Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2009-2010 <<<<< Rockin' Part 2 - The Playoffs
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2009-2010 <<<<< Rockin' Part 2 - The Playoffs
I brought up Union simply because of the similar scholarship situation and the commonality of their DIII background. I worked at GE in Schenectady when Ned Harkness restarted the Dutchman program (with the understanding that they were going to DI after the first few years. I remember the significance of their first DIII game against Hobart. Scheduled specifically because Hobart was the last place they played when they originally shut down their program in 1949 ( I wasn't around then
). I remember the ruckus when the faculty rose up and stiffled the DI plans and Ned stormed out at the start of the season. I have remained close to a number of Union alum that I worked with at that time and know the pain they went through, going from a DIII powerhouse to a DI doormat. When RIT made the decision to move up, it was their experience and angst that made me very wary of the move. I have been pleasantly surprised and pleased with the move over these first 5 years. I firmly expected it to be much more painful. Now I'm of the feeling that it was the best possible move. Afterall, a 14,000+ student body really doesn't fit the DIII mold.
I understand the differences between the RIT and Union situations. The Tigers appear to have full institutional support. Someone closer to the school like RITProf would be better to address that than me, an alum at a distance. Union on the other hand has suffered with kind of "schizophrenic" administrative support. The school as a whole has always appealed to me as an Ivy-wannabe. Thats not a knock, just an obervation, it is a very good school. I know there are those associated with the school that still regret dropping out of NESCAC.
My biggest point is that making the DIII - DI transition in the AHA vs the ECACHL has probably helped the Tigers progress to the point where they now sit. Being dominant in the league and having the expectation of making it to the Conference championship, and getting the autobid most years helps recruiting. Being in the AHA also has to have a negative impact for some recruits. If that starts to hold RIT back, then I would suspect that will be the time when the Tigers start poking around to see what other "opportunities" might be out there.
One good (or maybe sad) thing to point out is that there has been more discussion of this topic over the last week than there was on all the other AHA related threads all season long. Just another way RIT dominates the league.
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2009-2010 <<<<< Rockin' Part 2 - The Playoffs
I brought up Union simply because of the similar scholarship situation and the commonality of their DIII background. I worked at GE in Schenectady when Ned Harkness restarted the Dutchman program (with the understanding that they were going to DI after the first few years. I remember the significance of their first DIII game against Hobart. Scheduled specifically because Hobart was the last place they played when they originally shut down their program in 1949 ( I wasn't around then
). I remember the ruckus when the faculty rose up and stiffled the DI plans and Ned stormed out at the start of the season. I have remained close to a number of Union alum that I worked with at that time and know the pain they went through, going from a DIII powerhouse to a DI doormat. When RIT made the decision to move up, it was their experience and angst that made me very wary of the move. I have been pleasantly surprised and pleased with the move over these first 5 years. I firmly expected it to be much more painful. Now I'm of the feeling that it was the best possible move. Afterall, a 14,000+ student body really doesn't fit the DIII mold.I understand the differences between the RIT and Union situations. The Tigers appear to have full institutional support. Someone closer to the school like RITProf would be better to address that than me, an alum at a distance. Union on the other hand has suffered with kind of "schizophrenic" administrative support. The school as a whole has always appealed to me as an Ivy-wannabe. Thats not a knock, just an obervation, it is a very good school. I know there are those associated with the school that still regret dropping out of NESCAC.
My biggest point is that making the DIII - DI transition in the AHA vs the ECACHL has probably helped the Tigers progress to the point where they now sit. Being dominant in the league and having the expectation of making it to the Conference championship, and getting the autobid most years helps recruiting. Being in the AHA also has to have a negative impact for some recruits. If that starts to hold RIT back, then I would suspect that will be the time when the Tigers start poking around to see what other "opportunities" might be out there.
One good (or maybe sad) thing to point out is that there has been more discussion of this topic over the last week than there was on all the other AHA related threads all season long. Just another way RIT dominates the league.
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