Hockey support in Georgia

[JDUBBS1280]

BSU and Mankato are bigger draws in Cloud than Sconnie. I know Motzko plans on playing BSU on a regular basis, but not sure about mankato. Motzko knows he has a great conference schedule every year and can pay to get teams to come the Herb, so he doesn't need sell out to Sconnie. He does it with the Gophers because it benefits us recruiting wise and the fans want them in our building.

Look at BSU's schedule next year. Do you not think they would benefit from seeing UW, UND, or Minnesota in their building (one, not all) almost every year? UND has done an admirable job of getting to BSU (proximity helps). Would it hurt a school like Wisconsin to make it to Mankato every so often without requiring two return trips?

Maybe I am giving UW too much credit for what they will draw at opposing rinks, but I would think the brand recognition of a UW would be more significant than an Atlantic Hockey team out West.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

College Sports is big business now. It's not a charity. It used to be a charity. It used to be part of the college experience. That's no longer the case. You get hired to coach D1 college hockey you're expected to win and you're expected to put butts in the seat. If you can't hack it then find another job.

We all knew there would be casualties when the Big 10 went hockey. Not enough people cared. I did. I was one of the biggest campaigners on this site that was anti-Big 10 Hockey. It happened anyway. Now the fallout begins. College hockey will lose more programs than it gains at the expense of Penn State who you cheer for it's expansion.

The overall health of college hockey isn't good business? As much as we'd like it to be, this isn't college football or basketball. Losing a program (or multiple) in college hockey is significant. For the price some of these larger programs would have to pay, I think the reward from the standpoint of the stability of the college game would be worthwhile.

If the price were too high or the impact on the health of the college game weren't significant, the Gophers probably wouldn't be giving up home games.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

Relating this all back to Georgia - If they did start a program, which conference would they join? Who would travel to play them? Would they face some of these same issues that schools like BSU and UAH have faced?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

The overall health of college hockey isn't good business? As much as we'd like it to be, this isn't college football or basketball. Losing a program (or multiple) in college hockey is significant. For the price some of these larger programs would have to pay, I think the reward from the standpoint of the stability of the college game would be worthwhile.

If the price were too high or the impact on the health of the college game weren't significant, the Gophers probably wouldn't be giving up home games.

Then you shouldn't be happy about Penn State. Cause I guarantee we're going to lose more programs then we gain based on the Big 10 now adding hockey.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Then you shouldn't be happy about Penn State. Cause I guarantee we're going to lose more programs then we gain based on the Big 10 now adding hockey.

Who said I am completely happy about Penn State? I like to see college hockey expanding, but it sucks to see the conference realignment that resulted. In a perfect world, I would have preferred to see them join the CCHA. Not excusing them for forcing the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference, but Wisconsin played a role in that too. And now Wisconsin is leaving their former conference mates high and dry so to speak.

I just think more than a few programs could have, and still could, do things differently that wouldn't have a big impact on their bottom line but would go a long way in maintaining the stability of the game long-term.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

Who said I am completely happy about Penn State? I like to see college hockey expanding, but it sucks to see the conference realignment that resulted. In a perfect world, I would have preferred to see them join the CCHA. Not excusing them for forcing the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference, but Wisconsin played a role in that too. And now Wisconsin is leaving their former conference mates high and dry so to speak.

I just think more than a few programs could have, and still could, do things differently that wouldn't have a big impact on their bottom line but would go a long way in maintaining the stability of the game long-term.

You're living in fantasy land.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

You're living in fantasy land.

You're living in fantasy land if you think college hockey is, or ever will be, a revenue sport in the same realm as college football or basketball.

How many D1 college football teams are there? How about D1 basketball? Now college hockey? Losing a college hockey program or two would be far more detrimental to business long-term than scheduling in a road game at a smaller school every four years or so ever would be. And you are certifiable if you disagree.

Or again, perhaps you should just go back to watching the T-Wolves, enjoy Watching Gopher hockey, but leave the serious discussion about the health of hockey in this country to people who actually care if small schools that don't bring you personal enjoyment fold. I mean, God forbid we maximize the opportunities kids have to play at the next level.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

I should've known that this would not be on-topic for long, although I didn't expect it to be what it is.

Anyway, the UAH guys played travel hockey in Atlanta. Neil Ruffini actually came straight from high school (one of two guys his age in that class; Matt Baxter was the other), while Kyle Lysaght (OJHL) and Craig Pierce (EJHL) played juniors for two years. [hockeyDB has Craig playing one year, but he played somewhere else the year before that, not that I remember where.]

There's a good travel program out of Atlanta, and our Thunder AAA plays them. It's sad that Atlanta doesn't have the hockey support per capita that Huntsville has. I'm hopeful, though.

GFM

 

[JDUBBS1280]

I should've known that this would not be on-topic for long, although I didn't expect it to be what it is.

Anyway, the UAH guys played travel hockey in Atlanta. Neil Ruffini actually came straight from high school (one of two guys his age in that class; Matt Baxter was the other), while Kyle Lysaght (OJHL) and Craig Pierce (EJHL) played juniors for two years. [hockeyDB has Craig playing one year, but he played somewhere else the year before that, not that I remember where.]

There's a good travel program out of Atlanta, and our Thunder AAA plays them. It's sad that Atlanta doesn't have the hockey support per capita that Huntsville has. I'm hopeful, though.

GFM

I tried bringing it back on topic to Georgia, and apologize for being the genesis of the topic shifting this far from that. I meant to show that with so few large programs willing to make concessions to travel to less established schools, it might be hard for Georgia (who will be as geographically isolated as Huntsville) to fill it's scnphedule.

If Georgia were to add a program, which conference would you anticipate it would try to join? Which programs do you think would travel to play there for OOC games?

 

[4four4]

Then you shouldn't be happy about Penn State. Cause I guarantee we're going to lose more programs then we gain based on the Big 10 now adding hockey.

Unless the Big Ten adds more teams to the original 6.

 

[UncleRay]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

So, Minnesota taxpayers are supposed to subsidize hockey programs? That makes more sense than all of the big programs in the area doing a little bit extra to make sure that those programs and college hockey in general (in which they have a vested interest) stay viable?

Dohkay

Yes, Minnesota taxpayers should subsidize their own programs. I know you think that is Wisconsin's responsibility, but thinking people disagree.

 

[slowe]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

I figured there was some thread jacking when I saw how many pages this one had...

On topic. It will be a long time I'm sure before Georgia builds up a D1 program. The original idea was that the team wanted to help show support to build a new community rink. It will help the ACHA team hopefully get a few more fans and hopefully get some more youth hockey players, that's about it. If by some miracle they were gifted a program, I couldn't even begin to guess which conference. NCHC due to it's a larger school or WCHA for the rivalry with Huntsville I guess. Question for another day.

Until then I hope the new rink goes through. Don't underestimate the importance it could have. A large majority of the SEC have hockey teams, even if ACHA. If you put those rinks on or near campus where students can watch, it can be a big thing for those teams. Rivalries and school pride kick in and people actually start to care. Plus as someone mentioned earlier, when there are so few rinks in an area, even one can make a big difference to the youth programs. I'm impressed enough already by their list of D1 players. More than I would have guessed.

It's too bad the Thrashers moved. Based on comments about their management I'm betting they never invested in youth hockey. What a wasted opportunity for growth.

 

[slowe]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

Oh, in relation the comments on larger schools looking out for little schools and playing nice with scheduling. I don't really see that happening. In the really unlikely event a school in Georgia started a D1 program, they would have to offset other schools' travel. Huntsville agreed to pay the difference from WCHA schools' most expensive trip. I assume George would have to do the same.

In my ideal long shot not gonna happen southern expansion plan, schools in Kentucky, Tennesee, and North Carolina go first. Kentucky is geographically close so not much of an issue. Tennessee and North Carolina are driveable and have NHL teams. While talent isn't overly abundant, there is some growth there plus demonstrated fan support.


As for right now, southern schools will stay non-varsity hockey. Maybe get a little bigger, a little more serious. Possibly depending on growth, get closer community ice rinks. But barring something weird, it they'll have to settle for any kind of hockey they can get let alone D1 hockey.

 

[4four4]

Why is it wrong? Sconnie will probably never play SCSU again in a none NCAA tourney game unless they drop the 2:1 demand and it's really not that big of a deal. If the fans from both sides really demanded it continue then the schools would make it happen like UND/UW are doing. I know Motzko would have liked to have played sconnie in the future, but he doesn't need to stoop to 2:1 when the Badgers are not a big draw in st. cloud and there really are not any recruits he wants from Wisconsin where being seen playing them would help. He agreed to the arrangement with the Gophers because it benefits our program. I heard he said he wouldn't do that with anybody program unless there was a benefit to do so.

This is 100% correct!

 

[5hole]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

Oh, in relation the comments on larger schools looking out for little schools and playing nice with scheduling. I don't really see that happening. In the really unlikely event a school in Georgia started a D1 program, they would have to offset other schools' travel. Huntsville agreed to pay the difference from WCHA schools' most expensive trip. I assume George would have to do the same.

In my ideal long shot not gonna happen southern expansion plan, schools in Kentucky, Tennesee, and North Carolina go first. Kentucky is geographically close so not much of an issue. Tennessee and North Carolina are driveable and have NHL teams. While talent isn't overly abundant, there is some growth there plus demonstrated fan support.


As for right now, southern schools will stay non-varsity hockey. Maybe get a little bigger, a little more serious. Possibly depending on growth, get closer community ice rinks. But barring something weird, it they'll have to settle for any kind of hockey they can get let alone D1 hockey.

A few years back, there was a fairly serious look at D1 by Kennesaw State (outside ATL) but that obviously tanked. Some suggested that it would be a great fit at Georgia State (I think maybe that it was Thrashers PBP Dan Kamal), did not happen. Personally, I doubt that there is the passion for it among any of the D1 schools here and I do not see it happening. There is plenty of hockey in the South - minor pro. Just as Minnie has NHL, college and high school, the South has NHL and minor pro. You don't see minor pro going into Minnie and I doubt you will see D1 trying it in the South any time soon (with apologies to my friends at UAH).

As for youth hockey here, it is growing quite well. We do need more ice ... I can think of 5 rinks around greater ATL - The Cooler, The Ice, Marietta Ice Center, Ice Forum x 2 (Duluth and, I think, Kennesaw). A lot of familiar names involved in coaching and running the programs - former Thrashers, Knights, and Gladiators. Thrashers were involved in a youth program run out of the Duluth Ice Forum (their practice ice) and the Gladiators actively promote youth hockey with several types of programs.

Now, Pink Pony - about that name ... ?? (Google "Pink Pony Georgia" )

 

[gfmorris]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

A few years back, there was a fairly serious look at D1 by Kennesaw State (outside ATL) but that obviously tanked. Some suggested that it would be a great fit at Georgia State (I think maybe that it was Thrashers PBP Dan Kamal), did not happen. Personally, I doubt that there is the passion for it among any of the D1 schools here and I do not see it happening. There is plenty of hockey in the South - minor pro. Just as Minnie has NHL, college and high school, the South has NHL and minor pro. You don't see minor pro going into Minnie and I doubt you will see D1 trying it in the South any time soon (with apologies to my friends at UAH).

Hey man, we were here before most every one of those guys.

If D-I happens down South — and it won't, and we're stubbornly keeping the dream alive — it happens with 2-3 teams going as a group, with donors. I could see Georgia and Georgia Tech both making the jump, but they'd pretty much need a Pegula situation to make that viable. The SECHC is an okay league, but most of those schools have home games a ways away from campus. Those young men are really doing it because they love the game, and I have all the respect in the world for them for doing it. Everyone around here has to really worry about Title IX responsibilities given the football situation. Adding a men's sport of hockey's size probably means add two women's sports of similar size, and the money factory that Nick Saban runs just isn't going to put money into hockey, even if he did help our efforts at UAH.

Kennesaw was our best hope, and I do believe that Sonny Perdue killed that one, eh, 5hole?

GFM <— hopes to see Niagara come to UAH again so 5hole will be back in our building.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

Unless the Big Ten adds more teams to the original 6.

Won't happen.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

Now, Pink Pony - about that name ... ?? (Google "Pink Pony Georgia" )

From a google review...

"A Ponderosa of **** and assess!!! The girls were nice and the place was popping off on a Wednesday!!!"

 

[slowe]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

Just a short article from Hockeyyall about Athens GA possibly adding a rink.

UGA on Verge of Ice Age in Athens? Group May Build Rink

An Athens-based group is considering building an ice rink in Athens, possibly near the UGA campus.

“[A rink] would be a dream come true for me and quite a number of people who have been part of the UGA hockey team for years — and for future Ice Dogs,” said John Hoos (Head Coach).

We’ve been absolutely blown away [by the response (of the survey)],” said Hoos. “Within 18 hours of posting the survey on-line, more than 1,000 individuals said they would buy season tickets, and that number continues to grow.”

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Hockey support in Georgia

That's just too bad if true. I think it's in the best interest long-term for schools like Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin to support the smaller schools they used to share a conference with. It would keep college hockey strong.

It would have been better for College Hockey if the Big Ten schools worked out a deal to stay in the CCHA, WCHA and get regular games between themselves, and also work out a deal that would have had OSU and PSU anchoring a new league with teams stretching from Ohio to Western New York to Huntsville. That would have done a whole lot more to support college hockey as a whole and would have left a whole lot more room for schools interested in starting up a NCAA D1 hockey program to find a conference home.