Re: UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.
You guys are really down on yourselves. It's one part frustrating and one part sad.
I have no connections within AHA and I don't know if they would agree with me at all. However, we're about to be down a team in the conference and I'm sure they don't want an odd-team league for any period of time. The only other option out there is Navy..
Because no one wants to be in a 13-team conference. How many times do I have to repeat myself?
Powers &8^]
We understand that neither the WCHA or Atlantic wants an odd number of teams. But the CCHA, which decided to play with 11 for two seasons, has proved that leagues aren't going to bring in a team just to get to have an even number. The WCHA has also said that while getting to 10 is preferrable, they'll only accept UAH (or anyone else) under the right circumstances. We simply can't assume that Atlantic Hockey will be any different.
We can talk about leagues needing to have an even number of teams until we're blue in the face, but in those meetings between UAH and league officials, it's not going to matter. UAH has to do more than show it can take up a space to make it worth their while.
I'm sorry if this sounds frustrated and sad, but it's the reality. It's been frustrating and sad for UAH supporters for three years now.
We do have hope thanks Nathan Bowen and his team, and the support of our new president, Dr. Altenkirch. I think UAH is showing a commitment to the program. So I'm
very cautiously optimistic the WCHA will let us in, but there's still work to do, and minds to sway. Hopefully Dr. Altenkirch, Dr. Brophy and Coach Luongo are swaying some minds in Tampa right now.
Thanks for trying to be encouraging. I, for one, will at least try to sound positive, even if we're all gonna die and stuff.
