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Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

potternmu

potternmu

Member
Given what we know about how the dominoes fell across the college hockey landscape when Penn State elevated its program to D-1 and what we have heard so far regarding ASU's ascension to D-1 hockey and the potential domino effect, which program's move to D-1 will have the larger overall impact on college hockey?
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

I think ASU's effect will simply be to get Pac 12 teams, rather than all the realignment that happened when Penn State when they announced. So I think PSU's impact was bigger.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

komey1 said:
I think ASU's effect will simply be to get Pac 12 teams, rather than all the realignment that happened when Penn State when they announced. So I think PSU's impact was bigger.
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Agreed, several other BigTen(/14) teams were already established in two major AQ conferences. When the BigTen came in and ripped it all apart to bring PSU into the fold, the entire landscape changed, mostly out of unwarranted fear.

Honestly if ASU joins, I see nothing but good things for the D1 hockey landscape. Opens more recruiting areas, grows the sport, and encourages other Pac12 schools to man up. The Oregon Ducks have had a very successful ACHA D1 team for some time. Since most if not all of these schools are D1 NCAA for nearly every other sport, it makes sense...
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

Will ASU cause the complete restructuring of two conferences and the creation of a brand new other?
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

I think whichever team finds success the quickest, in terms of, at least reaching the Frozen Four, will get the nod. Penn State hasn't done anything earth-shattering (and it's foolish to think that they would after just one season)... but they kind of set this all off....so now it's time to validate. But it's good for the sport, to see new schools competing in hockey. You want earth-shattering? You just wait until USF makes their announcement! Hook em' Horns!
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

assuming nchc is the league for asu when the time comes?
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

Obviously in the short term, PSU was a nuclear bomb.

Long term though, imagine 20 years down the road and 10-15 new programs west of Denver. Of course, that couldn't possibly happen though. ;)


Sure, the restructuring of conferences (due to the PSU domino) seems like a big deal in the here and now, but 10 years from now, it'll be a blip. A new generation of fans won't know any different. In addition, conference realignment is an everyday reality in all sports now. It's the norm.

If college hockey expands west and into the northwest though, that would be radically different than what we've seen in our lifetimes. Might even increase the demand for games to be televised which could give the sport even more exposure.

I for one would love to see that happen.


I believe the westward expansion will also expedite B1G schools adding teams.


You may say, I'm a dreamer... :)
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

Gurtholfin said:
I believe the westward expansion will also expedite B1G schools adding teams.
You may say, I'm a dreamer... :)
Click to expand...

Would love to see Illinois get some teams (UofI, Northwestern, NIU), but only for selfish reasons of having college hockey in my back yard, especially with the last two.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

aparch said:
Would love to see Illinois get some teams (UofI, Northwestern, NIU), but only for selfish reasons of having college hockey in my back yard, especially with the last two.
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I'd like to see that too. Would give us some more local teams to have rivalries with and shorter road trips.

NIU would be a sweet little jaunt.

Used to watch UIC on Sportschannel growing up.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

when's the first rose bowl classic? ;)
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

Gurtholfin said:
I believe the westward expansion will also expedite B1G schools adding teams.
Click to expand...
I'm curious as to why you think this. Not saying you're wrong, but I just didn't put the two together.

I would have thought if anything would trigger other Big 10 schools to add hockey, it would have been PSU's move and the establishment of the BTHC. Obviously we're still early, but so far I don't think we've seen much movement in that regard. So I'm curious why teams starting up at ASU, and maybe other western schools might cause something that establishment of the BTHC has not.

It's just my opinion, but I don't think any of these moves are school-driven. Programs will be added only if the right ingredients come together. You probably have to have a moderately successful club program. You need someone (read: wealthy alum(s)) willing to pony up substantial money for start up and initial funding requirements (including for a women's team). You need a decent arena to play in, or a ton more money from the wealthy donors. Finally, someone has to get off their butts and actually start the process.

I think that has to happen at each school that wants to start a program, whether it's a western school where no others are playing, or a Big 10 school that already has the league structure in place.

And, the financial requirements are only going to get larger as schools move into the athlete compensation packages.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

SJHovey said:
I'm curious as to why you think this. Not saying you're wrong, but I just didn't put the two together.

I would have thought if anything would trigger other Big 10 schools to add hockey, it would have been PSU's move and the establishment of the BTHC. Obviously we're still early, but so far I don't think we've seen much movement in that regard. So I'm curious why teams starting up at ASU, and maybe other western schools might cause something that establishment of the BTHC has not.
\
Click to expand...


Just a gut feeling that there will be a domino effect to a limited degree.

There are 1%ers out there with money to donate who want to leave legacy behind. The question will eventually be asked, "Why not us?"


I know many will doubt that this is possible, but 5 years ago, who saw PSU coming? Who really believed that ASU would happen till yesterday?

More will follow.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

Maybe Wisconsin will start playing D1 in hockey? It could happen folks.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

Gurtholfin said:
Used to watch UIC on Sportschannel growing up.
Click to expand...

Me too, that was the bomb. (I also loved "Sportwriters on TV" on Sportschannel, but I digress.)

PSU blew up 2 conferences, which created 2 new and a revised 1. ASU won't have that kind of impact. Big $$ needs to become available to other PAC10 teams to spawn D1 hockey. That will take years.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

SJHovey said:
I'm curious as to why you think this. Not saying you're wrong, but I just didn't put the two together.

I would have thought if anything would trigger other Big 10 schools to add hockey, it would have been PSU's move and the establishment of the BTHC. Obviously we're still early, but so far I don't think we've seen much movement in that regard. So I'm curious why teams starting up at ASU, and maybe other western schools might cause something that establishment of the BTHC has not.

It's just my opinion, but I don't think any of these moves are school-driven. Programs will be added only if the right ingredients come together. You probably have to have a moderately successful club program. You need someone (read: wealthy alum(s)) willing to pony up substantial money for start up and initial funding requirements (including for a women's team). You need a decent arena to play in, or a ton more money from the wealthy donors. Finally, someone has to get off their butts and actually start the process.

I think that has to happen at each school that wants to start a program, whether it's a western school where no others are playing, or a Big 10 school that already has the league structure in place.

And, the financial requirements are only going to get larger as schools move into the athlete compensation packages.
Click to expand...

I am in agreement. For example, if Rock Wirtz decides he wants to watch Northwestern play in the Big Ten he can do so with his vast wealth. In fact he can get it done within days. ;)
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

The honeymoon period would go well, but I don't know how well of a draw they would be after that. The Chicago Wolves (AHL) are bleeding season ticket holders the last few years, the ECHL team quit after one year, and the Chicago Steel (USHL) is having attendance issues.

The NAHL/USHL/whatever in the western suburbs folded a few years ago.

But the Blackhawks are selling out no problem.

Chicago is an NHL town. Not a hockey town.
 
Re: Penn State/Arizona State - which will have the bigger impact?

aparch said:
Chicago is an NHL town. Not a hockey town.
Click to expand...


Truth.

Hence all the Hawks fans who don't know what the **** they're talking about when it comes to hockey.

Of course, they're Chicagoans so they don't let that stop them...
 
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