Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Oh really.
Perhaps you've heard of the United States Military Academy?
Powers &8^]
Oh really.
Perhaps you've heard of the United States Military Academy?
Powers &8^]
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UConn to apply to Hockey East
- Thread starter KnightsOfTheRound
- Start date
TigerFan86-87
R!!!!...I!!!!!...T!!!!!!
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
heard of both, and both left a higher performing conference to loin the less competitive AHA...because they couldn't compete at the higher level. For lots of good reasons I might say. but still they would both struggle mightily to be competitive in Hockey East long term and that's the point I think.
heard of both, and both left a higher performing conference to loin the less competitive AHA...because they couldn't compete at the higher level. For lots of good reasons I might say. but still they would both struggle mightily to be competitive in Hockey East long term and that's the point I think.
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
You've obviously not been following the UNH recruiting thread
You've obviously not been following the UNH recruiting thread
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
True. Should I?
You've obviously not been following the UNH recruiting thread
True. Should I?
Flashy Man
Misfit Emeritus
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Just wait we could end up with this alignment.
Super AHA
<iframe width='500' height='300' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AjH3tQnNYOKtdF9HSC1scnY2T3NSQ3VjNkpMVGh0cXc&single=true&gid=0&output=html&widget=true'></iframe>
Just wait we could end up with this alignment.
Super AHA
<iframe width='500' height='300' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AjH3tQnNYOKtdF9HSC1scnY2T3NSQ3VjNkpMVGh0cXc&single=true&gid=0&output=html&widget=true'></iframe>
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Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
B) Where did all of those N-10 teams come from?
C) Rensselaer
A) What happened to Sacred Heart?Just wait we could end up with this alignment.
Super AHA
<iframe width='500' height='300' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AjH3tQnNYOKtdF9HSC1scnY2T3NSQ3VjNkpMVGh0cXc&output=html&widget=true'></iframe>
B) Where did all of those N-10 teams come from?
C) Rensselaer
Flashy Man
Misfit Emeritus
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
The four member D2 hockey conference, heck if AIC can afford it, why can't the other four? Automatic qualifier to boot.
The four member D2 hockey conference, heck if AIC can afford it, why can't the other four? Automatic qualifier to boot.
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
you are out of your mind!!!! lowell belongs in hockey east!!
you are out of your mind!!!! lowell belongs in hockey east!!
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
I don't care where one fan's random guess on an extraordinarily unlikely realignment places UML.
I made my comments before Flashy Man took UML and Mack out of HEA and put them in the N-10.
I don't care where one fan's random guess on an extraordinarily unlikely realignment places UML.
FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
When they tried to kick PROVICED} out of Hockey Rast, they decided to use veto power and kick out FML instead.
When they tried to kick PROVICED} out of Hockey Rast, they decided to use veto power and kick out FML instead.
Flashy Man
Misfit Emeritus
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
I'm glad some of you think I'm serious, however I'm not at all.
I'm glad some of you think I'm serious, however I'm not at all.
Fishman'81
Black Bear since D-2
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
I grew up in the Air Force and am a big fan to this day. (Especially in terms of football.)
And I'll agree that any service academy brings to the table a much broader audience than does an RPI, or a Cornell, or a Harvard... But if HE had the choice of cherry-picking any D-1 school from our entire nation, UConn would still be the best choice on the basis of it's commitment to athletics and it's proximity, IMO.
I grew up in the Air Force and am a big fan to this day. (Especially in terms of football.)
And I'll agree that any service academy brings to the table a much broader audience than does an RPI, or a Cornell, or a Harvard... But if HE had the choice of cherry-picking any D-1 school from our entire nation, UConn would still be the best choice on the basis of it's commitment to athletics and it's proximity, IMO.
TigerFan86-87
R!!!!...I!!!!!...T!!!!!!
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
I don't disagree with any of that. I was merely replying to your statement that "UConn is the only AHA program that can develop any national interest" in and of itself, not relative to the future of HEA.
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
First, the disclaimers- I have my undergraduate degree from RPI and a graduate degree from UConn. I haven't missed an RPI hockey game in 11 seasons (home and away) so there shouldn't be any doubt where my loyalty lies. I 've also lived in CT my whole life with the exception of my 4 years in Troy. I was also devastated when our Whalers left for Raleigh. With that perspective, I frankly cannot ever envision UConn hockey having much of a following. CT is very oriented toward major league professional sports; minor league hockey has never really caught on. Obviously, UConn basketball (men and women) are huge and the exception. UConn soccer is consistently near the top in the country in attendance, 4,000 per game, but still a minor sport. The AHL teams in CT have poor attendance. As far as college hockey goes, Yale has a loyal following because the New Haven area has a long history of support for hockey. Quinnipiac has decent support and arguably would be a better candidate for HE than UConn. Without much of a hockey heritage UConn would not compete for either fans or recruits in HE going up against BC and BU.
First, the disclaimers- I have my undergraduate degree from RPI and a graduate degree from UConn. I haven't missed an RPI hockey game in 11 seasons (home and away) so there shouldn't be any doubt where my loyalty lies. I 've also lived in CT my whole life with the exception of my 4 years in Troy. I was also devastated when our Whalers left for Raleigh. With that perspective, I frankly cannot ever envision UConn hockey having much of a following. CT is very oriented toward major league professional sports; minor league hockey has never really caught on. Obviously, UConn basketball (men and women) are huge and the exception. UConn soccer is consistently near the top in the country in attendance, 4,000 per game, but still a minor sport. The AHL teams in CT have poor attendance. As far as college hockey goes, Yale has a loyal following because the New Haven area has a long history of support for hockey. Quinnipiac has decent support and arguably would be a better candidate for HE than UConn. Without much of a hockey heritage UConn would not compete for either fans or recruits in HE going up against BC and BU.
Fishman'81
Black Bear since D-2
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
Comparing a potentially successful UConn program to an AHL team is apples/oranges, IMO.
Minor-league professional sports at any level are known to all to be no more than a stepping-stone for the guys suiting-up. The prospect of continuity is just not there, and very little loyalty to the team exists, either from the players or the fans... College sports don't work the same way.
I have no doubt that UConn will commit enough resources to their hockey program to field a good team very soon, if they land in a high profile conference such as HE. (And they'll probably displace my beloved Maine in the process.)
Comparing a potentially successful UConn program to an AHL team is apples/oranges, IMO.
Minor-league professional sports at any level are known to all to be no more than a stepping-stone for the guys suiting-up. The prospect of continuity is just not there, and very little loyalty to the team exists, either from the players or the fans... College sports don't work the same way.
I have no doubt that UConn will commit enough resources to their hockey program to field a good team very soon, if they land in a high profile conference such as HE. (And they'll probably displace my beloved Maine in the process.)
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Patman
Rodent of Unusual Size
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
I have some doubts... but that being said, college hockey is a different animal... there could be an issue if UConn tries to run its pro-sports model like it has with football and basketball. Historically, UConn's athletic office has believed that they are the reason they are successful... discounting their own fans and culture creation. Hockey is much more of an emotional animal. That's why I believe it has to be done on campus or nothing else.
I have some doubts... but that being said, college hockey is a different animal... there could be an issue if UConn tries to run its pro-sports model like it has with football and basketball. Historically, UConn's athletic office has believed that they are the reason they are successful... discounting their own fans and culture creation. Hockey is much more of an emotional animal. That's why I believe it has to be done on campus or nothing else.
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
bgtrpi, UCONN doesn't need to compete for talent with BC and BU immediately. that should be the goal for year 5 or 10, just like it is for every other Hockey East member. I'm sure PC doesn't go into the season saying to themselves, "well, we can't compete with BC or BU so we'll play for 3rd place." Starting out they need to compete for talent with PC, UMass-Amherst, UMass-Lowell. I think over time they can and will do that. Longer term we'll see. The other thing is UCONN is much more of a "brand" than Quinnipiac for sure, and even Yale as far as athletics go. While it isn't a hockey brand right now, in Hockey East it can become one. Tehy aren't going to draw 16,000 at the XL Center like the basketball team sometimes does. But 3000-5000 eventually? Not that difficult.
But Patman, UCONN has also been successful with soccer and more recently baseball, I actually htink that their model is pretty good and can work with hockey to a degree. I do think on-campus would be highly preferable but I think the two home model will probably work ok, too. maybe not quite a well, but UCONN hasn't ever focused its programs on campus. they've always been willing to play games in Hartford in any sport. if there were a quality soccer pitch there, they'd play soccer games there too. the baseball team is playing games in both Nortwich and New Britain. Both mens and womens basketball play in Hartford.
bgtrpi, UCONN doesn't need to compete for talent with BC and BU immediately. that should be the goal for year 5 or 10, just like it is for every other Hockey East member. I'm sure PC doesn't go into the season saying to themselves, "well, we can't compete with BC or BU so we'll play for 3rd place." Starting out they need to compete for talent with PC, UMass-Amherst, UMass-Lowell. I think over time they can and will do that. Longer term we'll see. The other thing is UCONN is much more of a "brand" than Quinnipiac for sure, and even Yale as far as athletics go. While it isn't a hockey brand right now, in Hockey East it can become one. Tehy aren't going to draw 16,000 at the XL Center like the basketball team sometimes does. But 3000-5000 eventually? Not that difficult.
Patman
Rodent of Unusual Size
Re: UConn to apply to Hockey East
I agree that UConn soccer is one of the most successful programs in the nation... top 3 in attendance IIRC... what I'm saying is that you can't plop down into downtown HFD and expect success.
edit: and I'd still say that UConn is terrible at fan relations... I don't know what he's up to nowadays, but they should have hired Dale Nosel (the painted guy from a few years back) just on enthusiasm alone.
I agree that UConn soccer is one of the most successful programs in the nation... top 3 in attendance IIRC... what I'm saying is that you can't plop down into downtown HFD and expect success.
edit: and I'd still say that UConn is terrible at fan relations... I don't know what he's up to nowadays, but they should have hired Dale Nosel (the painted guy from a few years back) just on enthusiasm alone.