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UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

Re: Western Michigan 7, UAH 1

Re: Western Michigan 7, UAH 1

UAHStatman said:
This from Paul McCann, PA voice of the Nashville Predators: "UAH - What's the Holdup?"
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=38806
Click to expand...

From the article: "The group has found that a conference affiliation is within the university’s grasp, all they have to do is apply."

So there is an open spot on the table for the Chargers somewhere, all they have to do is apply? Come on Interim Prez and AD, get with it..........
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

http://blog.al.com/times-views/2011/10/hockey_silence_not_good_immigr.html

Unedited Version:


>Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 14:57:14 -0500
>To: letters@htimes.com
>From: "T. N. Long" <tnlong@hiwaay.net>
>Subject: UAH HOCKEY EXECUTIONERS
>
>UAH HOCKEY EXECUTIONERS
>
>UAH Athletic Director E. J. Brophy spoke to the Huntsville Rotary Club at
>the VBC on Tuesday 10/04. He had the audacity to not even utter the word
>"hockey" once during his prepared remarks. His completely ignoring the
>subject was a "slap in the face" to the Huntsville community. A sometimes
>contentious question session obviously dominated by the hockey subject
>followed. Questions had to be crafted to avoid Brophy's strategy of
>minimizing the subject with yes/no answers. The salient point that
>followed is that Malcolm Portera has ordered him (since his arrival in
>April) to take no initiative at all on the hockey subject and that
>Portera will announce his decision during one of his final visits to
>Huntsville. That negative "decision" has been obvious for sometime given
>that no outward initiatives have been made to preserve the historic
>nationally recognized program. Brophy did reveal in his remarks that his
>home in Birmingham has yet to sell. Given the move afoot to begin ouster
>of Portera, Altenkirch, and Brophy once the D-1 program is killed, Brophy
>would be wise to not sell it. Given the unanswered questions regarding
>Portera's & Altenkirch's roles in UAH's and Huntsville's loss of the
>National Solar Observatory bid and regarding their personal friendships,
>those ousters may not be that hard to accomplish. The basic problem is
>that three outsiders who have no proven interest in Huntsville itself are
>(and have been) making significant decisions that will negatively affect
>our community.
 
Re: Western Michigan 7, UAH 1

Re: Western Michigan 7, UAH 1

beaverhockeyfan said:
From the article: "The group has found that a conference affiliation is within the university’s grasp, all they have to do is apply."

So there is an open spot on the table for the Chargers somewhere, all they have to do is apply? Come on Interim Prez and AD, get with it..........
Click to expand...

That would be nice, but I'm wondering what confernence they are referring to? Seems like at this point, at best UAH has to hope that Hockey East poaches an ECAC team, and then ECAC takes RIT. I don't think if ECAC takes Holy Cross (the other likely candidate), that the AHA will replace them with a team more west.
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

Well, I get the distinct impression that this is one huge depressing season with the impending guillotine teetering overhead with the slightest bit of material holding it in place. I think the guys feel the same way, sorry to say. This should have been a great year, with the Tampa Frozen Four, with the (supposed) availability for a conference affiliation, with so much potential in the future... I get the sense that no matter what Nathan Bowen can put together, the powers that be have no desire to listen; and everyone knows it. Feh.
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

I can't wait until Friday. At least the games take my mind off the uncertain future, even if we haven't won yet.

Charge On! Beat Air Force!
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

Chargers host Air Force on Military Appreciation Weekend
Active military and veterans and their families get in free for both nights. Let's hear ya, Redstone! :)
http://www.uahchargers.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1862

UAH student government votes to keep hockey at Division I level
If only it were that easy. Still, it's better than not.
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/10/uah_students_vote_to_keep_hock.html

Jared Ross is on the USA Men's Select Team roster for the Deutschland Cup next month in Munich
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_01_02&id=308128

Charge On!
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

Huntsville City Councilman Bill Kling seeking $50,000 for UAH hockey program
(Steven Doyle, The Huntsville Times)
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/10/huntsville_city_councilman_bil_2.html

Nice gesture by Bill Kling -- it'll be interesting to see if it actually happens. Not sure where Ray Garner got the "$1.5 million per year" figure to stay Division I (although one might hazard a guess).

Quote from the story:

Nathan Bowen, a 2000 UAH hockey alum and a leader in private efforts to raise money to support the program, said he expects to learn Portera's decision during a meeting on Tuesday. He said the city has already been supportive of the cause to keep D1 hockey, but a financial carrot could help.

"I hope it's not too late," Bowen said of Kling's proposal for the city to chip in money. "The clock obviously is ticking on this."
Click to expand...
 
UAH 1, Air Force 1 (Final-OT)

UAH 1, Air Force 1 (Final-OT)

Clarke Saunders made 55 (!) saves as UAH finally doesn't lose.

Chargers outshot 56-29. Both goals were scored on the power play (and for UAH, they finally get a goal with the extra attacker).

Air Force radio play-by-play announcer said that Coach Luongo should by Saunders a steak. Sure sounds like it.
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

UAHStatman said:
Huntsville City Councilman Bill Kling seeking $50,000 for UAH hockey program
(Steven Doyle, The Huntsville Times)
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/10/huntsville_city_councilman_bil_2.html

Nice gesture by Bill Kling -- it'll be interesting to see if it actually happens. Not sure where Ray Garner got the "$1.5 million per year" figure to stay Division I (although one might hazard a guess).
Click to expand...

Everything I've heard about a WCHA application fee is $50k/3yrs. Funny how that lines up. As for the $1.5MM number, I think that's been asked for in terms of what an average NCAA D-I program spends. I would've thought more like $1.3MM.

I don't expect anything good at this point, and I'm beyond blowing sunshine. The best thing we can hope for is what Nathan has repeatedly asked for: a three-year stay where we work to keep the program going while we do the earnest fundraising that we should have been doing all along.

---

As for tonight, the SOG got revised to 53, so Clarkie was six off of his unbelievable UNO performance last year. I feel like he was giving up a few too many rebounds, hence the second-chances, but he was stopping everything that the D didn't. I would have liked for the O to score the chances that they had, especially the crease-sitting puck Mac Roy missed putting in the net. I know that he wishes that it had gone in one hell of a lot more than I do. [If you read this, Mac, you have my number and can yell at me at 3am for my stupid-*** comments.] These guys know that the situation is grim, but they're still playing hard, dammit. I am glad to see that, because I wouldn't blame them if they just went through the motions.

GFM
 
Re: Western Michigan 7, UAH 1

Re: Western Michigan 7, UAH 1

UAHStatman said:
This from Paul McCann, PA voice of the Nashville Predators: "UAH - What's the Holdup?"
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=38806
Click to expand...

This from Paul today:

A new Chancellor takes over at the end of this week. As of Friday, Dr. Portera can slink back off to whatever part of Alabama he came from and pass off a university that, quite frankly, is worse than when he found it… a thirty year tradition of hockey gone with the stroke of a pen. Congratulations Doctor… I hope you are happy with the decision you made, I hope you are pleased that you negatively impacted the lives of these fine student athletes. I hope you can rest well knowing that you ripped out a big piece of not just the UAH community, but the entire Huntsville area with one uninformed and ill-reasoned decision.
Click to expand...
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

Well, as a UAH alumnus (Class of 74) and UAH Hockey fan and supporter since the first season (79-80), all I can say is @#%**&^$#%$^*()((&^%$#@@!@%&!!!

Guido should pay a visit to Portera... A person with a completely personal vendetta against all things UAH and a track record to prove it. A series of unfortunate events led to the perfect storm that allowed Portera to kill a storied program all while paying lip-service to it. Not the least of which was the demise of the CHA and the rejection by the CCHA (mostly by Anastos' refusal to support us). There is a huge difference in the way Bruce McLeod handled the situation resulting from the CHA's demise compared to Anastos. Losing the CHA as a route to the NCAA's and losing the CCHA as a home has cost us dearly in recruiting which is obvious to long time watchers of this program. Of course, had we not been in this vulnerable position, we would not have been so easy to kill.

Other factors were the firing of a UAH President who totally supported DI hockey and what it could do for a university and whose vision for UAH to become "big-time" was pushed a little, well, a lot too fast ticking off students and faculty alike. Then, the death of our AD who worked hard for the moment we could find a home and security. Also, the loss of the only member of the UA Board from UAH due to realignment didn't help. The UA Board hired a firm to find a new president for UAH while the Chancellor (Portera) self-appointed himself to Interim President (which at the time seemed just fine). Then, all of a sudden he announced that a complete review of the UAH Athletics Department would be undertaken and that no sport would be exempt and that hockey may not be sustainable (the first clue). "Outside" people were brought in to analyze the athletics department, none of which knew a thing about hockey. He also announced that the "decision" would be his and his alone and that he would make it before the new president took office on November 1, 2011. When have you ever seen an Interim-President do anything other than maintain the status-quo until the permanent president takes office? Also, as far as I know, the only thing Portera did while Interim-President was kill our beloved hockey team.

The appearances of propriety were barely kept visible as it became clearly apparent that the "which-hunt" had begun. Trips were taken in the name of seeing if hockey could be sustained but the truth be known, you get the answers you want by asking the "right" questions. For example: Which of the following questions do you think gives you the ammunition to kill a program on a financial basis?
1. What does it take ($) to run a "viable" DI hockey program?
2. What does it take ($)to run a "Highly Competitive" (read that as near-elite) DI hockey program?
Now, before you answer that question keep in mind that this was asked of a currently "Highly Competitive" program with their own on-campus rink that included the costs of running the building etc. (Think in terms of, uh, like Miami for example). You can also ask that same question of a league commissioner(s) and get a similar answer. You can also NOT ask pertinent questions and form your own conclusions (since refuted by said commissioner). In other words, if you want to kill a program, lies always get in the way of the truth. UAH, the red-headed step-child of the UA system and obviously hated by Portera got stomped on once again. His statement that he's not sure you can even run a DI program in a DII athletic department shows his complete lack of understanding of the subject as probably half, if not more, of the DI hockey programs in existance are run out of DII athletic departments. In-fact, we've been doing it for years and years!

There is a littany of examples of Portera's obstruction of UAH doing or getting anything of substance or appearing on the national stage. Having a DI program at "little" UAH and being nationally known as the "Hockey Capital of the South" has been a thorn in his side for years. He has finally pulled it out without a bit of thought to the student-athletes, students, fans, community, or community leaders to include the Chamber of Commerce that has used UAH hockey as a recruiting tool for many years.

Back to the president search, a perfect potential president was found right in our own institution (Dr. Griffin sp?) but suddenly, during the search by the hired company Portera announces his hand-picked person for President. A person that worked for Portera at Mississippi State. What a coincidence, a perfect Portera puppet. Game over for president. Presidential head-hunter company, go home. Now lets hire a new AD and tell him that he can't do a single thing to promote UAH hockey until the final decision is made. A decision that, in our hearts, we knew was already made when the hockey analysis was announced. It was hard to believe but your gut kept screaming at you anyway... as it turns out, with good reason.

Portera telling us that hockey would still be a prominent sport for UAH at the club level is a statement that shows his complete and utter lack of understanding of just what this sport is!!! That is tantamount to turning the Crimson Tide (his sacred cow) into a touch-football program and telling Tide fans that its still significant!!!! Can you actually believe that? Further misunderstanding of hockey occured at the last coach's luncheon when the new AD said that if the decision to drop DI hockey came to be (prophetic, huh?) that he would get right on "hiring a coach and recruiting players"??? When is the last time you saw an athletic department involved in a club sport? I'd be shocked if the club team isn't relegated to the Iceplex. After DI, I don't see the VBC opening their arms to what amounts to high school hockey.

Yes fellow college hockey fans, a single man totally unconnected to the school, community, and area, with an obvious agenda, snubbed civic and business leaders, fans, the rest of the administration, students and faculty, and most of all the student-athletes, succeeded in killing the only DI hockey program south of the Mason-Dixon line. A program with 5 National Championships, several regular season championships, 2 CHA Tournament Championships, 2 NCAA Tournament appearances, Hobey Baker candidates, and 3 players to the NHL. All in the guise of finances. The same person who thinks a $75 million dollar stadium for UAB football is financially wise when UAH hockey has outdrawn UAB football on occasion!

Personally, I'm devastated. I've stayed quiet during this whole ordeal as I would have probably got myself into trouble saying what I really thought. I will always remember the great fans from other teams that I have met over the years on the road with the team and here in our own barn. I finally ended up being the only person to attend each and every CHA Tournament and tournament game. Most of you that know me recognize me as the photo-geek shooting all things UAH and for ten years CHA. I've met some great fans, parents, trainers, equipment managers, coaches, etc. and will always cherish those memories. While I still have this final season to shoot, this is pretty much my farewell... Peace out!
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

All right, let's get back to some games and not talk about whether we have a program after this year. Friday at 7, Saturday at 3. Not a bad way to spend New Year's Eve, eh?

GFM <-- going to practice this week.
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

gfmorris said:
All right, let's get back to some games and not talk about whether we have a program after this year. Friday at 7, Saturday at 3. Not a bad way to spend New Year's Eve, eh?

GFM <-- going to practice this week.
Click to expand...

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never come to mind? Not, really. We're playing Mercyhurst.

I've been waiting all week for this. :D

CHARGE ON!

Michael
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

tnlong said:
UAH 3 - Denver 2

http://www.uahchargers.com/news/2012/1/6/MHOCKEY_0106122515.aspx

http://www.uscho.com/recaps/2012/01/06/roy-scores-two-as-alabama-huntsville-stuns-denver/
Click to expand...

Fabulous. If there's anything to be said about this year's team, with all the issues regarding whether the program has a future and with victories difficult to come by, is that they work hard. And last night, it really paid off. :)

Congrats to Mac, Clarke, Coach Luongo and the whole team!
 
Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

Way to go.

My wife and I "wasted" a drive from Omaha to Nashville to see two "guaranteed" wins against UAH. My best friend, who lives in Birmingham, AL (who is from Norfolk, NE), drove up with his wife and met us there to to go the worst attended games of all time with us.

I'm glad you guys found somebody else to beat up on besides us.

Any chance you can get Saunders to stay?

Coach Blais said he felt we owed it to you to play you. I hope our benevolence is at an end.
 
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