Oakland U Exploring Addition of Men's and Women's Hockey

[Patman]

All due respect to the school but I just don't see how Oakland's possibly upgrading from club to varsity (assuming it can overcome the $$$ and Title IX barriers) is going to move the needle in terms of broadening interest in college hockey. If we were talking about Illinois, Indiana, Syracuse, or other schools with built-in fan bases, then maybe the needle ticks up a bit. Even within the State of Michigan, which (IIRC) already has five varsity programs, I can't see how adding Oakland makes much of an impact.

Self-generated enthusiasm. You strengthen your local buy-ins and improve culture.

Stop thinking nationally. If people like your party they're going to join your party... be fun and let the good times roll.

"Oh, this is fun, we need this in INSERT LOCATION"

 

[LordofBrewtown]

Re: Oakland U Exploring Addition of Men's and Women's Hockey

Self-generated enthusiasm. You strengthen your local buy-ins and improve culture.

Stop thinking nationally. If people like your party they're going to join your party... be fun and let the good times roll.

"Oh, this is fun, we need this in INSERT LOCATION"

I agree with this. Oakland may not be the type of school I would envision as optimal; but, any addition is good and helps. Also, while a big donor would certainly help and funds are necessary, I don't think you need the 80-100 Million Penn St had. For many schools, the rink/facilities required would have to be as big or with all the bells and whistles they opted for.

I am not familiar with Oakland/surrounding area; but, based on what others have said, I think there may be some advantages they have: Large student body/enrollment; strong local youth hockey programs (including possible potential to rent ice time for new facilities to help offset costs?), geography a good fit for existing conference/low travel costs. Disadvantages would seem to be: Commuter School (going only on what others have posted), funding/donors, no other existing rivals/conference members in other sports have hockey, Name recognition for gathering in casual fans.

That really begs the question: Funding (elephant in the room) aside, what are the characteristics in a school that would lead to a successful launch? I'm thinking a large undergrad enrollment (say at least 10K, 20K would be better) with predominantly on Campus students, but in a fairly large city to draw in the locals. In that sense, I'm thinking a school that wouldn't have to compete with local pro teams or a "big"/power 5 school within an hour's drive. Somewhere where you're the only game in town/market (like San Antonio in the NBA). Of course, that is somewhat offset/contradicted by really wanting a few (4-6) other schools within a 5-7 hour drive to help reduce travel costs. A strong youth hockey environment would help - though again, those tend to be in areas with pro teams, and that contradicts being the only game in town. Being a non-football school likely helps with any Title IX concerns. Possibly a school that hasn't been real successful in other sports/doesn't have football and is looking to make a mark? Any factors missed? Any school seem like a great fit?

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Oakland U Exploring Addition of Men's and Women's Hockey

Iowa State?

Some of the enrollment number schools without football in the Horizon are Milwaukee and IUPUI, but also UIC who's definitely not bringing it back.

 

[John J. MacInnes]

Re: Oakland U Exploring Addition of Men's and Women's Hockey

Western Michigan does not appreciate you missing them. There are 7 D1 teams in Michigan. (8 for the WSU reference).

Considering Western all but refuses to play teams from Michigan more than once a year, it's easy to ignore them.

 

[Ronny Wolf]

Re: Oakland U Exploring Addition of Men's and Women's Hockey

Great if it happens

 

[gfmorris]

Re: Oakland U Exploring Addition of Men's and Women's Hockey

The major donor route works. We've seen it. What we haven't seen is whether the self-funded route works. Kennesaw State tried to pull this off a few years ago before the governor shut them down. I mean, when your student body votes [1] to increase activity fees, you have to consider it. (I forget what Sonny Perdue's reasoning was for denying the request.)

GFM

[1] Trust me, I did student government all five years in college and know what student election turnout rates are. Even for one that was apparently a big deal, if they got 20%, that's amazing.