UNH Men's Hockey 2022 Off Season Thread- Goodbye Lake Whitt!

[wildcatdc]

Not sure how to chat about something I know little about. Wildcatdc, any thoughts?

Very pleased…. Glad we took our time, whittled it down from ~40, to a dozen, to several finalists, then on-campus interviews, then landed the best one, IMO.

- obviously a smart cookie
- a LEADER, which people on this board have been calling for forever now. Not just in her day job, but in the various committees and boards she serves on.
- experience at the highest level of college athletics (FSU being the obvious one, but nice to see three other D1 roles as well, all arguably at UNH levels or higher)
- Went to and worked at a D1 hockey school (this was a bigger challenge than you might imagine, when you take into account a desire to land a top candidate. That Venn diagram intersection was a VERY lonely one)
- was voted one of the top assistant AD’s in the nation

i agree with the sentiment that anyone thinking the installation of a new AD has us back in the frozen 4 in three years is just silly. That stated, I get the sense that she has a bias for action and will hopefully bring an expectation of performance that may have been lacking in the past.

One other intangible is that she is leaving her alma mater, which I’m sure is a very comfortable situation, to come to a much less prestigious institution, with huge challenges ahead, and is embracing that. Someone looking to cool their heels doesn’t do that. More like someone who wants to face the issues head on. We can certainly use that kind of reinvigoration.

I’m glad the process is done - there were MANY people involved, internally and externally, and I’m proud of how seriously the administration and others took this placement.

Looking forward to her having big success with UNH. We could all use it….

 

[HockeyRef]

Very pleased…. Glad we took our time, whittled it down from ~40, to a dozen, to several finalists, then on-campus interviews, then landed the best one, IMO.

- obviously a smart cookie
- a LEADER, which people on this board have been calling for forever now. Not just in her day job, but in the various committees and boards she serves on.
- experience at the highest level of college athletics (FSU being the obvious one, but nice to see three other D1 roles as well, all arguably at UNH levels or higher)
- Went to and worked at a D1 hockey school (this was a bigger challenge than you might imagine, when you take into account a desire to land a top candidate. That Venn diagram intersection was a VERY lonely one)
- was voted one of the top assistant AD’s in the nation

i agree with the sentiment that anyone thinking the installation of a new AD has us back in the frozen 4 in three years is just silly. That stated, I get the sense that she has a bias for action and will hopefully bring an expectation of performance that may have been lacking in the past.

One other intangible is that she is leaving her alma mater, which I’m sure is a very comfortable situation, to come to a much less prestigious institution, with huge challenges ahead, and is embracing that. Someone looking to cool their heels doesn’t do that. More like someone who wants to face the issues head on. We can certainly use that kind of reinvigoration.

I’m glad the process is done - there were MANY people involved, internally and externally, and I’m proud of how seriously the administration and others took this placement.

Looking forward to her having big success with UNH. We could all use it….

Thanks for your synopsis (and work) regarding Dr. Rich's strong points 'dc ....hardly seems underwhelming to me. Anyway...she does have a lot of work ahead of her, and, working with a school so far less supported monetarily will be indeed, a challenge. Onward!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Punching above their weight? Saint Anselm beat Dartmouth AND Maine last year... UNH against both programs? 1-3.

Also, Franklin Pierce was the NEWHA champion... and UNH tied the Ravens, 3-3.

Hey HH, I'm on your side in this debate. Most of the other folks on here think St. A's et als would be cannon fodder for UNH, women's OR men's teams. There's no doubt that St. A's putting those schools on their schedule AND winning a few IS exactly what I called it - punching above their weight. St. A's - little school in Goffstown; a fraction of the size of the two you cited.

I welcome the emergence of ANY NH-based college hockey program to challenge the fat cats in Hanover and Durham. I want to see a NH version of Boston's Beanpot. The better you guys play, the more likely that scenario becomes. Women's first if necessary, and eventually the Men's programs to follow. Hope I live long enough to see it. Keep up the good work!!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Seems like such an underwhelming choice. Months and month of searching culminates in Allison Rich? Well at least it sounds like we don't have to worry about breaking any rules.

I have to admit, this is my initial reaction as well; Dan's post also touches on some shared areas of concern. There are a lot of credentials I've seen cited today, but notoriously glaring by its absence is any direct experience in playing OR coaching in a competitive environment. In short, we've hired a lawyer who has deep experience in administrative issues, and purportedly has a "bias towards action". Well, take it from someone who knows, the timeline for what is "action" is much longer when in administrative settings than in competitive sports settings.

One of the "pros" 'dc raised that allows me to take some optimism into the "Dr. Allison Rich Experience" (DARE?) is that she has chosen to leave a pretty cushy job at her alma mater to take on this job. I'd be interested to know the answer to "why?" Only guessing, but perhaps the road forward at Princeton is blocked, and she wants to leave no questions unanswered as to her qualifications for that top AD job if/when it opens up in the future? Again, that's just a guess.

Well, at least that's done now. And yes 'dc, my sources did not nail this. Swing and a miss, but the good news there is we won't be making plans for Nigel at UNH ...

 

[HockeyRef]

I have to admit, this is my initial reaction as well; Dan's post also touches on some shared areas of concern. There are a lot of credentials I've seen cited today, but notoriously glaring by its absence is any direct experience in playing OR coaching in a competitive environment. In short, we've hired a lawyer who has deep experience in administrative issues, and purportedly has a "bias towards action". Well, take it from someone who knows, the timeline for what is "action" is much longer when in administrative settings than in competitive sports settings.

One of the "pros" 'dc raised that allows me to take some optimism into the "Dr. Allison Rich Experience" (DARE?) is that she has chosen to leave a pretty cushy job at her alma mater to take on this job. I'd be interested to know the answer to "why?" Only guessing, but perhaps the road forward at Princeton is blocked, and she wants to leave no questions unanswered as to her qualifications for that top AD job if/when it opens up in the future? Again, that's just a guess.

Well, at least that's done now. And yes 'dc, my sources did not nail this. Swing and a miss, but the good news there is we won't be making plans for Nigel at UNH ...

You were expecting Gil Thorpe? (dating myself) lol

 

[Chuck Murray]

You were expecting Gil Thorpe? (dating myself) lol

Nope, wasn't expecting Jim Thorpe or Gil Thorp, but was hoping for more than a pure admin type.

Time will tell, certainly hope it proves to be a good hire.

 

[Whalers]

was hoping for more than a pure admin type.

Time will tell, certainly hope it proves to be a good hire.

Not sure why UNH continues to go with the safe and easy hire, but certainly happy it wasnt Nigel. Why an Admin type hire who will tow the conservative style. Has UNH had a lot of compliance issues, other than the extra email "scandal" from about 10 years ago? With the whole new world of NIL, we need someone who is dancing to a new tune, not waltzing along to keep the chaperone's happy.

The NIL is changing things quickly in the NCAA so you can get new recruits, keep players from transferring but also, and this is HUGE, keep players from jumping to the pros early (IF WE EVER RETURN TO THAT STATUS). Ex. - If Bekar sticks around for his senior year because rather than getting $ 100K to sign and go to the Islanders AHL team, Timberland signs him to a $100K NIL deal to promote the yellow boot, how good is the 99 team? Then because he sticks around for the 4th year, and he AND Krog score 95 points each and win the NCAA Title 9-2 over Maine, he becomes a free agent. Can write his ticket rather than HAVING to leave because this is his best chance. I know, a lot of IF's and Maybe's, but this is the new landscape that maybe an admin type will not be willing or able to "explore".

 

[Chuck Murray]

The NIL is changing things quickly in the NCAA so you can get new recruits, keep players from transferring but also, and this is HUGE, keep players from jumping to the pros early (IF WE EVER RETURN TO THAT STATUS). Ex. - If Bekar sticks around for his senior year because rather than getting $ 100K to sign and go to the Islanders AHL team, Timberland signs him to a $100K NIL deal to promote the yellow boot, how good is the 99 team? Then because he sticks around for the 4th year, and he AND Krog score 95 points each and win the NCAA Title 9-2 over Maine, he becomes a free agent. Can write his ticket rather than HAVING to leave because this is his best chance. I know, a lot of IF's and Maybe's, but this is the new landscape that maybe an admin type will not be willing or able to "explore".

It's funny, but when all this "brave new world" stuff finally comes to maturity, it's going to make Walshy's "retroactive financial aid" frolics in the mid-'90's look like the weekly geriatric's Bingo game down in the parish rec hall by comparison. There's no putting that genie back in the NCAA bottle, no sirree Bob. Good for a small fraction of athletes, but ruins college sports for a majority of us old-timers who value continuity with their teams/programs. C'est la vie.

 

[HawksHockey]

Hey HH, I'm on your side in this debate. Most of the other folks on here think St. A's et als would be cannon fodder for UNH, women's OR men's teams. There's no doubt that St. A's putting those schools on their schedule AND winning a few IS exactly what I called it - punching above their weight. St. A's - little school in Goffstown; a fraction of the size of the two you cited.

I welcome the emergence of ANY NH-based college hockey program to challenge the fat cats in Hanover and Durham. I want to see a NH version of Boston's Beanpot. The better you guys play, the more likely that scenario becomes. Women's first if necessary, and eventually the Men's programs to follow. Hope I live long enough to see it. Keep up the good work!!

I think I came off more defensive than intended. What I am really hoping for is a men's basketball tilt between the Hawks and the Wildcats... but I am not holding my breath on that one!

 

[C-H-C]

"Tyler Muszelik & Damien Carfagna: UNH's Top 2022 NHL Draft Prospects"

 

[Scott]

https://www.uscho.com/ncaa-players-2022-nhl-draft/

Muszelik - "G4" whatever that means ?
Carfagna - n/a

It's one thing to lose higher picks to Minnesota, Michigan, BC, North Dakota, et. al. But when your program is losing higher picks to Vermont, Ferris State, and Merrimack, a certain "someone" or "someone's" really need to study the Dale Carnegie course on "How To Win Friends And Influence People"....or just friggin' learn how to sell (tongue emoji)

 

[Dan]

https://www.uscho.com/ncaa-players-2022-nhl-draft/

Muszelik - "G4" whatever that means ?
Carfagna - n/a

It's one thing to lose higher picks to Minnesota, Michigan, BC, North Dakota, et. al. But when your program is losing higher picks to Vermont, Ferris State, and Merrimack, a certain "someone" or "someone's" really need to study the Dale Carnegie course on "How To Win Friends And Influence People"....or just friggin' learn how to sell (tongue emoji)

Goalie #4

 

[boblav1]

Mark Divver @MarkDivver
Defenseman Damien Carfagna (Lawrence Academy/Green Bay/Sioux City) will attend Seattle development camp. Will be freshman at UNH in '22-23

 

[pucko]

It amazes me that this is who UNH came up with after having 8+ months to find a replacement for Marty. Does anyone else remember that the Ivy League canceled a full year of sports during COVID while other schools, some even just up the road, were able to still participate? The entire profile of the Ivy League in terms of where and how sports fit into the college experience for student athletes is so vastly different from how scholarship schools work. UNH needed someone who has been at scholarship schools, who can hire coaches that can and will win, who understands the value of sports in education, not the other way around. They didn't need a compliance diversity officer who's going to make sure that the coaches are just there to babysit and not win games. This is an incredibly disappointing hire.

 

[Chuck Murray]

It amazes me that this is who UNH came up with after having 8+ months to find a replacement for Marty. Does anyone else remember that the Ivy League canceled a full year of sports during COVID while other schools, some even just up the road, were able to still participate? The entire profile of the Ivy League in terms of where and how sports fit into the college experience for student athletes is so vastly different from how scholarship schools work. UNH needed someone who has been at scholarship schools, who can hire coaches that can and will win, who understands the value of sports in education, not the other way around. They didn't need a compliance diversity officer who's going to make sure that the coaches are just there to babysit and not win games. This is an incredibly disappointing hire.

Some very good points included in this post. Time will tell, but I share most of these concerns.

 

[norbert]

Yes, yes and yes Norbert! I was just mentioning that to my wife. They use to pester the crap out of us but haven’t heard a peep all spring/summer. I have been waiting, as I imagined that I would be changing seats. On the glass since the beginning but can’t imagine that I won’t want to change.
They are so non communicative recently that I am afraid I might get locked in to seats we don’t want and we all know we can just walk in and be fine.

After sending my email to UNH Athletics regarding the early due date, I got a response a week later. Which coincided with the deadline for the payment.

Here is the response I got

Good morning, hope you are doing well! I received the email you sent over regarding hockey season tickets, so wanted to provide a response.

• Season Ticket Member Deadline: We’ve worked diligently to adjust our sales timelines to best fit the conditions and the market, which is the reason behind the current renewal deadline. It is important to open the renewals early on, as to ensure season ticket members can add or move seats before the public on-sale. The 7/8 renewal date is in effect; however, we pride ourselves on being flexible and will work with each season ticket member regarding payment. There was a little more flexibility built in last year (2021-2022), as we were coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and wanted to ensure season ticket members could make a decision that they were comfortable with.

• Renewals (in-season): We began renewals in late February to ensure we had time to engage with our fans in-venue and answer any questions that you may have. It also allows us to best manage our resources internally so that we are readily available to support our season ticket members.

• 2022-2023 Season: The schedule will be released to season ticket holders in the near future, so keep an eye out for that.

• Rink Renovation: The project is still in-progress and on-schedule. An update will be sent to our season ticket members later this summer.

Thank you for the note and your continued commitment to our hockey program! I look forward to seeing you at the Whitt this season.


Here is my takeaway

Deadline: They are in belief there is a condition and market for season tickets that does not exist. Usually when attendance goes down that means there is less of a market, or at least that is what my UNH Econ classes told me

Rink Renovation: Great that it is in progress and on-schedule. That did not answer my question about providing us updates. Its new ice and boards. This is not top secret information and thought some pictures and updates might be a nice engagement for STH

Schedule: Great I am glad there is a schedule coming out but that does not answer my question about # of games. It looks like it will be 17 games based on going through the process and downloading my tickets.

 

[deltabravo62]

After sending my email to UNH Athletics regarding the early due date, I got a response a week later. Which coincided with the deadline for the payment.

Here is the response I got

Good morning, hope you are doing well! I received the email you sent over regarding hockey season tickets, so wanted to provide a response.

• Season Ticket Member Deadline: We’ve worked diligently to adjust our sales timelines to best fit the conditions and the market, which is the reason behind the current renewal deadline. It is important to open the renewals early on, as to ensure season ticket members can add or move seats before the public on-sale. The 7/8 renewal date is in effect; however, we pride ourselves on being flexible and will work with each season ticket member regarding payment. There was a little more flexibility built in last year (2021-2022), as we were coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and wanted to ensure season ticket members could make a decision that they were comfortable with.

• Renewals (in-season): We began renewals in late February to ensure we had time to engage with our fans in-venue and answer any questions that you may have. It also allows us to best manage our resources internally so that we are readily available to support our season ticket members.

• 2022-2023 Season: The schedule will be released to season ticket holders in the near future, so keep an eye out for that.

• Rink Renovation: The project is still in-progress and on-schedule. An update will be sent to our season ticket members later this summer.

Thank you for the note and your continued commitment to our hockey program! I look forward to seeing you at the Whitt this season.


Here is my takeaway

Deadline: They are in belief there is a condition and market for season tickets that does not exist. Usually when attendance goes down that means there is less of a market, or at least that is what my UNH Econ classes told me

Rink Renovation: Great that it is in progress and on-schedule. That did not answer my question about providing us updates. Its new ice and boards. This is not top secret information and thought some pictures and updates might be a nice engagement for STH

Schedule: Great I am glad there is a schedule coming out but that does not answer my question about # of games. It looks like it will be 17 games based on going through the process and downloading my tickets.

My response, that's a lot of words to say absolutely nothing of use... Which is what I got out of them earlier this summer when I was still trying to "engage" them as an STH. Very true on the fact that they falsely believe there is weight to the calls of "renew now or lose out". If I changed my mind and decided to renew on opening day I bet I would have no issue getting back "my seats".

 

[norbert]

My response, that's a lot of words to say absolutely nothing of use... Which is what I got out of them earlier this summer when I was still trying to "engage" them as an STH. Very true on the fact that they falsely believe there is weight to the calls of "renew now or lose out". If I changed my mind and decided to renew on opening day I bet I would have no issue getting back "my seats".

They are either completely out of their mind and believe there is a draw/market/enthusiasm that does not exist or just towing the company line. In either event, they are not customer friendly.

 

[d.gerry]

They are either completely out of their mind and believe there is a draw/market/enthusiasm that does not exist or just towing the company line. In either event, they are not customer friendly.

It really is laughable they feel this is somehow a "seller's market" when it comes to season ticket renewals. What, they gonna give my tickets away? Go for it. Also, website is not user friendly when it comes to making a change to your season ticket order, I'm considering renewing 2 as opposed to my old 3 (as my daughter is off to college in the fall) however, can't find a way to reduce the number of tickets in my order.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Suspect there are a fair few (too many?) folks in the ticket office operation who remember when the season tickets used to sell themselves. Wake-up call to them - it hasn't been that way for at least a decade now. Wake up and smell the coffee, or it's time to get new folks into that operation who might, you know, have an ability to SELL, or at least to service existing customers?!?

The rot - in the form of institutional complacency - has clearly taken hold in Durham.

And I have serious concerns our new AD is going to be the person to energize the place.