The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

[gfmorris]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Why free video works: prospects can check you out, and players can point their friends at home at the feeds. It's about getting better players by getting them the exposure that you can't get if you're not a league with TV names in it.

GFM <-- respects aparch's previous position.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

I can't believe that a video feed could be a cost neutral program. How many ads do you need to sell to pay for a 3 hour internet broadcast. Find a half dozen students with AV backgrounds and pay them $10 / hour. Maybe even the visiting team's market would buy some ad time if they thought their fans would be watching. I think the technology and manpower is more of a hurdle than the actual cost of production.

Ryan J

 

[BCat]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

I have no dog in this fight but aparch makes a lot of sense here, as well as Shirtless Guy with the unified front for the WCHA and a streaming package being the way of the future. As a guy who is about to dump cable the more streaming options as a package for college hockey the better, even better if they are of good quality.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

To the UAH talk: at our last coaches' luncheon, our AD said that everything was on the table. I fully expect that this means a travel subsidy. As I was not at the meeting, I cannot tell you for-sure what I can and cannot say. I hope that I haven't said too much.

Our bid is next month, and our president will be on it.

I got to make lunch this week, and I can say that yes, there is a travel subsidy. I do not know the dollar value of it, but based on what we offered the CCHA, it will be significant but realistic. We won't offer subsidies to Anchorage and Fairbanks, as they won't to us when we travel there. I don't know whether the subsidies will go to the league office or not; this was the method for our 2009 CCHA bid.

This puts us with parity on trying to get into the WCHA from where we were 40 months ago with the CCHA. The main difference is this: in 2009, Penn State was looming even though Pegula had not agreed to fund the program. There is no such factor at play in this case. It will simply be a question of whether the incentives from UAH (subsidy) and internal (decreased Alaska travel) make enough sense to at least seven University presents. Our bid happens 1/17, and while it could take as long as until April, we're asking for as quick of a vote as is feasible so we can a) recruit off of a yes vote or b) scramble elsewhere after a no.

GFM <-- does not believe that Atlantic Hockey will take us in.

 

[UAHStatman]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

I got to make lunch this week, and I can say that yes, there is a travel subsidy. I do not know the dollar value of it, but based on what we offered the CCHA, it will be significant but realistic. We won't offer subsidies to Anchorage and Fairbanks, as they won't to us when we travel there. I don't know whether the subsidies will go to the league office or not; this was the method for our 2009 CCHA bid.

This puts us with parity on trying to get into the WCHA from where we were 40 months ago with the CCHA. The main difference is this: in 2009, Penn State was looming even though Pegula had not agreed to fund the program. There is no such factor at play in this case. It will simply be a question of whether the incentives from UAH (subsidy) and internal (decreased Alaska travel) make enough sense to at least seven University presents. Our bid happens 1/17, and while it could take as long as until April, we're asking for as quick of a vote as is feasible so we can a) recruit off of a yes vote or b) scramble elsewhere after a no.

GFM <-- does not believe that Atlantic Hockey will take us in.

I would think it would be best for the league if they vote as soon as it can, so they can move on with the rest of the business of the league knowing exactly how many members they will be dealing with.

I look at it like this: As of Jan. 17, it will have been about 10 months since UAH started lobbying the member schools and three months since the site visit. After the presentation, they shouldn't require much more time or information.

I can understand allowing a couple of weeks for the representatives at the meeting to go back to their school presidents to process everything if they need to, but after that, UAH and the nWCHA need to get moving.

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

As a counter-point: The WCHA and it's member schools aren't sitting around waiting for UAH. They've already made plans on how to move forward as a nine member league. Schedules have been formed, playoff format arrangements made. They boarded that train last October when holdouts Western Michigan accepted their NCHC offer and BGSU accepted the offer from the WCHA.


The NCHC never wanted UAH, and set up the other leagues trying to force them to take UAH. Everything the NCHC did was in even numbers. First it formed with six teams, then accepted WMU and poached St. Cloud State from the remaining WCHA to make eight.


(This is why I get irked, why should the WCHA be told by others to save UAH for "the good of the sport," when the NCHC teams didn't want UAH anyway?)

 

[UAHStatman]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

As a counter-point: The WCHA and it's member schools aren't sitting around waiting for UAH. They've already made plans on how to move forward as a nine member league. Schedules have been formed, playoff format arrangements made. They boarded that train last October when holdouts Western Michigan accepted their NCHC offer and BGSU accepted the offer from the WCHA.

The only thing the WCHA announced about the conference schedule is that it's 28 games, not announcing who plays whom and when. They can work in UAH during the spring before officially releasing the composite schedule in the summer (like they usually do). The playoff format doesn't need to be changed if they add UAH.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

(This is why I get irked, why should the WCHA be told by others to save UAH for "the good of the sport," when the NCHC teams didn't want UAH anyway?)

No one will save UAH solely "for the good of the sport". If that were the case, the WCHA could've invited them to join months ago. If the WCHA admits them, it will be because the numbers work out, and the Chargers create a bit of scheduling relief. There's virtually no reason for league reps to sit around and suck their thumbs once the proposal is made - they should have all the facts in front of them by the end of the month.

 

[gfmorris]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

No one will save UAH solely "for the good of the sport". If that were the case, the WCHA could've invited them to join months ago. If the WCHA admits them, it will be because the numbers work out, and the Chargers create a bit of scheduling relief. There's virtually no reason for league reps to sit around and suck their thumbs once the proposal is made - they should have all the facts in front of them by the end of the month.

I think aparch is referring to the pressures that will be there from outside. I expect them to be as effective on the WCHA as they will be on Atlantic Hockey if the WCHA turns us down, which is to say that they'll be wholly ineffective. Our case will be judged on its merits, but when we're 1) reducing the regular season travel to Alaska for some teams and 2) subsidizing travel, it would make sense to me, blue glasses or no.

I know that I'm mostly preaching to the choir here.

GFM <-- will just reiterate the point until we're accepted.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

I want UAH in the league because I want to roadtrip somewhere where I can golf in the winter.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

The only thing the WCHA announced about the conference schedule is that it's 28 games, not announcing who plays whom and when. They can work in UAH during the spring before officially releasing the composite schedule in the summer (like they usually do). The playoff format doesn't need to be changed if they add UAH.

From comments made by the LSSU coach during his weekly radio show, I believe the WCHA schedule for 2013-2014 has already been made.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

From comments made by the LSSU coach during his weekly radio show, I believe the WCHA schedule for 2013-2014 has already been made.

Yes the schedule is made for next year but Lake State coach Jim Roque said on the Laker hockey radio show that they are going to Huntsville next year but if the are accepted to the conference then the Charger's will come to the Soo.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Yes the schedule is made for next year but Lake State coach Jim Roque said on the Laker hockey radio show that they are going to Huntsville next year but if the are accepted to the conference then the Charger's will come to the Soo.

They would be non conference games. I think UAH may still have to be an independent team for 2013-14 even if they are accepted into tjhe WCHA. I believe they would join in 2014-15.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

They would be non conference games. I think UAH may still have to be an independent team for 2013-14 even if they are accepted into tjhe WCHA. I believe they would join in 2014-15.

Not according to Roque. If they get accepted they come here next year.

 

[UAHStatman]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

Not according to Roque. If they get accepted they come here next year.

That's what I would think. Considering how deep into the summer some teams and conferences wait until releasing their schedules, I can't believe the official WCHA schedule for 2013-14 is set in stone. I think it would be easy to adjust any draft schedule to include UAH. Having an even number is supposed to make scheduling easier, right? As long as it's still a 28-game conference schedule, non-conference schedules would be unaffected.

We'll be ready immediately, that's for sure. It's not like we're in the Big East and have to wait 27 months or anything.

 

[UncleRay]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

If accepted, I wouldn't be surprised to see UAH play a nWCHA-type schedule, with membership following in the 2014-15 season.

 

[aparch]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

That's what I would think. Considering how deep into the summer some teams and conferences wait until releasing their schedules, I can't believe the official WCHA schedule for 2013-14 is set in stone. I think it would be easy to adjust any draft schedule to include UAH. Having an even number is supposed to make scheduling easier, right? As long as it's still a 28-game conference schedule, non-conference schedules would be unaffected.

We'll be ready immediately, that's for sure. It's not like we're in the Big East and have to wait 27 months or anything.

You do realize that the league match-ups (who's playing who how many times and where) are set in advance, with the only thing holding back the release of these schedules is building availability and scheduling dates, right? Most teams staff and schools know the schedule before the season is over, and only hold off on releasing the schedules until dates are firmed up.

 

[beaverhockeyfan]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

You do realize that the league match-ups (who's playing who how many times and where) are set in advance, with the only thing holding back the release of these schedules is building availability and scheduling dates, right? Most teams staff and schools know the schedule before the season is over, and only hold off on releasing the schedules until dates are firmed up.

It could also be the case that the nWCHA has two schedules already drawn up, one with UAH in the mix and one without.

Just sayin'......

 

[Flashy Man]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

It could also be the case that the nWCHA has two schedules already drawn up, one with UAH in the mix and one without.

Just sayin'......

Certainly, when UNO jumped from D2 to the Summit League, they made it work for a whole schedule of sports.

 

[MikeAnderson]

Re: The New WCHA 2, The Electric Boogaloo (2013-14)

As a counter-point: The WCHA and it's member schools aren't sitting around waiting for UAH. They've already made plans on how to move forward as a nine member league. Schedules have been formed, playoff format arrangements made. They boarded that train last October when holdouts Western Michigan accepted their NCHC offer and BGSU accepted the offer from the WCHA.

If the heads of the WCHA are in any way responsible, they've created multiple regular-season schedules to accommodate multiple scenarios. Many in the nWCHA are familiar with D-II's Midwest region and should note the tumultuous GLVC membership of the last several years (full disclosure: I work for a former GLVC school). Our AD headed up their scheduling committee and was routinely creating 3-4 schedules for each sport every year based on scenarios where certain schools may be joining or leaving the conference. Changing the playoff format can be as simple as bargaining for an additional day at the playoff host's venue.

As to the video question, I'd love to see every league go to a format similar to what we have in the Atlantic Sun, which is completely free-per-view. Not sure what sort of leverage a single-sport conference would have in making that happen, though.