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Norwich 2024-25-Is this the year it turns?

Bog Hockey said:
Even the USCHO poll recognizes NU’s spiraling decline. When was the last time NU received an embarrassing 3 preseason votes? Talk about no confidence. Will the Administration really allow the program to go beyond rock bottom before taking appropriate action? This will make for a great essay one day. “The Rise and Fall of Norwich Men’s Hockey: How to Destroy a Once Marquee Program Overnight.” It will take years to restore the hockey community’s trust and confidence in NU. Talented prospective student-athletes will shy away until a tangible commitment is made to a turnaround. Even that may not prove enough.
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Any different than the book for Middlebury men's hockey?
 
There may be some hope coming down. International
aid MIGHT be improved next year. Things didn’t look great last game, yet it will take some time for both the new players to fit in, and for an emphasis on offense to take hold. (Personally I think an offensive coach would be a needed addition, but doubtful any budget flex for that). Admitting the defensive only mentality was flawed is a step in the right direction. It was refreshing to see some physical play!
At least it’s a change.
 
I also agree that international financial aid will resume to acceptable levels-- it might be wise not to put all the blame on the coaching staff but rather the the mess left by the past president-
 
dwb said:
I also agree that international financial aid will resume to acceptable levels-- it might be wise not to put all the blame on the coaching staff but rather the the mess left by the past president-
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Absolutely to blame. The coach is the leader also responsible for forging effective relationships with the AD, Administration, BoT, community, and alumni. Leadership 101 here, and no passing the buck. If the coach of a once premier program holds no sway with key decision makers that, in and of itself, is problematic.
 
This weekend’s game will be a much tougher test. Curry is a really good squad, and last years playoffs must have given them a lot of confidence to start this year. For a change, I’ll be hoping for a close score.
 
jerrynu26 said:
This weekend’s game will be a much tougher test. Curry is a really good squad, and last years playoffs must have given them a lot of confidence to start this year. For a change, I’ll be hoping for a close score.
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Really? Considering that stellar Rivier performance? I’m hopeful for a few face-off wins and 3-4 quality shots.
 
NU used to get a transfer or two: Orono, USM, USAFA, others. Now, we don’t see that happening either. Hmmmm…. What changed?
 
hopefully -this is a wake up call -would love to see our defensemen try to keep in the puck in the offensive zone to create more scoring opportunity--the season is young and hopefully learn from sat game
 
No votes in the Nov 4 USCHO Div III poll. Prez will have to tell us if this is unprecedented. The unnecessary destruction of this program must be absolutely horrifying to McShane and the selection committee. I mean the program McShane built, the championships, the commitment, etc. The Ellsworth experiment has gone horribly wrong. I only see two options.
 
This will be another year of mediocrity for Norwich Hockey. Athletics are not a current priority at the university… keeping their doors open is. Student-Athletes is a way to produce revenue, and revenue is what Norwich needs.

Schneider and his team allowed Norwich to spiral for four year, and then the BoT hired that Bafoon Anarumo… all of which brought NU to where it is today.

Coach Cam regrets coming to Northfield because he’s not getting what he was promised, so he goes to the rink and goes home
 
FloridaHomey said:
This will be another year of mediocrity for Norwich Hockey. Athletics are not a current priority at the university… keeping their doors open is. Student-Athletes is a way to produce revenue, and revenue is what Norwich needs.

Schneider and his team allowed Norwich to spiral for four year, and then the BoT hired that Bafoon Anarumo… all of which brought NU to where it is today.

Coach Cam regrets coming to Northfield because he’s not getting what he was promised, so he goes to the rink and goes home
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Mediocrity seems overly optimistic.
 
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Money talks. When you’re 10k or more expensive than your competitors, talented kids go elsewhere.

The rise of Norwich hockey isn’t complicated. Build the best rink in the country, hire a great coach and give the best (maybe too good??) financial aid in North America. Hang banners within 3 years. Add to that MAYBE 10 schools in the country invested in hockey back then and it was easy to build a winner.

Now you’ve got a bunch more schools investing in hockey and AWFUL financial aid. The freshmen are great kids, but they’re probably 15-20 on the top 20 recruits list the staff was working with and 1-14 took the cheaper deal.

Good news, as Jerry said they MIGHT do something with Canadian aid next year. Bad news, BoT approved ANOTHER tuition hike.

Until there is a change in the VP of enrollment office, things will only get worse. Openly hostile to athletics. Vocally.

Seeing the reverse at Hobart. Taylor has been there a long time. He didn’t suddenly become a drastically better coach.
 
KrbFlint said:
Money talks. When you’re 10k or more expensive than your competitors, talented kids go elsewhere.

The rise of Norwich hockey isn’t complicated. Build the best rink in the country, hire a great coach and give the best (maybe too good??) financial aid in North America. Hang banners within 3 years. Add to that MAYBE 10 schools in the country invested in hockey back then and it was easy to build a winner.

Now you’ve got a bunch more schools investing in hockey and AWFUL financial aid. The freshmen are great kids, but they’re probably 15-20 on the top 20 recruits list the staff was working with and 1-14 took the cheaper deal.

Good news, as Jerry said they MIGHT do something with Canadian aid next year. Bad news, BoT approved ANOTHER tuition hike.

Until there is a change in the VP of enrollment office, things will only get worse. Openly hostile to athletics. Vocally.

Seeing the reverse at Hobart. Taylor has been there a long time. He didn’t suddenly become a drastically better coach.
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It’s good to hear from Flint. What he has to say illustrates how a program’s decline can rapidly snowball due to poor recruiting. NU is taller, slower, and less talented because they’re now getting 15 to 20. Successive years of poor recruiting can kill a program and requires years to flush out the 15s - 20s, to restore trust and confidence in prospective student-athletes, and resume some semblance of skill and speed. It will not happen overnight. It’s up to the Administration, now.
 
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