Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
Starbucks guy Howard Schultz makes nice donations to the university already.
Starbucks guy Howard Schultz makes nice donations to the university already.
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NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
- Thread starter NMUFAN
- Start date
tmoney@nmu
The Tom Brown
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
I assume these pucks are going to be sent to the hockey deprived children of Africa much like this year's "Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champions" T-shirts?
I assume these pucks are going to be sent to the hockey deprived children of Africa much like this year's "Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champions" T-shirts?
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
You know, how quaint and provincial that the three UP schools "have" to play each other 4 times a year. Certainly it helps with the travel budgets, but I wish that NMU would get over this idea of getting fair 2 for 2 deals from the "big" schools. Who cares if NMU has to go on the road to play non-con games with whoever might let the 'cats into their barn without the 'cats being reciprocated. They need to be playing "real" non-con games with whoever they can, whenever they can, in order to get road experience against non-con schools. Maybe if we beat those "big" schools in their own barns they might consider coming to Marquette for some reprisal. At least NMU would have a little leverage then. Of course, I don't know how these things work and I'm just spouting off.
The 'cats were in Duluth and Happy Valley this past season, are UMD and Penn State both coming to Marquette this next season? The 'cats played at NoDak in the 2013-2014 season: Is this an example of a "big" program not reciprocating? Or, is NoDak planning a trip to MQT?
I know the 'cats will play at the GLI this next season, but they should be playing the downstate schools like UoM, Sparty and WMU on an annual basis--reciprocation or not. This would help to instill a following of the downstate alumni. There were no downstate games this past season--unless you call Bowling Green downstate and that's in Ohio.
You know, how quaint and provincial that the three UP schools "have" to play each other 4 times a year. Certainly it helps with the travel budgets, but I wish that NMU would get over this idea of getting fair 2 for 2 deals from the "big" schools. Who cares if NMU has to go on the road to play non-con games with whoever might let the 'cats into their barn without the 'cats being reciprocated. They need to be playing "real" non-con games with whoever they can, whenever they can, in order to get road experience against non-con schools. Maybe if we beat those "big" schools in their own barns they might consider coming to Marquette for some reprisal. At least NMU would have a little leverage then. Of course, I don't know how these things work and I'm just spouting off.
The 'cats were in Duluth and Happy Valley this past season, are UMD and Penn State both coming to Marquette this next season? The 'cats played at NoDak in the 2013-2014 season: Is this an example of a "big" program not reciprocating? Or, is NoDak planning a trip to MQT?
I know the 'cats will play at the GLI this next season, but they should be playing the downstate schools like UoM, Sparty and WMU on an annual basis--reciprocation or not. This would help to instill a following of the downstate alumni. There were no downstate games this past season--unless you call Bowling Green downstate and that's in Ohio.
aparch
Well-known member
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
The big schools are looking to either do 1-off visits where they pay schools like NMU, LSSU, etc. to visit, play the role of Washington Generals to the home school's Globetrotters, take their parting gift check and go home. Or, they're asking for 2-for-1, or even 3-for-1 is they're ballsy where the big school only needs to go to Podunk UP school once for every two or three trips to the big school. TtThe NMU series versus NoDak two years ago was a 1-off check series scheduled long before NoDak decided they hated UAA and MTU and wanted to form the NCHC.
Schools that do accept 1-off or 2-for-1's lose those home games. This reduces the income a school gets for home dates. Say the Cats accept UM, MSU, and NoDak as 2-for-1. They now lost a potential six home dates. From 18 games to just 12. To earn the same revenue.
Non-conference games are at a premium for the WCHA. A 28 game conference schedule leaves room for just six non-conference weekends (eight with an Alaska trip exemption, 10 with both Alaska trip exemptions).
The NCHC and B1G have more non-conference dates available due to lesser conference schedules. Part of the reason why the NCHC fielded six teams in the NCAA's was because of their Non-Con scheduling.
From what I've seen from former Mining Journal editor Matt Wellens (he's working in Duluth now), tUMD will be making a reciprocal visit to Marquette this fall.
I'd like to see NMU play UM amd MSU, but I disagree with their demand of 2 or 3 for-1's.
I'd like to see WMU and Notre Dame added to the schedule (mostly selfish reasons to make a short road trip) bit again, it's tough to schedule them when they have open dates, and WCHA schools have limited non-con dates.
One solution is to reduce league games, but that won't fix the 2-for-1 demands.
The big schools are looking to either do 1-off visits where they pay schools like NMU, LSSU, etc. to visit, play the role of Washington Generals to the home school's Globetrotters, take their parting gift check and go home. Or, they're asking for 2-for-1, or even 3-for-1 is they're ballsy where the big school only needs to go to Podunk UP school once for every two or three trips to the big school. TtThe NMU series versus NoDak two years ago was a 1-off check series scheduled long before NoDak decided they hated UAA and MTU and wanted to form the NCHC.
Schools that do accept 1-off or 2-for-1's lose those home games. This reduces the income a school gets for home dates. Say the Cats accept UM, MSU, and NoDak as 2-for-1. They now lost a potential six home dates. From 18 games to just 12. To earn the same revenue.
Non-conference games are at a premium for the WCHA. A 28 game conference schedule leaves room for just six non-conference weekends (eight with an Alaska trip exemption, 10 with both Alaska trip exemptions).
The NCHC and B1G have more non-conference dates available due to lesser conference schedules. Part of the reason why the NCHC fielded six teams in the NCAA's was because of their Non-Con scheduling.
From what I've seen from former Mining Journal editor Matt Wellens (he's working in Duluth now), tUMD will be making a reciprocal visit to Marquette this fall.
I'd like to see NMU play UM amd MSU, but I disagree with their demand of 2 or 3 for-1's.
I'd like to see WMU and Notre Dame added to the schedule (mostly selfish reasons to make a short road trip) bit again, it's tough to schedule them when they have open dates, and WCHA schools have limited non-con dates.
One solution is to reduce league games, but that won't fix the 2-for-1 demands.
Biddco
Follow me on Twitter: @Biddco
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
I think I saw somewhere that this series will be in early February sometime.
I think I saw somewhere that this series will be in early February sometime.
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
Thanks for the explanation.
1. I watched a few games online this year, and other than the Tech games I don't see much revenue being generated by the empty seats at the BEC.
2. If non-con games are at such a premium in the WCHA, why schedule non-cons with your friendly cross-UP conference foe just to fulfill some meaningless Cappo Cup? Does NMU have such a bad relationship with UoM, Sparty, WMU, the Irish and others from the days when NMU was in the old WCHA that they can't get some fair deals with those schools? If NMU does not get more high profile non-con games they are going to continue to fall in SOS as they have over the past two seasons while in the nWCHA.
3. If the NCHC and the B1G have all the open dates, doesn't NMU have any friends other than Wisconsin (and they don't even go to MQT) and Duluth to schedule with for some variety and experience?
4a & b. The scheduling of these teams should really be a no-brainer. As a downstate alum, I want to be able to travel to NMU games that are reasonably close and not just limited to Ferris State once a year or not at all like this year.
Thanks for the explanation.
1. I watched a few games online this year, and other than the Tech games I don't see much revenue being generated by the empty seats at the BEC.
2. If non-con games are at such a premium in the WCHA, why schedule non-cons with your friendly cross-UP conference foe just to fulfill some meaningless Cappo Cup? Does NMU have such a bad relationship with UoM, Sparty, WMU, the Irish and others from the days when NMU was in the old WCHA that they can't get some fair deals with those schools? If NMU does not get more high profile non-con games they are going to continue to fall in SOS as they have over the past two seasons while in the nWCHA.
3. If the NCHC and the B1G have all the open dates, doesn't NMU have any friends other than Wisconsin (and they don't even go to MQT) and Duluth to schedule with for some variety and experience?
4a & b. The scheduling of these teams should really be a no-brainer. As a downstate alum, I want to be able to travel to NMU games that are reasonably close and not just limited to Ferris State once a year or not at all like this year.
Penn St and NoDak were one off series and those schools paid NMU to come. UMD will be at NMU next year. Why should NMU go to Ann Arbor or East Lansing the extra trip on their own dime? If you get caught in too many 2 for 1 arrangements, you end up with no non conference home games. Season ticket holders want home games. When you have 3 or 4 non conference series per season, you want some at home.
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aparch
Well-known member
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
Fair point. But, again hypothetically, say NMU schedules UMich, MSU, WMU, and Notre Dame as non-conference opponents for four different weekends, all agree to one off "here's your check" weekends. Those checks would likely cover just the travel / expenses for the team for the weekend. NMU loses out on revenue for eight home games. Sure they wouldn't have lost money traveling, but they don't get any money from opening the BEC. Maybe an argument could be made that other events could be booked for the BEC those weekends, but honestly, how often does the BEC get booked for other events? Does NAE bring bands/comedians to the BEC still? I would think the New Hedgecock Concert Hall or Roberts Theater would be more conductive to some of those acts.
I see both sides of it, but booking a home hockey game would be flat out easier.
). So they're willing to toss around 2-for-1's or 3-for-1's knowing that some school like American International is willing to fly to Ann Arbor, get their a** kicked on the Big Ten Network, collect their check, and fly home.
MTU has the GLi, which lately is including a fourth Michigan team in an effort to appease people. Setting up a potential Minnesota Cup type tournament might be a good way to utilize some non-conference dates AND maintain the lower Michigan relationship. This way too, the date would be known long in advance for fans traveling to make plans (everyone knows when the GLi is). Since MTU already participates in the GLi with Michigan and State, maybe make it LSSU, NMU, FSU, WMU, Michigan, MSU. Someone could help work out the logistics, but there is probably an easy way to make it semi-balanced.
Ha!
Fair point. But, again hypothetically, say NMU schedules UMich, MSU, WMU, and Notre Dame as non-conference opponents for four different weekends, all agree to one off "here's your check" weekends. Those checks would likely cover just the travel / expenses for the team for the weekend. NMU loses out on revenue for eight home games. Sure they wouldn't have lost money traveling, but they don't get any money from opening the BEC. Maybe an argument could be made that other events could be booked for the BEC those weekends, but honestly, how often does the BEC get booked for other events? Does NAE bring bands/comedians to the BEC still? I would think the New Hedgecock Concert Hall or Roberts Theater would be more conductive to some of those acts. I see both sides of it, but booking a home hockey game would be flat out easier.
I wouldn't say Walt pi**ed them off, it's just that for Red Berenson to have his team pack up a van with the equipment, charter a flight to the UP, expense a hotel for his team... he might as well just stay home and schedule some other school willing to fly to Ann Arbor. Scheduling NMU doesn't benefit Michigan (well, it might have helped their PWR this season...
). So they're willing to toss around 2-for-1's or 3-for-1's knowing that some school like American International is willing to fly to Ann Arbor, get their a** kicked on the Big Ten Network, collect their check, and fly home. Ehhhhh... Here's where it gets a little tricky. Scheduling agreements are done years in advance, and with the league changes, that left very few dance partners for the last two seasons. I think once more of the dust settles, there is potential for NMU to get agreements put together for some old CCHA teammates. UNO and WMU would be nice.
Absolutely. And part of the reason that NMU clung to the CCHA until the end was that the University used the hockey program as a recruiting tool and alumni outreach tool. Very easy to schedule get togethers for alumni and for prospective students when you have a marketing tool playing against "the big bad B1G schools" like they used to in the CCHA.
MTU has the GLi, which lately is including a fourth Michigan team in an effort to appease people. Setting up a potential Minnesota Cup type tournament might be a good way to utilize some non-conference dates AND maintain the lower Michigan relationship. This way too, the date would be known long in advance for fans traveling to make plans (everyone knows when the GLi is). Since MTU already participates in the GLi with Michigan and State, maybe make it LSSU, NMU, FSU, WMU, Michigan, MSU. Someone could help work out the logistics, but there is probably an easy way to make it semi-balanced.
NMU does have a future series with Omaha. Fair trade. One weekend in Marquette, one weekend in Omaha..Ha!
I see both sides of it, but booking a home hockey game would be flat out easier.
I wouldn't say Walt pi**ed them off, it's just that for Red Berenson to have his team pack up a van with the equipment, charter a flight to the UP, expense a hotel for his team... he might as well just stay home and schedule some other school willing to fly to Ann Arbor. Scheduling NMU doesn't benefit Michigan (well, it might have helped their PWR this season...
Ehhhhh... Here's where it gets a little tricky. Scheduling agreements are done years in advance, and with the league changes, that left very few dance partners for the last two seasons. I think once more of the dust settles, there is potential for NMU to get agreements put together for some old CCHA teammates. UNO and WMU would be nice.
Absolutely. And part of the reason that NMU clung to the CCHA until the end was that the University used the hockey program as a recruiting tool and alumni outreach tool. Very easy to schedule get togethers for alumni and for prospective students when you have a marketing tool playing against "the big bad B1G schools" like they used to in the CCHA.
MTU has the GLi, which lately is including a fourth Michigan team in an effort to appease people. Setting up a potential Minnesota Cup type tournament might be a good way to utilize some non-conference dates AND maintain the lower Michigan relationship. This way too, the date would be known long in advance for fans traveling to make plans (everyone knows when the GLi is). Since MTU already participates in the GLi with Michigan and State, maybe make it LSSU, NMU, FSU, WMU, Michigan, MSU. Someone could help work out the logistics, but there is probably an easy way to make it semi-balanced.
aparch
Well-known member
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
Yes, I'm re-quoting this line because I have a thought regarding this.
What isn't seen most of the time is that there are a TON of people standing on the concourse during the game. These people have obviously bought seats but don't sit in them. It's been happening for at least 15 years, and goes back to the Lakeview Arena days where they had the overhang and behind the net area that people could stand and watch the game from.
Maybe there needs to be some renovation to the Berry Events Center to add standing room areas. Take out the last two/three rows of two or three south sections and turn it into standing room only. Take out the back few rows in the Southeast or Southwest corner and create a club/party deck area where you can stand and watch the game.
The other thing that I've typed repeatedly is that the University needs to spend a couple of bucks to try and make a few bucks. Get some camo or orange baseball hats (or have Gander Mountain's corporate office donate a few), stitch the Wildcat logo on 'em, and give 500 away during a November home game.
The trading cards are a great idea, and I hope they continue it.
The program also needs to have better promotion. I heard a few people complained about not knowing about the trading card night. And the silent auction was only talked about a week or two prior.
Yes, I'm re-quoting this line because I have a thought regarding this.
What isn't seen most of the time is that there are a TON of people standing on the concourse during the game. These people have obviously bought seats but don't sit in them. It's been happening for at least 15 years, and goes back to the Lakeview Arena days where they had the overhang and behind the net area that people could stand and watch the game from.
Maybe there needs to be some renovation to the Berry Events Center to add standing room areas. Take out the last two/three rows of two or three south sections and turn it into standing room only. Take out the back few rows in the Southeast or Southwest corner and create a club/party deck area where you can stand and watch the game.
The other thing that I've typed repeatedly is that the University needs to spend a couple of bucks to try and make a few bucks. Get some camo or orange baseball hats (or have Gander Mountain's corporate office donate a few), stitch the Wildcat logo on 'em, and give 500 away during a November home game.
The trading cards are a great idea, and I hope they continue it.
The program also needs to have better promotion. I heard a few people complained about not knowing about the trading card night. And the silent auction was only talked about a week or two prior.
aparch
Well-known member
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
NMU has signed Coach Walt Kyle to a new 2 year contract for 2015-16 and 2016-17. http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/616406/
NMU has signed Coach Walt Kyle to a new 2 year contract for 2015-16 and 2016-17. http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/616406/
John J. MacInnes
Coach Emeritus
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
If you don't have a Mining Journal subscription online, here's the blurb from TV6.
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=1186609#.VR6VRuFq3gA
If you don't have a Mining Journal subscription online, here's the blurb from TV6.
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=1186609#.VR6VRuFq3gA
That's great news. After waiting to see what the university was going to do regarding Walt, I will now renew my season tickets for a 27th straight season. I was a little concerned they might cave in to the people who really don't understand the inner dynamics of college hockey.
aparch
Well-known member
Amen.
I am also glad to see Walt renewed.
And 27 years as a season ticket holder?! WOW! Congrats! That's a long run; has the University ever honored or thanked the long term season ticket holders? Would be a nice gesture, especially those who span three decades.
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
The only time I've seen any acknowledgement was this past season. All season ticket holders received a pair of pint glasses with the Wildcat head on them. My Spotted Cow tastes great in them.
The only time I've seen any acknowledgement was this past season. All season ticket holders received a pair of pint glasses with the Wildcat head on them. My Spotted Cow tastes great in them.
I don't know the exact dates. But I do know it's either late January or early February
WildcatFan2013
New member
Re: NMU Wildcats 2014-2015
You and the other 500 fans attending games will have plenty of room then! Good luck with it all. Keeping Coach Kyle around just ensures more average teams. This blows.
You and the other 500 fans attending games will have plenty of room then! Good luck with it all. Keeping Coach Kyle around just ensures more average teams. This blows.