UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

[Umileated]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Also why would you bother this year?

Sure the coaches are there anyway - maybe Marty goes every year. However still seems a silly place to have a UNH focused lunch.

If your crew is there already, it seems silly to not do something to engage alumni. There is also the New Year's tournament down there to think about next year.

 

[Hux]

Amen. I question whether Admissions needs to get a clue or if their admissions policy for athletes is right where the University wants it. We will likely never know.

Don't even get me started on the NH State House. NH has some elected officials that look down on those with formal education. If we aren't going to make road and bridge maintenance a priority we don't need engineers, do we?


As for Naples, what do y'all want? it sounds like a cost effective way to engage with relatively wealthy alumni who might contribute to the program or maybe foster relationships with those already contributing. I've often wondered how many reading this board contribute, even in a small way such as being "Friends" members.

Admissions has been a hurdle for Coach Mac as well, costing him some international blue chippahs.

Makes sense to have a luncheon in Naples...maybe do some glad handing on the links. Given the fiscal policy over in Concord the athlectic department needs to do everything from bake sales to coaching staff car washes to keep the coffers full.

 

[WildShawn]

2013-2014 Schedule

2013-2014 Schedule

Looking ahead to next year, according to:
FlagDude's Google Spreadsheet
UNH's tentative schedule is shaping up to include:
October
11-Icebreaker (at Minnesota)
12-Icebreaker (at Minnesota)
26-@RPI

November
1-@UML
2-UML
8-UMass
9-@UMass
12-Brown
15-@Northeastern
16-Northeastern
22-@Providence
23-@Providence
29-@Colorado College
30-@Colorado College

December
6-@Boston College
7-Boston College
28-vs Cornell (Florida Tournament)
29-vs Princeton/Maine (Florida Tournament)

January
3-Nebraska Omaha
4-Nebraska Omaha
24-Maine
26-@Maine
31-Notre Dame

February
1-Notre Dame
7-Vermont
8-Vermont
14-Boston University
15-@Boston University
28-@Merrimack

March
1-@Merrimack

There are six non conference games left including at least one with Michigan. Any idea what else we might see, and who else is playing in the Ice Breaker?

 

[Umileated]

Re: 2013-2014 Schedule

Re: 2013-2014 Schedule

There are six non conference games left including at least one with Michigan. Any idea what else we might see, and who else is playing in the Ice Breaker?

I was wondering that myself earlier today. I would guess two with Michigan, unless they're hitting two different teams. I recall last year the schedule was uploaded early, but not published. Someone found it by navigating to the current one, and replacing the year part of the URL. No such luck yet, though

 

[WildShawn]

Re: 2013-2014 Schedule

Re: 2013-2014 Schedule

I was wondering that myself earlier today. I would guess two with Michigan, unless they're hitting two different teams. I recall last year the schedule was uploaded early, but not published. Someone found it by navigating to the current one, and replacing the year part of the URL. No such luck yet, though

I tried that too... I think it was also taken down shortly after it was 'discovered' and posted on here
I would imagine we'll have a matchup with Dartmouth somewhere (return trip to Durham?) Hopefully no 'non-con' game against Maine (since UNH and Maine might meet in the Florida tournament, though there was talk about alternating a non-com game between Manchester and Portland with them...

 

[UNHhockey29]

I tried that too... I think it was also taken down shortly after it was 'discovered' and posted on here
I would imagine we'll have a matchup with Dartmouth somewhere (return trip to Durham?) Hopefully no 'non-con' game against Maine (since UNH and Maine might meet in the Florida tournament, though there was talk about alternating a non-com game between Manchester and Portland with them...

Well seeing as how my season ticket package made me buy a ticket for the unh Dartmouth game at the Verizon I'm going to assume we are playing them there.

 

[Umileated]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Well seeing as how my season ticket package made me buy a ticket for the unh Dartmouth game at the Verizon I'm going to assume we are playing them there.

Didn't we learn that Lowell/Merrimack is a better draw for there? Can't we just skip it in non-regional host years?

 

[NCAA watcher]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

The writer stares with glassy eyes
Defies the empty page
His beard is white, his face is lined
And streaked with tears of rage.

Thirty years ago, how the words would flow
With passion and precision,
But now his mind is dark and dulled
By sickness and indecision

And he stares out the kitchen door
Where the sun will rise no more...

Some are born to move the world
To live their fantasies
But most of us just dream about
The things we'd like to be
Sadder still to watch it die
Than never to have known it
For you, the blind who once could see
The bell tolls for thee...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

The writer stares with glassy eyes
Defies the empty page
His beard is white, his face is lined
And streaked with tears of rage.

Thirty years ago, how the words would flow
With passion and precision,
But now his mind is dark and dulled
By sickness and indecision

And he stares out the kitchen door
Where the sun will rise no more...

Some are born to move the world
To live their fantasies
But most of us just dream about
The things we'd like to be
Sadder still to watch it die
Than never to have known it
For you, the blind who once could see
The bell tolls for thee...

"Losing It" by Rush from the Signals album roughly 30 years ago, as inspired by Hemingway (Ernest - not Colin BTW ). One of my all time faves.

Dunno, but Ernie seems more like a Walshy or Parker guy to me, and perhaps therein lies the rub ...

 

[snively]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

NCAA Watcher:

"Football legend Bill Walsh used to say that coaches and executives should seek change after 10 years with the same team. The theory is that both the individual and the organization benefit from a change after so much time together... After age 30, "People get stuck in [rigid] thought paterns, just like grooves in a record, and they never get out of them."

Must be a swell guy to be married to.

 

[JB]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

NCAA Watcher:

Must be a swell guy to be married to.

There was an article on Walsh in SI I think 6-12 months back it focused on Walsh's football "book" but covered a big chunk of his like. Bill Walsh seemed to be a tormented man in some ways, tormented by his drive for perfection. A drive that article made it seem like was at the level of obsessive compulsive. Apparently that Sefert won it all with "his" team bothered him the rest of his life and he ended up not necessarily agreeing with his own quote.

Interesting read if you can find it.


And Rush has great lyrics.

 

[UNHhockey29]

Didn't we learn that Lowell/Merrimack is a better draw for there? Can't we just skip it in non-regional host years?

Can't we just stop playing in the Verizon all together?

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Given the fiscal policy over in Concord the athlectic department needs to do everything from bake sales to coaching staff car washes to keep the coffers full.

Not to single out one quote, as I've seen similar comments about the fiscal limitations at UNH ... but do you guys really think UNH's shortcomings over the last decade - and the last few years specifically - have had anything to do with finances? Short of specific examples, I just see it as another excuse, right up (down?) there with "puck luck", etc.

 

[zoofer]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

I'll give you that it's not the only reason CM, but it is a HUGE issue! Any program, for anything, sports or not, needs to be financed. If every meeting you have begins with "where do we get the funds to do this?", it makes a difference and takes it's toll. I remember back when the decision had to be made whether to build the Whitt or not. It was said that if we didn't, we should give up the program. While that hurdle passed, there are new ones needed to be jumped everyday. Yes, finances do make a difference......

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

I'll give you that it's not the only reason CM, but it is a HUGE issue! Any program, for anything, sports or not, needs to be financed. If every meeting you have begins with "where do we get the funds to do this?", it makes a difference and takes it's toll. I remember back when the decision had to be made whether to build the Whitt or not. It was said that if we didn't, we should give up the program. While that hurdle passed, there are new ones needed to be jumped everyday. Yes, finances do make a difference......

What exactly is the UNH Men's Hockey program being deprived of financially that's causing the program not to succeed?

* The rink was built almost 20 years ago. No cost overruns, still very functional, better than most in HE. Nothing wrong there.

* Training facilities are by all reports at least average, if not above. Coaches are paid well, with three full-time guys.

* Haven't heard about any travel-related expense issues, and most non-recruiting trips don't require air travel.

So again ... exactly what is the program being deprived of by the folks in Concord? If the argument is that the State should do more for the average UNH student, that's one thing, and I'm not sure I disagree with that. But I struggle to see exactly what the Men's Hockey program is being deprived of. They seem to have it pretty good, certainly when compared to the various other D-1 sports (including football) the school competes in.

Let's not confuse on-ice competitiveness with "bells & whistles" for the overall fan experience. A state-of-the-art scoreboard won't make the team more competitve.

And honestly, how many of these vague, mysterious "hurdles" wouldn't be fixed by simply selling those 1.000-2,000 empty seats at The Whitt 15 times a season??

Again ... I don't mean to single out anyone on the boards here, but sometimes an issue gets raised on here, and folks just seem happy to accept that "hey, the program isn't funded enough, look at what BC and BU do, etc." and it gains traction and acceptance. To me, it's like nails on the chalkboard, and more excuse-making. Heck, why can't the fans just be satisfied that (in a season where there are four (4) newcomers to the FF) UNH is "the only team to have won an NCAA tourney game in 4 of the last 5 seasons"?

'Cuz we all know after all, that programs like Quinnipiac and UMass-Lowell are just awash in funds, and have bought their way to the top, right??

 

[C-H-C]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2012-2013 Postseason Thread

Josh Ciocco:

It is my opinion that (Scott Borek) has done an excellent job of keeping UNH stocked with talent. Since his arrival UNH has only missed the NCAA tournament 1 year. To have the talent capable of making the NCAA tournament on an annual basis is very impressive. Here are a couple things I would like to point out.

First, UNH needs tangible change. Facilities very much so play a role in the recruiting game. I think the Whit is a great rink and the best place to play college hockey in my opinion. But if you go down to BU and BC there is simply no comparing the facilities. Id really like to see UNH enhance the locker room, build a lounge (which just about every other team has one) and potentially build their own weight room (which alot of other teams have). These things DO make a difference.

Since Scott Borek has arrived there have been zero tangible changes made (in the facilities). BU built a palace 1 hour away. Merrimack renovated their entire rink/locker room. Northeastern has built a first class players only weight room and renovated the locker room. Maine has renovated their entire facility. If you think these things do not make his job MUCH more challenging than you are sadly mistaken.

I am not going to say its impossible for UNH to out recruit BU and BC, but it is MUCH more challenging now than it was 15 years ago. Facilities do make a big difference. Look no further than Miami of Ohio and how much better that program has gotten. Look no further than BU and how the program was on a serious decline before Agganis. My Freshman year, the final season at Walter Brown Arena, BU finished 8th place.

Do you know what UNH's recruiting budget is? I wont go into details, but I will tell you that Providence College has double the budget of UNH---how much more do you think BC and BU have? I believe the state and the school need to recommit themselves to having a top notch program and make tangible changes.

 

[Kdaddy1968]

What exactly is the UNH Men's Hockey program being deprived of financially that's causing the program not to succeed?

* The rink was built almost 20 years ago. No cost overruns, still very functional, better than most in HE. Nothing wrong there.

* Training facilities are by all reports at least average, if not above. Coaches are paid well, with three full-time guys.

* Haven't heard about any travel-related expense issues, and most non-recruiting trips don't require air travel.

So again ... exactly what is the program being deprived of by the folks in Concord? If the argument is that the State should do more for the average UNH student, that's one thing, and I'm not sure I disagree with that. But I struggle to see exactly what the Men's Hockey program is being deprived of. They seem to have it pretty good, certainly when compared to the various other D-1 sports (including football) the school competes in.

Let's not confuse on-ice competitiveness with "bells & whistles" for the overall fan experience. A state-of-the-art scoreboard won't make the team more competitve.

And honestly, how many of these vague, mysterious "hurdles" wouldn't be fixed by simply selling those 1.000-2,000 empty seats at The Whitt 15 times a season??

Again ... I don't mean to single out anyone on the boards here, but sometimes an issue gets raised on here, and folks just seem happy to accept that "hey, the program isn't funded enough, look at what BC and BU do, etc." and it gains traction and acceptance. To me, it's like nails on the chalkboard, and more excuse-making. Heck, why can't the fans just be satisfied that (in a season where there are four (4) newcomers to the FF) UNH is "the only team to have won an NCAA tourney game in 4 of the last 5 seasons"?

'Cuz we all know after all, that programs like Quinnipiac and UMass-Lowell are just awash in funds, and have bought their way to the top, right??

True . You want to see deprived look at UVM

 

[e.cat]

Josh Ciocco:

I guess this is your answer Chuck. Next question....

 

[Hux]

Not to single out one quote, as I've seen similar comments about the fiscal limitations at UNH ... but do you guys really think UNH's shortcomings over the last decade - and the last few years specifically - have had anything to do with finances? Short of specific examples, I just see it as another excuse, right up (down?) there with "puck luck", etc.

My comment was in regards to a comment about the luncheon in Naples. While the men's program is on solid ground, any coin raised means less has to come out of the athletic department budget to support the program. Ultimately that benefits other athletic programs.

However, I think BU is a perfect example of a program that was on a downward slide until they committed to upgrading their facilities from WBA to Agganis. Is a fancy video scoreboard the answer? Probably not, but sometimes it can be the littlest thing that makes the difference between landing a prized recruit and watching him go elsewhere.

The main point that was being made though is that admissions has ttightened up over the last six years or so. I can name several players on the women's side that did not make it through admissions and went on to have stellar careers at other programs. If it happened several times to Coach Mac, how many times do you think it has happened to Coach Umile?

 

[goblue]

Can't we just stop playing in the Verizon all together?

Except in odd-numbered years, in March -- right?