Re: Norwich 14-15
True, but it was Primelink's call and Potsdam was a New York school. What profit is there for Primelink in adding a third Vermont school?
What does Potsdam being a New York school have to do with it? Primelink has and is openly and aggressively attempting to expand into Vermont. What better place then Castleton? Glens Falls, NY region at that. It may have been Primelinks call, but if you don't think Trent was being nudged into replacing Potsdam by ALL 3 coaches you're mistaken.
How about this? The tournament rotates on a three year cycle bringing in an ECAC East team (Castleton or Babson?) a NESCAC school (Williams or Bowdoin?) and a SUNY school (Genny or OZ?)? Then you spread the conference opponent thing around while keeping it all East and keeping the quality of the visiting team at a high level.
While in theory it seems like a good idea, I don't see it happening. You are asking Oswego and Geneseo to give up two gimmie games versus say Salve Regina, Franklin Pierce, Curry, Hamilton, and or Connecticut College to travel nearly a 300 mile average to Vermont and NOT get a return trip? Not thinking so. Like I said, great in theory, not going to materialize.
Scenario #1 Keep Castleton - While no one had an issue when Plattsburgh was playing Potsdam 3 times a season, to keep you happy....
- On years Norwich hosts the Primelink, they get Castleton Friday night as an ECAC East Conference game....
- On years Castleton hosts the Primelink, they get Norwich Friday night as an ECAC East Conference game....
Castleton/Norwich tilts have been exciting. I'm sorry but a Norwich / Castleton Primelink Championship would be a great game. Emery vs. Moff for a Primelink Championship, which means you still get a Norwich Middlebury game earlier...and vice versa.... Part of me wants to just say "suck it up and deal with it, we did...." I still have a strong feeling you will see Castleton added. From a Primelink region sense, from a Emery/Moff sense (seeing how they've dropped Castleton from their schedule), from a respectable opponent, from a marketing standpoint, from a location standpoint. All of these positives and really only the "guaranteed 3rd game every 3 years" being the only negative.
But moving on from that one to ...
Scenario #2
While I was sitting here looking at the maps of DIII I noticed something.....
There is a team that is:
A) within an average of LESS than 200 miles from ALL three Primelink schools
B) a consistent Top 15 team
C) close to the Primelink network coverage area (or a potential expansion)
D) could easily host their own Primelink tournament
E) closer than the trips to Potsdam for both Middlebury and Norwich (so distance shouldn't be an issue)
While they don't like playing a lot of road games, they have played in both the Times Argus (Norwich) and Cardinal Classic (Plattsburgh) a couple times. A Primelink Tournament weekend could give a real big boost to their schedule and the opportunity to host a Primelink would make for arguably the best Primelink, ever. Who is it?
Plattsburgh...
Norwich...
Middlebury...
and
UTICA!!
While Castleton is my #1 choice, if something can't be worked out I hope they pursue Utica. I wonder how Heenan would feel about it? It is a little haul for the schools, but for Norwich and Middlebury its actually closer than what they were driving to Potsdam. The AUD > Maxy Hall (renovations and all).
