Re: The Paint Store Diaries: Michigan Tech Offseason Part III
It's a huge concern for any non-B10 hockey school outside the state of Minnesota.
EDIT: ^^ bbdl gets it
problem is, no he doesn't.
NMU has no problem fielding a competitive team year after year without a "participation" check from the WCHA...
I am concerned about Penn State making the move. I was hoping some other non-big10 team would up their program. What I'd like to see happen is Penn State to the CCHA, let the six Big10 teams do whatever they do during the season while a member of the W/CCHA ala the Ivies in ECAC, and maintain the current W/CCHA as they are.
IMHO,this will be what happens for a year or two while the other big ten teams assess how much money is out there. If PSu pulls it off, then all bets are off.
If the bthc happen, it would be bad for MTU but how bad really depends on what happens to the membership that is left. If the 10 remaining teams stay together and find a decent setup for the final five, I don't think it would be so horrible since alot of people from all over the conference go to the f5 no matter what. I'm not sure I really see that happening though. I would guess that the bthc would cause a complete reorganization.
I think the chances of reorganization are great, in fact almost a done deal. I think also miami and ND are going to go with the big boys out west. the question is how will the WCHA respond. if they choose to get bigger which I think is likely, then Tech has a good shot at staying in. if not, well then not.
We will see the rest of the big names scramble to find the best situation for their own program. We'd end up with a western conference with UND, DU, CC, SCSU, UMD, UNO, MU, and Notre Dame. UAA, UA, Mankato, BSU, Tech, NMU, LSSU, WMU, FSU, BGSU and UAH would all be hung out to dry in a new version of the CHA.
They would start of drop off slowly like the CHA teams did. It would start with LSSU, then WMU, BGSU and UAH, followed then by the rest. It would be a slow death that we will be able to see for about 10 years before it happens.
I completely and utterly disagree with this. Not to say that these programs are not in trouble, they could be, we will just have to wait and see.
This is not a done deal but they might have been in trouble regardless. Think of the talent pool also and what if two more Big ten teams pick up the sport. then indeed some of the major programs now will be in deep kimshee. Also, look at the list from a money point of view only. UMd and some of the others are not in any better shape really then Tech or NMU are. so the big boys out west are really only a couple of teams and the rest of the league may not want to just do what they want.
What I referred to is that since this is all in play, the number of scholarships might change, and teams in Minnesota/ WCHA that are financially strapped will be looking to cut costs. It kind of all depends on the WCHA's approach and the ccha's approach. It could be that all teams will find it more difficult to get talent and thus fewer top recruits at one school. I would bet that the non big ten schools are going to lobby for a reduction in scholarships.( cutting costs)Thus a more level playing field for the smaller schools.
What bbdl said is what I'm worried about, the question is would Miami and notre dame make that move or not. I'm not sure they would because I don't think und, und, cc and du put more butts in the seats than what's left of the ccha? I think they do. If I was ferris I would be real worried but since I'm not, well I'm not so much. but politically behind the scenes for the next couple of years you can bet a lot will be going on. Old markers will be called in etc.
What I (and most) hope happens is that the big ten schools stay in their respective conferences and focus their nc games on each other.
I don't see that happening. I think they are going to act like good little boys for a year or two and keep the non conference rivalry's the same, but after a while. Not. I think down the road BOTH Miami and ND are going to move. unless the CCHA is successful in finding a way to up the competitive level/ money. In other words a TV deal. (I wonder how Fox Sports is going to respond to the BTN competing)
That's kinda what I see IF the "Anti-Big10" conference is formed in response. But we still haven't seen anything (including confirmation from Penn State) that this is happening. I'm of the belief that Penn State is going to be the 12th CCHA team, and they're going to be there for a few years before any dreams of forming their own conference take place.
I'm hoping that the "Iveys" idea is what the Big10 does.
And looking through that list, it's a shame of how many NCAA National Champion programs would be folded in the process. MTU has three, LSSU has three, NMU with one, BGSU with one... at least eight past champions. You'd think the NCAA would try to hold on to them. It's not like the NCAA is LOSING money with those teams...
Yes it is a shame but this is reality. We have to deal with it. They will do the ivey's idea for a little while. But don't be fooled, the bthc is right around the corner. my guess is three years, maybe four.
Ncaa doesn't care really. but there are other factors that are too long to go into here, all having to do with money.
They aren't making any money off us either, and that's what matters. They could care less about sports and teams that don't turn a solid profit.
Personally, I figure that the Big Ten Network would be more interested in showing as much bouncyball as possible during the winter, since it's a serious revenue sport. I have a hard time believing that they are eager to leap onto the hockey wagon when half the teams in the conference won't even be playing the sport (I don't see PSU convincing anyone else to start a program in the near future).
Once PSU starts skating and joins the CCHA (presumably the initial arrangement), I think we might see the B10 teams and the BTN test the waters with a non-conference tournament to replace the College Hockey Showcase.
You have to understand, ANY incremental programming on the BTN will bring, most likely, incremental revenue and thus more money. Don't think that the BTn is only about basketball or football, that is totally untrue. If you have umtc vs michigan four times per year, you can bet that the ratings on that will be very strong. psu is not doing this out of the goodness of their heart and is not expecting to lose money, I can guarantee that.
the real question then becomes not if, but when, and how will Tech respond. IMHO the best way to respond is to win some games and become credible enough to have them want you to stay around, even if they expect you to be the bottom team.
Too bad we couldn't put the MacNaughton next to it. Then someone could've hauled the Gibson Cup over and we'd have the three oldest hockey trophies in one place.
