What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Wolfman said:
Suze,

I know you have mentioned this before several times. But Dr. Cobb continues to assure me that the new hockey facility will be a reality. So, anything else as I was saying is up for Analysis, debate and speculation.
Click to expand...

I've mentioned it because myself (and other fans) have been told this for 5 or 6 years now, and yet nothing has happened. After awhile you start to take things with a grain of salt, and that's where I am. Show me something concrete.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Suze said:
It was also mentioned that the late news will have info on Corbett's meet & greet today.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Hopefully someone who went will pop by here with the scoop before then! :D
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Wolfman said:
I know you have mentioned this before several times. But Dr. Cobb continues to assure me that the new hockey facility will be a reality. So, anything else as I was saying is up for Analysis, debate and speculation.

As for Division I in all sports, this is true. The reason we can't sell out the 1,000 seat delapatated gym is because nobody wants to go and be uncomfertable except the die hard fans like me. I believe with a respectable facility, you will see many people go to the new arena to watch basketball. Also, it will allow the school to sell the club seats, etc. Our UAA peers are mostly division I in athletics such as Boise State, etc. The new arena supposed to set us up for Division I in all sports.

I respect many on this board because we all want the success of our program. Heck, I wear my UAA class ring 24/7. I took my UAA flag to Iraq and proudly sent pics back to school. So, like all of you, I want the best for our sport programs in particular our hockey program.
Click to expand...
I mean no disrespect to you, but I have heard the same assurances for several years now and have yet to see anything concrete either. It is still a "priority" for the department to get on-campus ice but nobody has yet to show anything at all definitive to that point and after years of hearing the same things, one gets less optimistic.

I hope you're right about the reasoning for few attendees at current sporting events. I'm not as optimistic that a prettier building will get filled with the same competition occurring there as what is currently available at WFSC. I hope I'll eat my words on the matter, but I still see the building as a money pit for all sports

Thank you for your service and for representing the university with such class! Regardless of the issue, I think we can all agree on that
 
Last edited:
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Seawolf Fan said:
We're unable to adequately fund the 2 D1 programs we have now. How in the world does anyone think we could fund several more?
The politicians could, if they wanted to, flood both UAA and UA_ with money for not just athletics but anything else needed to make both schools first rate if not first class. We had to beg and grovel for the money to get a decent engineering school going. And the only reason it was funded is because the oil companies want the engineers. Instead of funding schools at any level the politicians choose to give multi billion dollar gifts to the folks that fund their re-election. Or in 3 cases what their employers want. Think there might be the hint of a conflict of interest there? As our governor reminds us daily, we're going to have to tighten our belts in these tough economic times.
But Dr. Cobb is the problem? Give me a break.
We're getting what we voted for. Hockey program and all.
Click to expand...
I think Seawolf sums it up about right. You can jump all over Cobb all you want. The problem lies in the legislature funding on campus ice. Not sure where all you detractors expect Cobb to get the money. Maybe he can just pull it out of his butt do you think? I think all you Cobb detractors are naive trying to get a guy fired who has pulled the whole department up to a number 12 out of 300 ranking. How about we try a tact with the people who control the money? The legislature. Put our efforts into getting the funding to put an ice rink on campus. Just an idea.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

AlaskaRox said:
Awesome! Hopefully someone who went will pop by here with the scoop before then! :D
Click to expand...
The Meet & Greet was better attended than I had expected. Great to see so many people come out to support the program and show interest in the future of UAA hockey.

Corbett reminds me of his boss at AF when speaks in that he knows his way with words. He talked about forging strong ties with the community again and get the Sully back to the raucous atmosphere that he remembered playing in front a few decades ago. He emphasized the need to recruit locally and pick up those players that should be staying here instead of going somewhere else, while also discussing some of the differences in recruiting that he would face being able to recruit more than just Americans like he currently does. Sounds like his focus is more on faster players than bigger players and playing a smarter game instead of a rough game.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

I met Damon Whitten once when he was an MSU hockey office staffer. Really good guy. Seems like he's done a decent job at MTU.

I wouldn't be upset at all if Whitten got the job, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Corbett. All that said, Cobb will probably hire an inanimate carbon rod.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Corbett said all the right things: fast, freewheeling game, no "system" just responsibilities, did I mention more speed?, guys need to want to wear the sweater, the facilities are what they are - deal with it, players and coaches involved in the community, don't step on any alumni financial toes, want high intensity, get the players involved with the students, no prima donnas, small steps, keep moving forward, did I mention more speed?, etc. etc. not a real polished speaker, however said all the right things and was convincing saying most of them.
I liked the guy and was suitably impressed with him and what he said. The other applicants are going to have to go some to measure up.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

More Corbett: he'll be in the "trenches with his guys", all 3 coaches out recruiting, has contacts for successfull recruiting all areas, retain T.J. (he doesn't have any choice first year), has an alumni in mind for second/third assistant. Answered all questions head on. Was well prepared. I spoke with alumni who played juniors for him and they say he's "the guy".
My guess is about 75 people there. Anyone got another guess?
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Seawolf Fan said:
I spoke with alumni who played juniors for him and they say he's "the guy"
Click to expand...

I saw a blip of the event on tv and it looked pretty crowded. Corbett seemed like he was sincere about turning our program around.. Guess all four of them will say something similar to that effect.

Thanks for stopping in! You'll be doing it three more times, right? :D;)
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Whoever is hired should have Dennis Sorenson in mind for the assistant opening. I have no idea if Dennis would be interested but his ties to the local hockey community for recruiting top kids would be a step forward. If he isn't the alumni that Corbett is hinting about I'd be surprised but I think there are others that would bring the same cachet to the position. Corey Millen of course comes to mind ... he obviously is a Minnesota Alum but has craploads of years tied to the Anchorage hockey scene and who knows with his Minnesota resume' could find a kid or two from there as well. Keith Morris wouldn't be a bad choice either ... there are several other names that I could throw out which would also be helpful recruiting local kids.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

As an aside to all this discussion .... Michael Stenerson led the Surrey Eagles to the league playoff championship with 8 goals and 12 assists in 17 games. Those totals were #1 in the league. Former Seawolf Sam Mellor had 4 goals and 9 assists in 15 playoff games for runner-up Penticton. Uncommitted Surrey Eagles forward Brady Shaw scored 32 goals with 29 assists in 42 games this past season. I know the Seawolves probably don't need another forward for next year but this Brady kid is 20 and somebody in D1 should get on him.
 
uaafanblog said:
As an aside to all this discussion .... Michael Stenerson led the Surrey Eagles to the league playoff championship with 8 goals and 12 assists in 17 games. Those totals were #1 in the league. Former Seawolf Sam Mellor had 4 goals and 9 assists in 15 playoff games for runner-up Penticton. Uncommitted Surrey Eagles forward Brady Shaw scored 32 goals with 29 assists in 42 games this past season. I know the Seawolves probably don't need another forward for next year but this Brady kid is 20 and somebody in D1 should get on him.
Click to expand...

Brady Shaw decommitted from Bentley last week. I'm sure many big time D1's are on him...
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

No...but he is part of the problem and is the only one with the title Athletic Director. He has made enough blunders to be shown the door. The 12th ranking is great! It's really great to see such strong Track and Field teams in Alaska. It's just a natural fit. A golf team should next...cheap individual sport that has equal men and women playing. Should solve his Title IX issues.

Cobb was given a blank check to come up with a facility meet all the needs of the university, he chose to leave ice out of the new arena. 80 mil proposal went o 109mill and didn't meet the needs of the university. --Dre
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

drcobbmustgonow said:
No...but he is part of the problem and is the only one with the title Athletic Director. He has made enough blunders to be shown the door. The 12th ranking is great! It's really great to see such strong Track and Field teams in Alaska. It's just a natural fit. A golf team should next...cheap individual sport that has equal men and women playing. Should solve his Title IX issues.

Cobb was given a blank check to come up with a facility meet all the needs of the university, he chose to leave ice out of the new arena. 80 mil proposal went o 109mill and didn't meet the needs of the university. --Dre
Click to expand...
The focus of this site is college hockey. My focus is UAA Hockey. Believe it or not there are sports other than hockey competing for a finite number of dollars. Are there Title IX issues? I'm not sure however I'm guessing the ladies Division 1 Gymnastics program is to balance the mens hockey program. Not a loaded question, what would you suggest Dr. Cobb do to solve "HIS" Title IX issues? I don't see all the blunders you see Dr. Cobb making. Everyone was happy with the Talafous hire.Then he turned out to be a jerk with a boring brand of hockey. However at the time of his hire the hockey community was glad to get him. People were overjoyed with the Hill hire. Let's cut to the chase on Hill. He left because his wife HATED Alaska. He said as he departed that Alaska was impossible to recruit to. And the Minnesota job paid as much or more. Shyiak was the logical choice at the time. He tried to mold the players to his system and it didn't work.
Most of Dr. Cobbs problems are OUR problems. Simply put not enough money to compete at the highest level of college hockey.
Our facilities suck. Need more money. Our coaches (plural) salaries are too low to attract elite prospects. Need more money. Title IX problems. Need more money.
We should be more competitive in the new league because the need for money will not be as great as it was to compete with the Minnesotas, North Dakotas, Wisconsins, Denvers, etc.
I liked what Corbett said last night about the facilities are what they are. Deal with it. Everybody wants "more" including him.
Lets get off the fire Dr. Cobb bandwagon (it aint gonna happen) wasting our energies and get on our legislature to fund our university at the level it deserves.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Seawolf Fan said:
The focus of this site is college hockey. My focus is UAA Hockey. Believe it or not there are sports other than hockey competing for a finite number of dollars. Are there Title IX issues? I'm not sure however I'm guessing the ladies Division 1 Gymnastics program is to balance the mens hockey program. Not a loaded question, what would you suggest Dr. Cobb do to solve "HIS" Title IX issues? I don't see all the blunders you see Dr. Cobb making. Everyone was happy with the Talafous hire.Then he turned out to be a jerk with a boring brand of hockey. However at the time of his hire the hockey community was glad to get him. People were overjoyed with the Hill hire. Let's cut to the chase on Hill. He left because his wife HATED Alaska. He said as he departed that Alaska was impossible to recruit to. And the Minnesota job paid as much or more. Shyiak was the logical choice at the time. He tried to mold the players to his system and it didn't work.
Most of Dr. Cobbs problems are OUR problems. Simply put not enough money to compete at the highest level of college hockey.
Our facilities suck. Need more money. Our coaches (plural) salaries are too low to attract elite prospects. Need more money. Title IX problems. Need more money.
We should be more competitive in the new league because the need for money will not be as great as it was to compete with the Minnesotas, North Dakotas, Wisconsins, Denvers, etc.
I liked what Corbett said last night about the facilities are what they are. Deal with it. Everybody wants "more" including him.
Lets get off the fire Dr. Cobb bandwagon (it aint gonna happen) wasting our energies and get on our legislature to fund our university at the level it deserves.
Click to expand...

Well, I think like you said it comes down to money!
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Seawolf Fan said:
Most of Dr. Cobbs problems are OUR problems. Simply put not enough money to compete at the highest level of college hockey.
Our facilities suck. Need more money. Our coaches (plural) salaries are too low to attract elite prospects. Need more money. Title IX problems. Need more money.
We should be more competitive in the new league because the need for money will not be as great as it was to compete with the Minnesotas, North Dakotas, Wisconsins, Denvers, etc.
I liked what Corbett said last night about the facilities are what they are. Deal with it. Everybody wants "more" including him.
Lets get off the fire Dr. Cobb bandwagon (it aint gonna happen) wasting our energies and get on our legislature to fund our university at the level it deserves.
Click to expand...
This pretty well sums it up. Need to get on your Legislature's case and tell them because to them …no news is good news. They respond to the masses. If everybody contacted them by phone or email or writing a letter or postcard it will make them get off the sofa bed in their office and deal with it.
As they say............. If not part of the solution you are part of the problem.
 
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

I'll just say this one more time another way. Do the Cobb-haters really think that someone 3 rungs down from the real leadership at UAA is "given a blank check"? No. He isn't. Cobb's title is "Director of Athletics" ... He is one of NINE department heads working for Bill Spindle who is one of SIX Vice-Channcellor's working for the President. Does that help you understand the level of real power that Cobb doesn't have? There is no doubt he has a big say in what happens in his department and that his views are heard up the chain. But when push comes to shove the guy TAKES marching orders and marches. He categorically does not decide how 109 million dollars is spent. No single person at UAA does. Everything there is a cluster-**** mish-mash of probably a dozen people coming to a consensus on a big decision that impacts the university and community in the long term while University Presidents come and go seemingly every 4 years.

Here's why Cobb AINT GOIN NOWHERE ... He does what everyone above him TELLS him to do and NEVER puts the responsibility on THEM. At any point during this whole "no ice in the new facility" argument came up he certainly could have said "My hands are tied. This project was defined university-wide and not by the Athletic Department." But did/does he say that? No. Why? Because he's a good employee. Don't even concern yourself with UAA's D2 rise in Director's Cup standings and Cobb would still be "their boy". If I wrote a letter to Tom Case it would simply say, "Move the office of Athletic Director out from under the Deparment of Administration to the Vice-Chancellor level. Give your AD some autonomy and responsibility. Flatten your organization chart and empower your employees."

So yeah, forget about Cobb getting fired. That's so far from happening as to be a full on pipe dream.
 
Last edited:
Re: UAA Seawolves offseason thread- time for change

Seawolf Fan said:
Corbett said all the right things: fast, freewheeling game, no "system" just responsibilities, did I mention more speed?, guys need to want to wear the sweater, the facilities are what they are - deal with it, players and coaches involved in the community, don't step on any alumni financial toes, want high intensity, get the players involved with the students, no prima donnas, small steps, keep moving forward, did I mention more speed?, etc. etc. not a real polished speaker, however said all the right things and was convincing saying most of them.
I liked the guy and was suitably impressed with him and what he said. The other applicants are going to have to go some to measure up.
Click to expand...

He's right, the facilities "are what they are" - for now. I hope that doesn't mean he'll be satisfied with the Sully over the long term. I know that Shyiak was very ticked that the new arena didn't include hockey (because I spoke with him about that at the preseason picnic) ... he didn't even want his players to use the new facility for workouts, conditioning, etc. Instead he wanted the Wells Fargo to be completely renovated for hockey alone. That never set well with me.

I just watched the recap of the meet & greet on channel 2, and Corbett mentioned he will take advantage of the new sports arena - which the hockey team will use for conditioning - as a positive recruiting tool, and that is how I have always viewed it as well. I was so glad to hear that!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top