Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

[WCHFan]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

I'm sure BSU will be fine. If they needed to. Couldn't they also join the new conference?


I would like to know about the Womens side. I see that PSU is joining the CHA does anyone see OSU doing the same and getting it to a 6 team conference? As far as recruiting I would think OSU would benefit staying in the WCHA. But as far as winning and less travel feel they would have an easier time in the CHA. If not OSU does anyone see another team joining the CHA?

 

[brookyone]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

I'm sure BSU will be fine. If they needed to. Couldn't they also join the new conference?


I would like to know about the Womens side. I see that PSU is joining the CHA does anyone see OSU doing the same and getting it to a 6 team conference? As far as recruiting I would think OSU would benefit staying in the WCHA. But as far as winning and less travel feel they would have an easier time in the CHA. If not OSU does anyone see another team joining the CHA?

I don't get the impression OSU wants to leave the WCHA for the CHA. Didn't they do that once...for about ten minutes? Even in light of Penn State joining the CHA it would surprise me if the Buckeyes made the move.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Agree with you that they shouldn't an probably wouldn't. Especially with talk that smaller schools maybe dropping programs. WCHA is a solid conference.

 

[Hux]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Betcha a Whoopie Pie that you will see them included in the new league because they have the new barn. Makes sense especially for NoDak and UMD since the travel to Bemidji is short/cheap and the league since you have two teams that will obviously draw well there.

 

[SCSU2039]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

More then likely the WCHA and CCHA breakups will initially have no effect. In the longer term it is possible that a lack or an increase of funds will have an effect on the women's game. Example Mankato being in the left over league as some are describing it may fold the men's program. If so could they justify keeping the women's? Similar thoughts surround St Cloud.

This is my concern and the only reason I think the Men's WCHA Breakup would cases problems for the women's WCHA. Its not out of the question that schools like Mankato and SCSU might fold hockey due to whats going on. Its worrisome to say the least.

 

[Hux]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

This is my concern and the only reason I think the Men's WCHA Breakup would cases problems for the women's WCHA. Its not out of the question that schools like Mankato and SCSU might fold hockey due to whats going on. Its worrisome to say the least.

They said the same things about the ECAC when BC, BU, UNH etc left to form Hockey East. The ECAC did just fine. The result will be new conferences, more auto-bids, and the likelihood of the "leftover" teams flourishing in their own league. Winning is a key ingredient in generating revenue, and that is far more likely in a new league than in the current WCHA for the left out teams.

 

[joehockey]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

I think the issue is BSU is a hard place to travel to it is remote with out a large airport - it does have commuter service from MSP.

 

[D2D]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

The program I really feel sorry for in all of this is Bemidji State. They build a new rink because they were promised by the WCHA that they could join, then the league dissolves around them. What a rip.

Update from Bemidji:

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100030013/

 

[Genbeau]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Minn St-Moorhead is conducting a news conference today at 1p. Should be interesting. W/ teams leaving the WCHA, that league might revisit this school's desire to field a D1 team. Will the school then bring on a womens' team, don't know. We'll see.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Penn State is joining the CHA; wouldn't it then just be Lindenwood that would join the CHA to create the autobid?

 

[giwan]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Minn St-Moorhead is conducting a news conference today at 1p. Should be interesting. W/ teams leaving the WCHA, that league might revisit this school's desire to field a D1 team. Will the school then bring on a womens' team, don't know. We'll see.

What are Title IX rules regarding NCAA DIV I?

 

[Hux]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

"Keep in mind we are looking at both Men's and Women's and both would be full scholarships." So sayeth the Moorhead President.

"You and I know that if you go out in the community, there are just as many women's fans in this area as there are men's fans" Moorhead AD

 

[giwan]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

WOW so they are adding both men's and women's hockey? WOW

 

[sideshowbob]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Penn State is joining the CHA; wouldn't it then just be Lindenwood that would join the CHA to create the autobid?

Wouldn't Sacred Heart make more sense geographically (unless they are expected to go to some other conference) among independent women's teams.

Also, I wouldn't be shocked to see Ohio State switch to the CHA. Depends on what their priorities are, but it would be less transportation costs and easier to compete/win.

 

[sd2011]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Penn State is joining the CHA; wouldn't it then just be Lindenwood that would join the CHA to create the autobid?

Surely the CHA can locate a team other than Lindenwood that is in the same time zone as all other teams.

OSU switch to CHA has been discussed on Lindenwood blog and makes the most sense.

RIT is a long ways off (years) and may never make it to D1 - but logistically they'd be a logical local choice for the CHA at some point.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

With thanks to D2D for alerting me to this article, the author contemplates just the kind of possible impact of the WCHA disintegration on the men's side...the plausible negative impact I think a few of us fans of the WCHA women fear most.

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20110717/SPORTS04/107170005/DeLand-column-Huskies-left-only-questions

» St. Cloud State’s women’s hockey program hemorrhages money. Without men’s hockey being able to float the boat, and with the general budget at the school so incredibly tight, how can SCSU afford to keep that program going?

...and I sure wouldn't / don't agree with anyone who reasons SCSU should be excluded from the NCHC! I'm very disappointed with the demise of the WCHA personally, but under the inevitable circumstances the NCHC would be a better fit for the Huskies IMO. I don't claim to be informed on any details of the realignment...maybe SCSU didn't lobby hard...or at all for inclusion in the NCHC. Maybe McLeod pushed hard to retain the Huskies in the new WCHA. If it was a decision to remain in the revamped WCHA by SCSU officials when / if the NCHC was an option...I'd call that a mistake...but it sounds more like they just weren't invited. I'd tend to agree with the author about a real possibility of less revenue for the only revenue generating sport at St. Cloud as a member of the future WCHA...and the stated possible consequences.

 

[LtPowers]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Surely the CHA can locate a team other than Lindenwood that is in the same time zone as all other teams.

There aren't any, really. RIT and Sacred Heart are the only Eastern Time Zone options, and one of them doesn't have a D-I program yet and the other seems content to be Independent and play a mostly D-III schedule. Well, and then there's OSU.

OSU switch to CHA has been discussed on Lindenwood blog and makes the most sense.

It may make sense (and I agree it does), but all indications are that OSU is quite happy in the WCHA; given that, why would they switch? Trade established women's powers Minny and Wisconsin for startups Penn State and Syracuse?


Powers &8^]

 

[RMUColonials]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

It may make sense (and I agree it does), but all indications are that OSU is quite happy in the WCHA; given that, why would they switch? Trade established women's powers Minny and Wisconsin for startups Penn State and Syracuse?
Powers &8^]

Not sure why that would really matter. It's not like UW or UM pack the house when they come to OSU, so what difference does it make whether they play those 2 teams or PSU/SU? If anything, it would give them a better chance at making the postseason and reduce their travel costs.

 

[sd2011]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Not sure why that would really matter. It's not like UW or UM pack the house when they come to OSU, so what difference does it make whether they play those 2 teams or PSU/SU? If anything, it would give them a better chance at making the postseason and reduce their travel costs.

Well said RMU. Totally agree.

Plus Syracuse appeared in the national rankings a few times last season. Coach Flanagan has been to the Frozen Four a few times with St. L and can do it again. Niagara is getting better as well with a few Syracuse transfers on their roster for 2011-12. Perennial powerhouse Mercyhurst is also a good team to play against if a team is looking to get nationally ranked - and OSU will get that chance 4 times in the CHA. Penn State will get kicked around a bit - but hey - the OSU players can pad their stats those 4 games.

Come on Buckeyes! Move over to the CHA and let's get this auto-bid party started!! (Having Nate at the helm (a veteran coach in the CHA) can only help make this move to CHA happen in 2012!

 

[brookyone]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

It's been said a few times before. Doesn't seem as though the Buckeyes are motivated by a prospect of easier competition likely translating to more wins, up 'til now. I s'pose now with an auto-bid at stake if they were to move they might give a move more serious consideration. Still don't think they're looking for an easier route to the NCAA tournament and they like being part of an always competitive WCHA.

BTW, new coach...I think this team plays more to their potential starting now.