New WCHA is dead

[AMC]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why the burden of having both Alaska schools and an Alabama program that hasn't had a pulse in over a decade falls on these seven schools. Just because every other program in college hockey called "NOT IT!" first, they escape blame and/or responsibility?

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I'm sorry but it's likely that next year will be the last year for them and possibly for UAA also. I think UA will find a home somewhere.
I think this whole thing stinks. And I'm totally disgusted by the antics of our joint AD's.
If you go back about 1.5 years you get to watch a video of the ASU AD who was/ is this arrogant jerk who thinks the world revolves around him. Maybe it rubs off.

I'm not sure what you expect? I understand the frustration, but Michigan Tech and the rest need to worry about their own well being. If they can't sustain in the current situation, there is no reason to stay. UAH and UAA have consistently been bottom ten in PWR. Playing those teams at least 6 times a year does nothing but hurt the chances of multiple WCHA teams making the tournament. You've heard Joe talk about recruiting struggles in the current situation, losing players to better leagues. This should help that situation, not to mention other aspects of all of this.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why the burden of having both Alaska schools and an Alabama program that hasn't had a pulse in over a decade falls on these seven schools. Just because every other program in college hockey called "NOT IT!" first, they escape blame and/or responsibility?

How about all the Western teams in one league? The Alaskas, Denver, CC, ASU, Omaha, St, Clouud, ND? Not elite enough for the NaCHos? Will trade Miami and Western for Mankato and Bemidji. Who, I would hope, kick NaCHo ^ss.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: New WCHA is dead

How about all the Western teams in one league? The Alaskas, Denver, CC, ASU, Omaha, St, Clouud, ND? Not elite enough for the NaCHos? Will trade Miami and Western for Mankato and Bemidji. Who, I would hope, kick NaCHo ^ss.

I think Chris Dilks was right back in 2017. The answer is let North Dakota into the Big Ten like they've allowed Notre Dame. That removes the cash cow from the NCHC and allows them to restructure in a more suitable way, geographically

 

[huskyfan]

Re: New WCHA is dead

What a bunch of BS:

“After extensive discussion and significant due diligence, it made sense to everyone involved to move in this direction. The name conveys the current geographic alignment of our members and the CCHA brand has a tremendous amount of equity and goodwill associated with it. What’s old is new again and we look forward to refreshing the brand and identity to fully capture the energy and passion of the institutions it represents.”

What's old is old again.

 

[aparch]

...but Michigan Tech and the rest need to worry about their own well being. ...

Careful, talk like that isn't accepted by a few around here.

I was chastised on this board for this line of thinking when I supported the CCHA staying at 11 teams after the WCHA poached UNO. I was told that maybe my university, which silently was struggling with their budget issues, along with the other CCHA schools at that time should get themselves straightened out *while* accepting UAH.

For the good of the sport, I was told.

Then the NCHC broke away from the WCHA.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: New WCHA is dead

Careful, talk like that isn't accepted by a few around here.

I was chastised on this board for this line of thinking when I supported the CCHA staying at 11 teams after the WCHA poached UNO. I was told that maybe my university, which silently was struggling with their budget issues, along with the other CCHA schools at that time should get themselves straightened out *while* accepting UAH.

For the good of the sport, I was told.

Then the NCHC broke away from the WCHA.

Look, I want all these teams to survive but putting this burden on 6 Division II schools and BGSU isn't the way to do it. I really appreciated the fact that Michigan Tech and the rest of the "WCHA" which included NMU at the time accepted all the leftovers from the CCHA to form what we had but its not working. I think there is a difference between helping these programs and hurting themselves. We need to accept the fact that it wasn't really working both on and off the ice. Alaska is obviously doing great this year but their facility situation is troubling. My biggest question in all of this is how FSU gets to ride along. That feels like it has something to do with being BGSU's closest opponent and the GLIAC relationship because beyond that I don't see it with that facility.

 

[MTUHuskies]

Re: New WCHA is dead

Look, I want all these teams to survive but putting this burden on 6 Division II schools and BGSU isn't the way to do it. I really appreciated the fact that Michigan Tech and the rest of the "WCHA" which included NMU at the time accepted all the leftovers from the CCHA to form what we had but its not working. I think there is a difference between helping these programs and hurting themselves. We need to accept the fact that it wasn't really working both on and off the ice. Alaska is obviously doing great this year but their facility situation is troubling. My biggest question in all of this is how FSU gets to ride along. That feels like it has something to do with being BGSU's closest opponent and the GLIAC relationship because beyond that I don't see it with that facility.

FSU has had a tough go on ice the last couple years but when the nWCHA formed they were one of the stronger teams in the group. It's a lot easier to overlook subpar facilities when the on-ice product raises the tide of the league overall.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[AMC]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I would also like someone to answer whether the money that is lining consulting firms' pockets from the NHL and College Hockey Inc. for them to put out these feasibility studies for schools that will NEVER add hockey would be better spent on trying to keep the schools we do have afloat.

But then all these college sports consulting firms wouldn't get to make their six figures with nothing ever happening.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: New WCHA is dead

FSU has had a tough go on ice the last couple years but when the nWCHA formed they were one of the stronger teams in the group. It's a lot easier to overlook subpar facilities when the on-ice product raises the tide of the league overall.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

They have fallen off the further removed they are from commitments while they were in the CCHA.

 

[MTUHuskies]

Re: New WCHA is dead

They have fallen off the further removed they are from commitments while they were in the CCHA.

I would guess their recruiting took a big hit going from the CCHA where they had 3 B1Gs and natural rival Western and traded them for two MN teams, UAH & UAA. Even Tech probably isn't a favourite trip for them. Throw in their facilities and it's a tough sell.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[UAHStatman]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I think Chris Dilks was right back in 2017. The answer is let North Dakota into the Big Ten like they've allowed Notre Dame. That removes the cash cow from the NCHC and allows them to restructure in a more suitable way, geographically

It was 2016 and yep:
https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/20...ey-realignment-big-ten-nchc-wcha-north-dakota

 

[Sugarisland]

Re: New WCHA is dead

Did this week promised news on the new league come out yet?

I would welcome St. Thomas. But I'd still like to keep Huntsville. Love going to games there - nice arena - nice fans - great town - good food - historic - scenic.

We northern boys also love having breakfast at Waffle House. On my last trip there, it was October so we played golf. Dreamland Barbeque was also a winner.

 

[The Sicatoka]

Re: New WCHA is dead

Let's take a step further back:

Why does TeamX of the CCHA7 have to sponsor 14 (FCS) or 16 (FBS) sports to be Division I?

What would be wrong with schools picking the sports their fan bases are interested in and just supporting those?

I put part of this problem at the feet of the NCAA and it's divisional rules.

You shouldn't have to have rowing and bowling and softball and tennis when all your fans want to see is hockey and hoop.

 

[The Sicatoka]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I think Chris Dilks was right back in 2017. The answer is let North Dakota into the Big Ten like they've allowed Notre Dame. That removes the cash cow from the NCHC and allows them to restructure in a more suitable way, geographically

I agree with Dilks (and now I need a shower).

I believe the problem was money (I hope nobody is surprised): Would UND get a cut of BTN revenues? What about UND's regional television deal with Midco Sports Network? How about gates?

Then toss in that B1G elitist attitude: North Dakota? Puh-leese. What do they have*?


*Just a Med School with two-way physician training agreements with Mayo Clinic; a law school; a premier worldwide aviation school; a world recognized energy and environment research center; engineering; business; 120 graduate degree options; a Carnegie "Doctoral Universities – High research activity" university; top athletic facilities including REA, a domed football stadium, and a domed practice field (football) with a 300M indoor track.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I'm not sure what you expect? I understand the frustration, but Michigan Tech and the rest need to worry about their own well being. If they can't sustain in the current situation, there is no reason to stay. UAH and UAA have consistently been bottom ten in PWR. Playing those teams at least 6 times a year does nothing but hurt the chances of multiple WCHA teams making the tournament. You've heard Joe talk about recruiting struggles in the current situation, losing players to better leagues. This should help that situation, not to mention other aspects of all of this.

I understand the problem, but I think there has to be a better solution than going off and in the middle of the night stabbing these other programs in the back.
Second, FSU and LSSU to a lesser extent, HAVE to spend more money or we will still struggle to get all those things you discuss going forward.. We in the UP need those teams to be in existence and we need them to be committed to success. No one wants to travel to Houghton or Marquette and the Soo isn't much better. The Minnesota teams don't want to and neither does The lower Michigan teams.
I don't have a magic wand, but FSU, in particular, has to step up. Also, Lawson arena is just as bad as FSU.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: New WCHA is dead

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why the burden of having both Alaska schools and an Alabama program that hasn't had a pulse in over a decade falls on these seven schools. Just because every other program in college hockey called "NOT IT!" first, they escape blame and/or responsibility?

That's why I love it when B1G and NCHC fans pop into these threads to inform us we're scum for leaving UA_, UAA, and UAH behind, when they did the exact same thing.

 

[lakersparty]

I understand the problem, but I think there has to be a better solution than going off and in the middle of the night stabbing these other programs in the back.
Second, FSU and LSSU to a lesser extent, HAVE to spend more money or we will still struggle to get all those things you discuss going forward.. We in the UP need those teams to be in existence and we need them to be committed to success. No one wants to travel to Houghton or Marquette and the Soo isn't much better. The Minnesota teams don't want to and neither does The lower Michigan teams.
I don't have a magic wand, but FSU, in particular, has to step up. Also, Lawson arena is just as bad as FSU.

I like what LSSU is doing trying to reach out to the larger Canadian Soo. I hope that has dividends going forward.

 

[SiouxFanatic]

Re: New WCHA is dead

That's why I love it when B1G and NCHC fans pop into these threads to inform us we're scum for leaving UA_, UAA, and UAH behind, when they did the exact same thing.

I haven't seen any of that. It's more of a "Welcome to the club, Tech fans! Here's soap to wash the blood off your hands."

 

[Alaska Hockey]

Re: New WCHA is dead

That's why I love it when B1G and NCHC fans pop into these threads to inform us we're scum for leaving UA_, UAA, and UAH behind, when they did the exact same thing.

You are both Right......You are all scum.