Re: Minnesota State Applies to the NCHC
The CCHA was created as a regional conference that consisted of just one consistently top team and a couple up-and-down teams, ultimately proving MTU wasn't up to snuff for even that inferior talent level. The funny thing is that after Tech returned to the WCHA it proved even more inept than during its years in the CCHA. It also happened when SCSU was still playing DII, so what should we SCSU fans care about that?
By "regional conference," and "one consistently top team," you do realize that you're talking about central Ohio teams + St. Louis, Missouri, with St. Louis being the top team... right?
It started in 71-71 with tOSU, BGSU, St. Louis University, and Ohio University. Added Lake State in '72, and slowly gained Michigan based schools through the late '70's.
It was the '80's when Michigan Tech tagged along with Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, when UM, MSU, and ND decided that they wanted to play closer to home in the CCHA.
1984 Michigan Tech wanted back in the WCHA, and wanted to take NMU with to have a "local" rival.
NMU only moved back to the CCHA in 1997 because Rick Comley felt the CCHA was easier, and NMU was pressuring the hockey program to play more in-state schools where they could use the team as a general campus recruitment opportunity.
*edit*
To be honest, the switching of conferences don't bother me as it does to some people. The only thing I've ever hated was the backdoor dealings in the formation of the NCHC. The whole "Why Western?" act of desperation in not wanting to join the WCHA when openly invited also irks me when I think about it. Then I just remember that SCSU and WMU have a combined one NCAA tournament victory, and they were the keystone teams for the NCHC's inaugural season.