Sacred Heart?

[schiegs]

Someone pass it on to the Atlantic Hockey office to remove the 12 scholarship per team limit. That holds programs back.

Also keeps programs from folding up altogether, and thus shrinking the sport.

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

Also keeps programs from folding up altogether, and thus shrinking the sport.

I do see what you are saying. SHU is one of the schools that can handle 18. Was talking to the father of a Niagra player at the QU-Union game tonight and he thought the AH should allow 18.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

Good news for CT and SHU hockey, the administration of the athletic department does realize the value of hockey and has the desire to create a solid program. When it comes to the facilities, in their words, "NO question...a state of the art arena would certainly redefine our men's and women's hockey programs." There you go, SHU has the desire to succeed in hockey and be a hockey school. They do compete at the D-1AA level in football already.

Someone pass it on to the Atlantic Hockey office to remove the 12 scholarship per team limit. That holds programs back.

Sacred Heart can't afford a new arena because they don't have to give out more scholarships? Does not compute.

 

[LTsatch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

Do you really think that SHU could afford to purchase Fairchild-Wheeler golf course at Fairfield County per acre prices? Also, SHU uses the course as a promotion for alumni and as a home course for the golf team. Not sure if the city of Bridgeport would give up one of the only things that makes the City "Un-Urban"

 

[schiegs]

I do see what you are saying. SHU is one of the schools that can handle 18. Was talking to the father of a Niagra player at the QU-Union game tonight and he thought the AH should allow 18.

Always sounds like a great idea. But, we can all name a half dozen programs that have folded in the last several years because they couldn't maintain the cost of staying competitive. At a time when college hockey is (factually) shrinking, I think we need ONE conference where teams can compete with a shot at something without having to take out a mortgage the size of Peru to do it. Then when they want to offer more resources, they can step up and do it when they're ready (i.e., QU, UConn, etc.).

Just one stick-in-the-mud's opinion.

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

Do you really think that SHU could afford to purchase Fairchild-Wheeler golf course at Fairfield County per acre prices? Also, SHU uses the course as a promotion for alumni and as a home course for the golf team. Not sure if the city of Bridgeport would give up one of the only things that makes the City "Un-Urban"

I am not worried about the school's expansion. That is something that would take care of itself. SHU to have a larger student population than Fairfield University and SHU takes FU's place in hockey and football? That is something I never thought I'd see. But a school like SHU should focus on hockey and let the other sports follow. That helped at Quinnipiac. It appears the administration agrees. As said, I went to Fairfield Prep. We have the record for state championships in hockey. We were a football school and still are. I've had a solid exposure to high school hockey culture. Plus, SHU's rink can be used for high school hockey games, etc. This is a golden opportunity for SHU.

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

Always sounds like a great idea. But, we can all name a half dozen programs that have folded in the last several years because they couldn't maintain the cost of staying competitive. At a time when college hockey is (factually) shrinking, I think we need ONE conference where teams can compete with a shot at something without having to take out a mortgage the size of Peru to do it. Then when they want to offer more resources, they can step up and do it when they're ready (i.e., QU, UConn, etc.).

Just one stick-in-the-mud's opinion.

I totally understand. We're going to definitely undergo more changes as the economy continues to change. I hope it does not affect collegiate sports too much.

 

[komey1]

Re: Sacred Heart?

I think Sacred Heart has essentially been left behind with the expansion of the AHA. The balance of power in the AHA has shifted to the west, where before it was in the east or even at best. How far they have fallen is shocking though. I think no matter what, it's going to take some time to get back to being close to where they were.

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

I think Sacred Heart has essentially been left behind with the expansion of the AHA. The balance of power in the AHA has shifted to the west, where before it was in the east or even at best. How far they have fallen is shocking though. I think no matter what, it's going to take some time to get back to being close to where they were.

The very first step is a new state of the art arena. Expansion doesn't necessarily have to hurt. UConn is the only northeast school in the AAC apart from Temple. But facilities go a very long way. An arena can be widely used here, doesn't have to be just SHU games.

 

[UncleRay]

The AHA is not a bad conference. It has the support of the Army and the Air Force. But a solid hockey program is a GREAT way to advance their school and I think they realize that.

?? With half of the league in the bottom 7 in PWR & RPI, I think it is pretty safeto say that the AHA is, in fact, a bad conference.

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

http://www.uscho.com/2004/08/24/quinnipiac-officially-admitted-to-ecac/

2004:

"Ultimately, Niagara, Holy Cross, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and Mercyhurst were named finalists. Earlier in the summer, athletic directors chose Quinnipiac for recommendation, and the choice was officially approved by the league’s Policy Committee — comprised of non-athletics representatives from each school — last Friday in Albany."

Sacred Heart was one of 5 finalists for admission to the ECAC. QU was definitely the better option between SHU and QU, QU is further along the path of development and probably the best option out of all 5. Is it possible the ECAC may expand by another two schools? Navy and Rhode Island were considering upgrading to D1 10 years ago. A shame they haven't. Did not know about all that.

SHU takes 1 out of 2 at Canisius, the team is uptrending! AIC defeated UMass last night in Amherst. But that game was lop-sided in shots on goal. The SHU @ UMass-Lowell game was definitely more balanced. And a much better quality win.

 

[QUAlum2004]

http://www.uscho.com/2004/08/24/quinnipiac-officially-admitted-to-ecac/

2004:

"Ultimately, Niagara, Holy Cross, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and Mercyhurst were named finalists. Earlier in the summer, athletic directors chose Quinnipiac for recommendation, and the choice was officially approved by the league’s Policy Committee — comprised of non-athletics representatives from each school — last Friday in Albany."

Sacred Heart was one of 5 finalists for admission to the ECAC. QU was definitely the better option between SHU and QU, QU is further along the path of development and probably the best option out of all 5. Is it possible the ECAC may expand by another two schools? Navy and Rhode Island were considering upgrading to D1 10 years ago. A shame they haven't. Did not know about all that.

SHU takes 1 out of 2 at Canisius, the team is uptrending! AIC defeated UMass last night in Amherst. But that game was lop-sided in shots on goal. The SHU @ UMass-Lowell game was definitely more balanced. And a much better quality win.

I hope the ECAC does not expand. We don't need to be watered down by crappy AHA teams. 12 is a perfect number for the ECAC.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

Re: Sacred Heart?

Butch, what are you smoking? Sacred Heart didn't win a game until February last year and you are talking about moving up to a higher level of competition? SHU can't even compete in Atlantic Hockey, the weakest conference by far. How about shooting for a winning season first?

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

Butch, what are you smoking? Sacred Heart didn't win a game until February last year and you are talking about moving up to a higher level of competition? SHU can't even compete in Atlantic Hockey, the weakest conference by far. How about shooting for a winning season first?

That did happen before. I know how last season went. SHU was doing decently under their their previous coach.

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

I hope the ECAC does not expand. We don't need to be watered down by crappy AHA teams. 12 is a perfect number for the ECAC.

I just have to laugh at you calling the AHA "crappy teams". You used to be one of them. Playing in a freaking crappy roadside rink too. All QU has done is made the Frozen Four. Once. UConn actually won championships. 17. QU win any titles in women's rugby? There's QU fans who want to go to the Hockey East. Guess what? My alma mater, UConn, yes, UConn, is going directly to the Hockey East. Isn't that cool? Wasn't the game against Maine great? UMass really got their rear ends kicked.

The AHA is there to develop programs. Army and Air Force provide support for programs. There's more schools out there with potential to grow. The academic landscape has been changing and will continue to change. As said before, who the heck would have ever imagined SHU would become the second largest Catholic school in New England? That's a strong pull for future development. All I know is the SHU administration is very interested in creating a hockey arena for their programs and getting rid of that corny raccoon hat logo.

It's surprising no school in the Buffalo and Rochester areas are in a "power conference", so far. RIT is aiming high. The fact there's a growing pool of schools who aspire to be strong D1 hockey programs in the future developing through the AHA, says more changes will happen.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Sacred Heart?

I just have to laugh at you calling the AHA "crappy teams". You used to be one of them. Playing in a freaking crappy roadside rink too. All QU has done is made the Frozen Four. Once. UConn actually won championships. 17. QU win any titles in women's rugby? There's QU fans who want to go to the Hockey East. Guess what? My alma mater, UConn, yes, UConn, is going directly to the Hockey East. Isn't that cool? Wasn't the game against Maine great? UMass really got their rear ends kicked.

I'm sure you're trying to make a pint here but I'll be ****ed if I can figure out what it is. Perhaps "crappy teams" wasn't the right moniker, but let's be honest... there's a definite talent disparity mainly due lack of scholarships. Of course, we all know that Atlantic Hockey teams aren't doormats either (can anyone say AIC? Or Canisius?). But let's be honest, the league as a whole struggles to keep up with the others on a national stage.

The AHA is there to develop programs.

Ummm... no. Nobody playing at the D-I level is "developing" anything. They're all playing for the same prize. The different leagues all have different attributes. I think it's safe to say AHA schools are more about academics than anything else.

There's more schools out there with potential to grow. The academic landscape has been changing and will continue to change. As said before, who the heck would have ever imagined SHU would become the second largest Catholic school in New England? That's a strong pull for future development.

Academic or athletic development? And what exactly does being the largest Catholic school in New England afford them?

All I know is the SHU administration is very interested in creating a hockey arena for their programs and getting rid of that corny raccoon hat logo.

If they're really serious about the hockey program, actions speak louder than words. I find it hard to phathom a school like SHU committing multi-millions of dollars for hockey alone.

It's surprising no school in the Buffalo and Rochester areas are in a "power conference", so far. RIT is aiming high. The fact there's a growing pool of schools who aspire to be strong D1 hockey programs in the future developing through the AHA, says more changes will happen.

I still can't get my mind around your assertion that the AHA schools are "developing". What are they developing? Do you really think they're (collectively) aspiring to become better D-I programs so they can move to "better" leagues?

While I agree that it would be nice to see schools like SHU do better in the D-I hockey world, the cruel reality is that it takes a boatload of money to "upgrade" with very little in return other than name recognition.

 

[Butch]

Re: Sacred Heart?

The talent disparity is not as bad as football. AHA schools beat HE schools more often than Sun Belt beat SEC schools in football.

Coming from an experience where I used to floor with UConn hockey players and we were D3, watched our football and hockey programs develop as our basketball pounded away in the Big East. The Big East's football conference is now all a memory. UConn was given a great start at the FBS level based on conference affiliation. Penn State hockey will take off immediately because of their conference affiliation and already is drawing crowds that put many of us in New England and New York to shame.

I am speaking of trends. The Catholic Church has a solid reputation of creating good schools (except when it comes to Theology) when it snaps it's finger. That's when happened with Sacred Heart. The Catholic Church snapped it's fingers and SHU came into being. As stated, SHU is getting powerful people to donate to developing the school and campus. Fairfield County can use a college hockey program. It is a perfect setting for another hockey program in this state.

AHA schools are generally playing, hoping to get taken up by stronger conferences. The AHA and such conferences are where most new D1 programs are born or die. QU and UConn graduated. Let's support SHU.

Didn't QU change conference affiliation in other sports? The NEC to the MAAC? That's developing. But considering the ECAC even considered SHU 10 years ago, there's hope. Gotta right the ship. SHU hockey will advertise itself here with a rink they can also use to host HS games.

 

[schiegs]

Ummm... no. Nobody playing at the D-I level is "developing" anything. They're all playing for the same prize. The different leagues all have different attributes. I think it's safe to say AHA schools are more about academics than anything else.

.

Examples of the fruition of development:
Quinnipiac
UConn

The league serves the purpose of providing an affordable entry point into the sport, where teams have the ability (if they so choose) to develop into a higher profile program.

I think it's safe to say AHA schools are more about academics than anything else.

There is no academic consistency in the league. You have a few programs that are some of the most academically prestigious institutions in the country, alongside several "Heartbeat U." schools.

 

[Ryan Hardy]

Re: Sacred Heart?

I love Sacred Heart University and, in particular, Sacred Heart Hockey. So, Butch, while I don't agree with all of your points, as some are factually incorrect, I do admire your passion and support for the program. SHU certainly has it's challenges, but I do believe it has great potential.

 

[lmg6841]

Re: Sacred Heart?

Let's be real here. UConn was not clamoring for development or advancement in hockey. They got a golden ticket and jumped at the opportunity.

Examples of the fruition of development:
Quinnipiac
UConn

The league serves the purpose of providing an affordable entry point into the sport, where teams have the ability (if they so choose) to develop into a higher profile program.