis, and your world-view narrow enough, I can see where a person might think LSSU is a distant addition.

Of course, if your world view is from the UP or Alaska, Mankato and SCSU are just as distant, remote, and nationally meaningless as BGSU and Ferris.

Perhaps instead of engaging in xenophobic spasms caused by the mere mention of non-Minnesota-based WCHA programs, the supporters of college hockey in distant, remote, isolated, south-central Minnesota should perhaps be celebrating the survival of their league, with the addition of schools wherein hockey is the Number One program, with their own histories and rivalries.

My hope: LSSU applies to the WCHA with UAF, both are admitted, and the league offices are located in Houghton, the most centralized location and the city and school.

This post makes little sense to me. First, Bemidji is not leaving SCSU and Mankato, sorry. Second, I have not seen much Minnesota chest thumping done on behalf of SCSU, Mankato, or Bemidji in the past few weeks, so what's with the inferiority complex? Third, our league already survived. We have 6 teams. For all 6 of those teams, I would say hockey is the number one sport with a bullet (possible exception for Mankato and their basketball squad, but I don't follow any NSIC sports so not sure).

You have this confused. You are not in a barganing position. Just smile and hope McLeod and the WCHA ADs show you mercy. If you don't want into the WCHA you can stay put with Ferris, WMU, UA-H, and whoever you can siphon from the AHA.

I feel for LSSU and would welcome them into the WCHA, but this post bothers me. There, now you've seen a xenophobic spasm from an SCSU fan.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

I still CANNOT wrap my head around the new UAA sports arena not including hockey!!!! I just don’t get it. Simply perplexed.

It costs $4,200 to convert a small arena from hoops to ice. DU does it 120 times a year [$500,000]. Factor in the cost of adding an ice equipment, a practice ice sheet when Hoops uses the floor, different seating layouts and you add millions to the cost of the arena.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/9314838?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/9314838">Hockey to Basketball Time-Lapse</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2370335">DU Clarion</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

 

[Rms123]

Re: Faribanks Daily: Rumors of the WCHA announcing two applicants this week? NMU an

It costs $4,200 to convert a small arena from hoops to ice. DU does it 120 times a year [$500,000]. Factor in the cost of adding an ice equipment, a practice ice sheet when Hoops uses the floor, different seating layouts and you add millions to the cost of the arena.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/9314838?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/9314838">Hockey to Basketball Time-Lapse</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2370335">DU Clarion</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

I see what you're saying, but my point is.........that I am perplexed by the fact that it isn't a hockey facility, with a gym, student rec center, etc added on. The BB and VB facilities at UAA are good enough for the level they compete at, and for the crowd sizes they bring in. Those sports will never fill a 5k arena in Anchorage. I don't care if the school goes DI in those sports, it will never happen. When you are dumping 100 million plus into a facility like that, why would you not build it for a team that could darn near fill it every game, generate revenue, and who competes at the highest NCAA level for the sport. It is a giant waste for bouncy ball, VB, and gymnastics.