Niagara drops women's hockey!!

[ARM]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Letting student-athletes keep their equipment (that universities purchase) may fall under "special benefits" and therefore illegal.

This is true. There are definitely rules governing what the players may receive free of charge. I know in the past when players have chosen not to buy one of their game jerseys, the jersey has been donated to the booster club for auction. Of course it is possible that Niagara has chosen to go beyond any NCAA limitation.

 

[joxs]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Remember Niagara "contracted" the program effective that day of the announcement, therefore I would think the NCAA rules do not apply. There is no team to apply the rules to. It has just been a really raw deal for all the players and coaches since that day.

 

[WIrinkrat]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Remember Niagara "contracted" the program effective that day of the announcement, therefore I would think the NCAA rules do not apply. There is no team to apply the rules to. It has just been a really raw deal for all the players and coaches since that day.

They are still considered student athletes for the remainder of this school year as they have received benefits afforded athletes such as travel, meals, per-diem, etc, nevermind those who are still receving athletic scholarship for this term and potentially beyond if some decide to stay.

 

[ARM]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Remember Niagara "contracted" the program effective that day of the announcement, therefore I would think the NCAA rules do not apply. There is no team to apply the rules to. It has just been a really raw deal for all the players and coaches since that day.

Niagara still has an athletic department, so yes, I'd think that the rules still apply. Were they to break rules, sanctions might get tricky, given the NCAA could not impose penalties such as limiting scholarships or place the program under probation. Thus, I'd assume the institution as a whole would be sanctioned.

 

[Cali]

Any more news of players transferring? There was a rumour of a Sr going to RIT but I wasn't aware of any SRs that had red-shirted.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

How much money has to raised? If the administration won't say, then find out from other sources. Ask other schools how much they spend. Terry Pagula or another rich Sugar Daddy might need a tax writeoff, so maybe they'll donate the funds. Or alumni and boosters from the school can. But if these players have already been accepted at new schools, does that mean that even if the program is saved these students will be gone?

I just learned about all this from Angela Ruggerio sending out a message online and have been getting a crash course in what has happened. This seems like a pretty low-rent move by the administration at Niagara which will have ramifications beyond the small campus in upstate New York. Someone earlier in the thread described it as a "drip...drip...drip..." and that's exactly what it is. People better pay attention because the same thing has been happening on the Men's side and with the realignment it just might continue. Both Men's and Women's hockey needs to be nurtured to increase support and growth of our sport.

 

[LtPowers]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

This seems like a pretty low-rent move by the administration at Niagara which will have ramifications beyond the small campus in upstate New York.

Low-rent indeed. Bush league. Especially with a nice on-campus arena.


Powers &8^]

 

[NPEfan]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

This was released a few days ago by Niagara University ...

"To the Niagara University Students:

It is with great pleasure and sincere gratitude that I write to inform you that we have fulfilled – and exceeded – the promise that we made to our students and community in 2007!

A $2 million pledge that Niagara University recently received from the John R. Oishei Foundation allows us to surpass the ambitious $80 million goal that was set when we launched “The Promise of Niagara…The next 150 years.” Together, we are completing the single largest fundraising initiative in the 156-year history of the institution. For this, I offer you my personal thanks.

This has been an exciting and transformative period for Niagara University. By exceeding the $80 million mark, we have accomplished our goal of transforming Monteagle Ridge, both physically and programmatically. This work will significantly enhance the Catholic and Vincentian, values-based education that generations of students will receive at Niagara University.

While we are continuing to encourage gifts to this endeavor, we will soon begin planning events to celebrate the successful conclusion of this record-breaking capital campaign. Since your support has allowed us to advance Niagara’s tradition of excellence, I truly hope that you will be able to join us.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Joseph L. Levesque, C.M.
President "

Got their $80 million but couldn't put any towards athletics, in this case women's hockey. I know, I know, none of donations was probably intended to go to athletics in first place.

Couldn't help thinking that it is a good thing they got thier donations before they folded WIH program the way they did, or some would of had second thoughts I'm sure. Gotta love the line " we are continuing to encourage gifts"

 

[PurpleEagle4ever]

This was released a few days ago by Niagara University ...

"To the Niagara University Students:

It is with great pleasure and sincere gratitude that I write to inform you that we have fulfilled – and exceeded – the promise that we made to our students and community in 2007!

A $2 million pledge that Niagara University recently received from the John R. Oishei Foundation allows us to surpass the ambitious $80 million goal that was set when we launched “The Promise of Niagara…The next 150 years.” Together, we are completing the single largest fundraising initiative in the 156-year history of the institution. For this, I offer you my personal thanks.

This has been an exciting and transformative period for Niagara University. By exceeding the $80 million mark, we have accomplished our goal of transforming Monteagle Ridge, both physically and programmatically. This work will significantly enhance the Catholic and Vincentian, values-based education that generations of students will receive at Niagara University.

While we are continuing to encourage gifts to this endeavor, we will soon begin planning events to celebrate the successful conclusion of this record-breaking capital campaign. Since your support has allowed us to advance Niagara’s tradition of excellence, I truly hope that you will be able to join us.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Joseph L. Levesque, C.M.
President "

Got their $80 million but couldn't put any towards athletics, in this case women's hockey. I know, I know, none of donations was probably intended to go to athletics in first place.

Couldn't help thinking that it is a good thing they got thier donations before they folded WIH program the way they did, or some would of had second thoughts I'm sure. Gotta love the line " we are continuing to encourage gifts"

It's great the University is bringing in money for academics but makes me wonder couldn't they have moved money around to accommodate all? More students the better especially since they indicated admissions have fallen a bit...

 

[sbkbghockey]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

It's great the University is bringing in money for academics but makes me wonder couldn't they have moved money around to accommodate all? More students the better especially since they indicated admissions have fallen a bit...

Even if they couldn't allocate any of those donations toward athletics/hockey, the fact that they're getting donations and met their goals is encouraging. They should have done what other men's and women's programs have done: they should have considered reaching out to alumni, students and their families, boosters, local community, etc... and let people know that women's hockey was on a threshold then given it another season or two to see if they could reach a donation amount to secure the women's hockey program.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Even if they couldn't allocate any of those donations toward athletics/hockey, the fact that they're getting donations and met their goals is encouraging. They should have done what other men's and women's programs have done: they should have considered reaching out to alumni, students and their families, boosters, local community, etc... and let people know that women's hockey was on a threshold then given it another season or two to see if they could reach a donation amount to secure the women's hockey program.

The fact that they didn't do that -- that they just announced the program was dead and seem to be ignoring any attempts to save it -- indicates there is something more at work here. Is there friction between the program/coach and the administration, major donor to the school or something? This reeks of something political more than just a want of money. If it was about money, they'd be open to raising the funds because that would mean more money coming in the door. It sure seems like there's more here than meets the eye.

 

[PurpleEagle4ever]

The fact that they didn't do that -- that they just announced the program was dead and seem to be ignoring any attempts to save it -- indicates there is something more at work here. Is there friction between the program/coach and the administration, major donor to the school or something? This reeks of something political more than just a want of money. If it was about money, they'd be open to raising the funds because that would mean more money coming in the door. It sure seems like there's more here than meets the eye.

That's what is so puzzling to all of us. The only reason they have given any of us was financial. There are "other reasons" if which we can't figure out. With a rink on campus and a solid men's program it doesn't seem logical to give up without a fight! And given the comments from this in the community there's support out there. We are going to continue to get the word out and reach out to the media. You're right Priceless there's something more to this!

 

[ARM]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Is there friction between the program/coach and the administration, major donor to the school or something? This reeks of something political more than just a want of money. If it was about money, they'd be open to raising the funds because that would mean more money coming in the door. It sure seems like there's more here than meets the eye.

Considering the coach was only in place on an interim basis for a season after the previous coach left late in the offseason, I doubt it is anything he did. More likely is that somebody looked at the books, said this program loses money, is likely to continue losing money for the foreseeable future no matter what we do, and that person would rather spend the money elsewhere. If the one in power could care less about women's hockey, which unfortunately is a category that applies to most people, it seems fairly painless to say, "let's axe it." I'd say it is political only to the extent that there are always many projects looking for funding, and if a program like women's hockey lacks powerful allies, then it is vulnerable. Thus, no effort was made to save it, not because saving it was impossible, just not high on the priority list of some decision maker.

 

[PurpleEagle4ever]

Considering the coach was only in place on an interim basis for a season after the previous coach left late in the offseason, I doubt it is anything he did. More likely is that somebody looked at the books, said this program loses money, is likely to continue losing money for the foreseeable future no matter what we do, and that person would rather spend the money elsewhere. If the one in power could care less about women's hockey, which unfortunately is a category that applies to most people, it seems fairly painless to say, "let's axe it." I'd say it is political only to the extent that there are always many projects looking for funding, and if a program like women's hockey lacks powerful allies, then it is vulnerable. Thus, no effort was made to save it, not because saving it was impossible, just not high on the priority list of some decision maker.

You're right ARM, but they didn't really look beyond the room on this one. Its my understanding they are adding 4 full time coaches for Track and Field and Women's Lacrosse which I see to be overkill. I don't know of Many women's college lacrosse teams carrying 4 full time coaches!

 

[ARM]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

You're right ARM, but they didn't really look beyond the room on this one. Its my understanding they are adding 4 full time coaches for Track and Field and Women's Lacrosse which I see to be overkill. I don't know of Many women's college lacrosse teams carrying 4 full time coaches!

It was probably political in that sense. It doesn't take enemies to derail a program, just a lack of advocates when budget decisions are made. I'd imagine with a sport like hockey, there may be a lot of variance in how expenses for something link the arena, staff, and equipment show up on the program's books. If the accounting is slanted against hockey, it can look like an athletic department would save more money that will actually be the case in real dollars.

 

[Cali]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Considering the coach was only in place on an interim basis for a season after the previous coach left late in the offseason,

For the record, the coach did not "leave" although that was how it was worded in the press release. His real reason for "leaving" is quite sad and paints a very negative picture of the Athletics Department as a whole. The women's program was not endorsed by the AD and he played a large role in McKenzies's departure and the subsequent dropping of the program. In my opinion, if you want to look for a person to point a finger at, it is the AD.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

Considering the coach was only in place on an interim basis for a season after the previous coach left late in the offseason, I doubt it is anything he did. More likely is that somebody looked at the books, said this program loses money, is likely to continue losing money for the foreseeable future no matter what we do, and that person would rather spend the money elsewhere. If the one in power could care less about women's hockey, which unfortunately is a category that applies to most people, it seems fairly painless to say, "let's axe it." I'd say it is political only to the extent that there are always many projects looking for funding, and if a program like women's hockey lacks powerful allies, then it is vulnerable. Thus, no effort was made to save it, not because saving it was impossible, just not high on the priority list of some decision maker.

That's incredibly shortsighted for someone with so much authority. Even if women's ice hockey isn't high on their priority list, it is obviously high on other people's lists. Some of those people have the financial resources required to boost the program. Track and Field aren't exactly going to fill the coffers at the University either, plus there are significant startup costs. It seems that it would have been worthwhile to say they were going to have to drop hockey in favor of T+F if they can't raise X amount to save the program. If they can raise the money required, then you have a revenue neutral sport. If they are unable to raise the money, then go ahead with plans to go with T+F. Unless there is a financial backer for these T+F and lax teams we don't know about, they're going to lose money too. Maybe less money than hockey, but if the WIH program had donations, then you're going to lose MORE money. It doesn't make sense.

 

[PurpleEagle4ever]

For the record, the coach did not "leave" although that was how it was worded in the press release. His real reason for "leaving" is quite sad and paints a very negative picture of the Athletics Department as a whole. The women's program was not endorsed by the AD and he played a large role in McKenzies's departure and the subsequent dropping of the program. In my opinion, if you want to look for a person to point a finger at, it is the AD.

The University isn't making any allies with their Hockey Alum I can tell you that much! I had faith in every head coach the program had and Josh did an excellent job with the program this year!

 

[PurpleEagle4ever]

For the record, the coach did not "leave" although that was how it was worded in the press release. His real reason for "leaving" is quite sad and paints a very negative picture of the Athletics Department as a whole. The women's program was not endorsed by the AD and he played a large role in McKenzies's departure and the subsequent dropping of the program. In my opinion, if you want to look for a person to point a finger at, it is the AD.

The University isn't making any allies with their Hockey Alum I can tell you that much! I had faith in every head coach the program had and Josh did an excellent job with the program this year!

 

[Nosdravi]

Re: Niagara drops women's hockey!!

4 Kaleigh Chippy F So - MU
17 Erin Burns D Jr - UConn
19 Kristen Richards F So - RMU
31 Sarah Moses G So - UConn