This is an excellent point, and one that has not been brought up enough in our discussions. If further conference shakeups increase the divide between "haves" and "have nots", RPI could easily end up with the "have nots" unless it takes proactive steps now. I think that it is safe to say that an Ivy-less "Empire State Conference" (for an unlikely example) would classify as a "have not". In the grand landscape of college hockey, joining Hockey East now might be our only shot at transitioning over to a conference of "haves". Access to more media exposure and $$ (tv contracts/tourney revenue etc...) will only help to keep us moving forward. Admittedly, I have reservations about being swallowed up in a Hockey East containing the Big 4 + ND. However, I would be devastated if we were to pass up the shot now, and have some bizarre shakeup down the road relegate us to a completely meaningless conference. (thought he ECAC is stable now...who knows what the future holds). I look at UConn's conference situation now, where Cuse/Pitt made the proactive switch, and UConn is now scrambling to find stable footing in bball and football. UConn might have the clout to pull something off. RPI certainly would not if it were in a similar scenario.
