Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

[komey1]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I would love to see Utica take that potential AHA spot. It would be perfect in the geographical sense - right in central NY.

Not saying that having an established program like UAH take that potential spot, but I can (and have back when RIT played DIII) drive to Utica for road games.

 

[XCTiger]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Totally dreaming here, and I know there are a lot of obstacles, but if Mercyhurst goes to the CCHA, I'd love to see Utica step up to D1 like RIT did and join the AHA.
I'll let the people who live and breathe regulations tell me why it's a silly idea now...

Utica had their entire athletic program at DI for a number of years in the early 1980's. That was a move primarily for Basketball. The NCAA put so many mandates on them that they finally gave up and moved back down to D3 in the late 80's (1986 or 87 If I recall). That left such a bad taste in their mouths that I doubt that they'd try anything like that again. Even just with Mens & Womens Hockey. The administration has placed limits on recruiting for hockey. It wasn't so long ago that the motto at the Aud was "American players and Canadian Beer". There is a reason there has only been one Canadian on the roster the past few years. Of course now you can get Saranac and Labatts at the Aud.

Living in Utica, I'd love to see DI hockey at the Aud. I really don't see that happening though. My guess is that RIT is the last school to play up in one sport. I could see the NCAA banning that practice and requiring commitment to full DI or DII membership.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Niagara actually fits the CCHA footprint just as well since driving across Canada brings them closer to all the Michigan schools East Lansing and above. In addition flights from Buffalo are a lot easier and cheaper than from Erie. I would not be surprised if Mercyhurst would even use Buffalo to get to Alaska for those reasons as well. As far as the comments about Air Force being out of the AHA footprint remember that the reason for that is to be in with Army and possibly Navy in the future so don't be surprised if AHA goes to 11 and Navy becomes the 12th team. Quite possibly AFA also has their own planes that they can justify for training purposes.

Good points, but I think Mercyhurst fits better. They have the ability to have better facilities, IMO. Also where a team would fly out of is irrelevant in regards to who would take the 12th spot. Hate to say it but Penn St. is their first choice to take the 12th spot.

If a team from the AHA comes over, UAH would then take that spot no questions asked. Bringing in 3/4 of the CHA over would help with continuing some rivalries that were established. They won't kill one program to just let another move to D I. They want the growth of the sport so the first objective is to find a home for UAH and keep the program viable. Then you can start worrying about adding new programs like a navy or Utica like some have mentioned.

 

[4four4]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Mercyhurst is a much better fit than Huntsville.

Get it done Anastos!

MSU-Morehead is a better fit than both of the schools you mentioned.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

MSU-Morehead is a better fit than both of the schools you mentioned.

lol your kidding me right??

 

[mcfarljd]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

He probably means Morehead in Kentucky, which yes 4four4, that would be an even greater fit geographically.

 

[state of hockey]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

He probably means Morehead in Kentucky, which yes 4four4, that would be an even greater fit geographically.

No, he means the Minnesota State University, Moorhead Dragons.

And I am pretty sure he was kidding. Well, I hope he was anyway.

 

[thebrain]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

It's Minnesota State University Moorhead. No commas, semi-colons, or hyphens. But that name may change again as the president recently suggested changing it to, Moorhead State University Minnesota....

 

[Goon]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

This was brought up at the Miami thread some time ago.

I personally like this idea and think it fits better for the league to have Mercyhurst on board rather than UAH. Mercyhurst is more ready now to compete than UAH and I think the benefit in the long run would be the same for both teams...

Redhawkman10 what are you basing that comment on what? You know that both UAH and BSU took it to the top team in the AHA Air Force Acad right? How would Mercyhurst be a better team, if anything they are weaker.

 

[RITTechie]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I would love to see Utica take that potential AHA spot. It would be perfect in the geographical sense - right in central NY.

Not saying that having an established program like UAH take that potential spot, but I can (and have back when RIT played DIII) drive to Utica for road games.

Pshaw. Huntsville is only a quick 15-hour drive down the thruway, I-71 and I-65, through 6 states and one time zone. I'm starting to question your commitment, Komey.

 

[komey1]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I won't even drive to Erie.

And looking at the attendance figures for the RIT series, there is no way that the CCHA will take them.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Redhawkman10 what are you basing that comment on what? You know that both UAH and BSU took it to the top team in the AHA Air Force Acad right? How would Mercyhurst be a better team, if anything they are weaker.

Yea I know, but UAH also got swept by Western Michigan so take it for what its worth.

IMO mercyhurst is an improving program, and was looking at all angles not just the product on the ice. With their proximity to other CCHA schools and being in a city that could support a bigger program in Erie.

I know UAH has a historic tradition and may draw better with bigger names, but the same effect would happen at Mercyhurst and its in a more hockey friendly area. All just my opinion, I just feel they would fit better.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

I won't even drive to Erie.

And looking at the attendance figures for the RIT series, there is no way that the CCHA will take them.

hate to say it but RIT isn't really a team that will drag the fans in. If they had a Michigan or Michigan st. or Notre Dame I gurantee they draw better.

 

[kingdobbs]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Bottom line, UAH fans have been saying that AH had told them they didn't meet the geographical footprint, like Air Force is just right down the road from the AH schools.

That's old news. Like 1998 old. Like, when the league was still the MAAC, and way more concerned with cost containment than now.

 

[Patman]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Good points, but I think Mercyhurst fits better. They have the ability to have better facilities, IMO.

Why do you say that? UAH has a 6600 seat rink NOW.

Also where a team would fly out of is irrelevant in regards to who would take the 12th spot. Hate to say it but Penn St. is their first choice to take the 12th spot.

What about Texas?

If a team from the AHA comes over, UAH would then take that spot no questions asked.

Cute rationalization... it won't happen.

Bringing in 3/4 of the CHA over would help with continuing some rivalries that were established.

Another cute rationalization

They won't kill one program to just let another move to D I. They want the growth of the sport so the first objective is to find a home for UAH and keep the program viable. Then you can start worrying about adding new programs like a navy or Utica like some have mentioned.

You do realize that the Utica idea is one man's daydream, right?

 

[komey1]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

hate to say it but RIT isn't really a team that will drag the fans in. If they had a Michigan or Michigan st. or Notre Dame I gurantee they draw better.

Maybe not - but that still is a pathetic attendance figure - and it IS a conference game. Sure those teams would draw better, but what about the games against more comperable teams such as Bowling Green and Western Michigan.

Not to mention but RIT usually has 300 in their arena 45 minutes before faceoff.

 

[MICZamboni]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Maybe not - but that still is a pathetic attendance figure - and it IS a conference game. Sure those teams would draw better, but what about the games against more comperable teams such as Bowling Green and Western Michigan.

Not to mention but RIT usually has 300 in their arena 45 minutes before faceoff.

Erie does have a rink that can hold around 6000 and it was in use last night when the Erie Otters where playing the Windsor Spitfires. A pre game tribute to Mike Liambas brought most of the hockey fans to downtown rather than the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Now I know that is the excuse this time and I won't pretend to think that MC brings in 4500 fans for hockey games but Redhawk is right, teams like RIT, AIC, Bentley and the such aren't exactly teams fans from Erie want to come watch. This city's hockey teams have great media coverage and I think if they move to the CCHA it will get even better. Probably a scheduling nightmare but who knows, maybe they would have to play some afternoon games. When they would play non-conference games against teams like RIT, they could switch it back to the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

This was brought up at the Miami thread some time ago.

I personally like this idea and think it fits better for the league to have Mercyhurst on board rather than UAH. Mercyhurst is more ready now to compete than UAH and I think the benefit in the long run would be the same for both teams.

The two questions we had over there and I think are viable is/are Mercyhurst would have to increase their scholarship amount to compete in the CCHA, are the ready/able to do so?

Also they would need a better facility. Would they be willing to build a new ice arena and/or is it possible to share a facility with the Erie Otters?

The close proximity to majority of the CCHA schools is what makes it appealing, plus they are an improving program in an area in which they can recruit well.

Well, MC administration would be used to the travel, as it wasn't that long ago that the rest of the Lakers athletic program was in the GLIAC and made pretty regular trips to Northern, LSSU, and Ferris State. However, lets look at the facts here guys. They're a small private school without a whole lot of athletic presteage. Hell, they don't even issue tickets out to people who come to their football games. Thats just ****-poor administration right there, not really giving a ****. I don't see it, and if it ever did come to pass, MC will probably consider it a good year if they can finish 10th or beater in the CCHA.

 

[MICZamboni]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Hell, they don't even issue tickets out to people who come to their football games. Thats just ****-poor administration right there, not really giving a ****.

You have brought this up before a couple years ago and not sure what exactly your issue is with this. Get over it!!! You know nothing about the administration at MC.

 

[cplinford]

Re: Mercyhurst to the CCHA?

Now I know that is the excuse this time and I won't pretend to think that MC brings in 4500 fans for hockey games but Redhawk is right, teams like RIT, AIC, Bentley and the such aren't exactly teams fans from Erie want to come watch.

Maybe they don't want to see Mercyhurst play since they have a 2-5-1 record in conference play against those "programs no one wants to see play"