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Realignment Rumors
- Thread starter joecct
- Start date
Re: Realignment Rumors
I think UAH now has a solid chance of being added to the CCHA (which I'd be okay with) but other than that we may not see much change. I keep running it through my head and there is no obvious new conference to be carved out.
I think UAH now has a solid chance of being added to the CCHA (which I'd be okay with) but other than that we may not see much change. I keep running it through my head and there is no obvious new conference to be carved out.
Re: Realignment Rumors
well... the proposed "Liberty League" idea would actually be i believe 5 of the 6 play-ups. Although 3 are able to offer scholarships.
well... the proposed "Liberty League" idea would actually be i believe 5 of the 6 play-ups. Although 3 are able to offer scholarships.
Patman
Rodent of Unusual Size
Re: Realignment Rumors
I think adding teams like Miami and Notre Dame would be a serious error which would warp the image and brand of the league as a new england or northeast based league... there's miles and miles of distinction between the Notre Dame brand and Notre Dame hockey and Miami doesn't appear to me to be worth the geographic jump. Neither program is of the size that justifies moving so far out of our current footprint. Adding either program to Hockey East would be a mistake... further, the league should leave itself flexibility if in case there are more geographically closer teams who make the jump.
I think adding teams like Miami and Notre Dame would be a serious error which would warp the image and brand of the league as a new england or northeast based league... there's miles and miles of distinction between the Notre Dame brand and Notre Dame hockey and Miami doesn't appear to me to be worth the geographic jump. Neither program is of the size that justifies moving so far out of our current footprint. Adding either program to Hockey East would be a mistake... further, the league should leave itself flexibility if in case there are more geographically closer teams who make the jump.
Re: Realignment Rumors
It's very unlikely that the CCHA will add UAH, although personally I would love to see it happen. But the fact that Miami is the only one within a single day's bus ride makes it less likely.
It's very unlikely that the CCHA will add UAH, although personally I would love to see it happen. But the fact that Miami is the only one within a single day's bus ride makes it less likely.
MavHockey14
New member
trust me, we know.
moose97
New member
Re: Realignment Rumors
I really wish I could be more optimistic about UAH that I am.
They are sitting around hoping for "mass chaos" to occur, but truthfully, even if an anti-BTHC happens, why would the WCHA remnants (UAA, BSU, MSUM, UMD, SCSU, and Tech) or CCHA remnants (WMU, Ferris, NMU, LSSU, UA_ and BGSU) want to make annual trips to Alabama? They could easily get a 20 game conference schedule and get OOC games with each other/BTHC, or combine for a solid 12 team conf and get OOC games with the BTHC. How does UAH fit in that scenario?
Not to mention that for the 11 years of the CHA, all I heard from Huntsville folks was, "the President and AD fully support D-I hockey at UAH." Well, unfortunately, Jim Harris passed away last December and was replaced by an AD from a non-hockey school; plus the president resigned only a month ago. Who knows if hockey will be a priority for either new hire, or if they will look at a program that costs a lot of money to operate and hasn't had a lot of success the last few years - it has, however, supposedly made money for the athletic department.
I really wish I could be more optimistic about UAH that I am.
They are sitting around hoping for "mass chaos" to occur, but truthfully, even if an anti-BTHC happens, why would the WCHA remnants (UAA, BSU, MSUM, UMD, SCSU, and Tech) or CCHA remnants (WMU, Ferris, NMU, LSSU, UA_ and BGSU) want to make annual trips to Alabama? They could easily get a 20 game conference schedule and get OOC games with each other/BTHC, or combine for a solid 12 team conf and get OOC games with the BTHC. How does UAH fit in that scenario?
Not to mention that for the 11 years of the CHA, all I heard from Huntsville folks was, "the President and AD fully support D-I hockey at UAH." Well, unfortunately, Jim Harris passed away last December and was replaced by an AD from a non-hockey school; plus the president resigned only a month ago. Who knows if hockey will be a priority for either new hire, or if they will look at a program that costs a lot of money to operate and hasn't had a lot of success the last few years - it has, however, supposedly made money for the athletic department.
Biddco
Follow me on Twitter: @Biddco
Re: Realignment Rumors
On one side UNO says he would bet against the six. But interestingly they are 'exploring their options' which does say something.
The big question is whether they'd rather be aligned with Notre Dame and Miami or their traditional opponents and retain the WCHA brand. When you look at it that way...I think I would bet against it also.
On one side UNO says he would bet against the six. But interestingly they are 'exploring their options' which does say something.
The big question is whether they'd rather be aligned with Notre Dame and Miami or their traditional opponents and retain the WCHA brand. When you look at it that way...I think I would bet against it also.
Last edited:
ecbrevik
Old Time North Dakota Hockey!
Re: Realignment Rumors
I would rather see the remaining WCHA and CCHA schools stick together as conferences. I think they both still have enough elite teams to function well, and it would be the best move from the perspective of maintaining the smaller programs and college hockey as a whole. However it is also clear that the advent of the BTHC has shaken things up, and a lot of various possibilities are being discussed. It may be a while before us fans really know how the college hockey landscape is going to look over the next few years.
It seems that UNO's primary interest is maintaining ties to UND, DU, and CC:
It would seem that UNO will seek to follow any path blazed by the Sioux, Pios, and Tigers, whatever that path may end up being.
I would rather see the remaining WCHA and CCHA schools stick together as conferences. I think they both still have enough elite teams to function well, and it would be the best move from the perspective of maintaining the smaller programs and college hockey as a whole. However it is also clear that the advent of the BTHC has shaken things up, and a lot of various possibilities are being discussed. It may be a while before us fans really know how the college hockey landscape is going to look over the next few years.
Re: Realignment Rumors
At this point, everyone is exploring their options. Everyone.
At this point, everyone is exploring their options. Everyone.
Almington
Blood Boiling with Rage and Hate
Re: Realignment Rumors
The ball is in UND's court. UND will lead, the other teams will follow, period. It's all a question of who UND invites along to the party.
The ball is in UND's court. UND will lead, the other teams will follow, period. It's all a question of who UND invites along to the party.
Re: Realignment Rumors
Gotta agree there. It's not much of a conference if St. Cloud and UMD (yes, I realize they won the NCAA Title) are the heavy hitters.
Gotta agree there. It's not much of a conference if St. Cloud and UMD (yes, I realize they won the NCAA Title) are the heavy hitters.
Almington
Blood Boiling with Rage and Hate
Re: Realignment Rumors
I dissagree, a conference of SCSU, UMD, BSU, MSUM, MTU and NMU would be very capable of surviving, they would keep the WCHA name, still have an auto bid (no waiting period). Would still be able to schedule UND, UMN and UW in non-conference games. Plus, because of any scheduling agreement with UMN and UW will be with the WCHA, keeping the WCHA name will keep that agreement (baring any termination clause based on teams leaving the WCHA).
UAA would be the sticking point because I can't see those teams wanting to keep traveling up to AK every season given that the exemption will not be worth much on anything to them as they will have a difficult time filling a schedule with home dates as it is. I suspect that those teams would tollerate UAA as long as it is needed to keep a scheduling agreement in place with UW and MN, otherwise they would drop UAA the first change they get (particullarly BSU and MSUM because they get no travel assistance).
I dissagree, a conference of SCSU, UMD, BSU, MSUM, MTU and NMU would be very capable of surviving, they would keep the WCHA name, still have an auto bid (no waiting period). Would still be able to schedule UND, UMN and UW in non-conference games. Plus, because of any scheduling agreement with UMN and UW will be with the WCHA, keeping the WCHA name will keep that agreement (baring any termination clause based on teams leaving the WCHA).
UAA would be the sticking point because I can't see those teams wanting to keep traveling up to AK every season given that the exemption will not be worth much on anything to them as they will have a difficult time filling a schedule with home dates as it is. I suspect that those teams would tollerate UAA as long as it is needed to keep a scheduling agreement in place with UW and MN, otherwise they would drop UAA the first change they get (particullarly BSU and MSUM because they get no travel assistance).
moose97
New member
Re: Realignment Rumors
Every school in the WCHA gets assistance from UAA. The reason for this is that with conference expansion, UAA's cost didn't increase. They still had to provide the same number of flights to the same number of school each year - just different schools depending on who's scheduled to be there in a given year. I have been told this at least twice directly by Bruce McLeod.
Every school in the WCHA gets assistance from UAA. The reason for this is that with conference expansion, UAA's cost didn't increase. They still had to provide the same number of flights to the same number of school each year - just different schools depending on who's scheduled to be there in a given year. I have been told this at least twice directly by Bruce McLeod.
Almington
Blood Boiling with Rage and Hate
Re: Realignment Rumors
NCAA. The BTHC may potentially instill a Major/Mid-Major feel to CH and that will make it tougher on the "mid-majors" to compete in the recruiting department. If a second power conference emergences that will certainly be the case.
As it is, over recent years we do not see the BGSU's , RPI's, LSSU's, winning titles anymore.
That's a telling statement. UMD won a title against the odds, pulling some tough bracket draws. They are not one of the "big boys" of the
NCAA. The BTHC may potentially instill a Major/Mid-Major feel to CH and that will make it tougher on the "mid-majors" to compete in the recruiting department. If a second power conference emergences that will certainly be the case.
As it is, over recent years we do not see the BGSU's , RPI's, LSSU's, winning titles anymore.