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Union 2010-11

Re: Union 2010-11

I'm not sure if it was as totally one sided as you have taken it, but I do understand your point. I must admit that I don't follow the women's team that closely but it is obvious that they need to upgrade their talent. I thought Julie Chu might help in that regard but it obviously will take some time. I am guessing the article was meant to accompany a story about the first game of the season and had been written before cancellation of the Univ of Montreal game this weekend, (BTW, what happened with that, I didn't see anything on line or in print). Is there or will there be a new thread for the new season?
 
Re: Union 2010-11

Wholin1 said:
I'm not sure if it was as totally one sided as you have taken it, but I do understand your point. I must admit that I don't follow the women's team that closely but it is obvious that they need to upgrade their talent. I thought Julie Chu might help in that regard but it obviously will take some time. I am guessing the article was meant to accompany a story about the first game of the season and had been written before cancellation of the Univ of Montreal game this weekend, (BTW, what happened with that, I didn't see anything on line or in print). Is there or will there be a new thread for the new season?
Click to expand...

It's not just as simple as upgrading talent. They are obviously trying to recruit the same players as everyone else but when you (and every coach before you) are not able to get those players, there is something else going on.

In this case I suspect it has a lot to do with the cost of attendance being the same as an Ivy League school while the education (while very very good) is not going to carry the Ivy League prestige. I have no idea what kind of aid is available at Union, but I'm guessing it's not on par with what the Ivies have available.

Players that aren't being recruited by the Ivies then potentially have several options:

1: attending a prestigious NESCAC where they can potentially compete for National Championships

2: attend Union and play for an underfunded program and struggle to win 5 or 6 games

3: attend another school that offers a high quality education without the price tag and/or the potential to earn an athletic scholarship

Obviously the men's team has made great strides recently...something that again took time...but comparing the men's game to the women's game at this point is not really feasible. There isn't the same depth of players across the board and it's just not a fair comparison at this point in time.

The deck is really stacked against Union, and while I'm sure the coaches have made mistakes, I don't think the author of this article has a real solid understanding of the landscape of women's hockey.
 
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Re: Union 2010-11

Flarrow said:
Gerrish was transitioning the team from DIII to DI. In all his years, he was playing young women who had come in to Union to play D-III hockey. His were the first D-I recruits, and one of his tasks, for which I will always respect him, was to integrate the players--and he did. He brought in several players who could have played at other schools, but he convinced them to come and try to help a program make the years-long effort to jump to DI.The DIII players continued to see playing time until they graduated, and their heart often allowed them to 'play-up' in inspiring games (read:losses). One of his last recruits, as far as I know, was Lundy Day, who committed to the transfer from Maine before Asano arrived.
Click to expand...

Not entirely true. Union played a D1 schedule in 2003-04 under Fred Quistgard who presumably recruited "D1" players in advance of that season as well as the players that were on the roster in 04-05 when Gerrish took over. Several of these players were legit low to mid level D1 caliber players. You can argue that the quality of player improved under Gerrish, and I don't disagree that there were still some D3 holdovers in place when he took over.

While he was a big part of the transition to D1, it was in fact underway before he took over, and his recruits were not the first ones to come into the program when it became D1.
 
Re: Union 2010-11

Interesting subject, I think the coach bashing is a mistake. I think the real problem is that there are not very many good or great players that have the guts to step outside and see what they are made of. I have watched a lot of the truly talented players being sucked up by winning programs and the promise of playing with other really talented players. I call that the Assabet attitude! Who knows how good or great the coaches are but if you have all the talent it doesn't matter, rattle the doors and let the talent out and presto, a win! Additionally There are a lot of girls that want to play for a coach who they think can smooth the path at a chance to play on a national team as well. I believe that is where the new ADM model is trying to get it legs! I think it all starts when the kids are young and winning is everything and development as a player takes a back seat. Union is only a couple of great players out of the mix but convincing a young talented player that they have as good "and maybe even a better" shot at a national team being a game changer or big fish in a small pond rather than a big fish in a big pond takes some doing. The coaching staff landed several good players this season and they might just be the building blocks that the program has needed, anyway, being unstoppable has got to be boring as I just took a look at the EX games and saw several blowouts at least the Union women's program looked to be in about 75 to 80 percent of their games last year. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
 
Re: Union 2010-11

Shotblocker said:
Interesting subject, I think the coach bashing is a mistake. I think the real problem is that there are not very many good or great players that have the guts to step outside and see what they are made of. I have watched a lot of the truly talented players being sucked up by winning programs and the promise of playing with other really talented players. I call that the Assabet attitude! Who knows how good or great the coaches are but if you have all the talent it doesn't matter, rattle the doors and let the talent out and presto, a win! Additionally There are a lot of girls that want to play for a coach who they think can smooth the path at a chance to play on a national team as well. I believe that is where the new ADM model is trying to get it legs! I think it all starts when the kids are young and winning is everything and development as a player takes a back seat. Union is only a couple of great players out of the mix but convincing a young talented player that they have as good "and maybe even a better" shot at a national team being a game changer or big fish in a small pond rather than a big fish in a big pond takes some doing. The coaching staff landed several good players this season and they might just be the building blocks that the program has needed, anyway, being unstoppable has got to be boring as I just took a look at the EX games and saw several blowouts at least the Union women's program looked to be in about 75 to 80 percent of their games last year. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Click to expand...

I haven't seen Union play that often, just a few times over the last 8 years or so but I don't think there is any doubt that they have continued to get better and more competitive. Unfortunately it hasn't translated into many wins because of many of the issues discussed previously about some of the recruiting challenges Union faces. At this point they've been so bad for so long...and that certainly is another thing that hinders their recruiting efforts when they go to talk to top kids.

As for what you're saying about national programs...I can't speak for the wants and desires of every recruit, but I don't know how much of an impact that has to be honest. To the extent that players of that ability can look at a teams roster and see the names of kids on it and have a desire to play with other similarly talented kids, then I think you're right. If you're a US or Canada U18-team or national team kid it's easy to look at a roster and know the names of the players you played with and against on the international stage...but at the same time I don't think many of them are truly placing that over the opportunity to receive an education that is going to set them up for the rest of their lives. Obviously some schools can offer both, and they are certainly at an advantage.
 
Re: Union 2010-11

YabaDabaDoo said:
I heard that Union picked up a couple of nice forwards and
a bluechip goalie?
Click to expand...

In the context of my limited knowledge of a couple of the players I would agree that at least on paper it is the best class they have ever brought in to date
 
Re: Union 2010-11

WIrinkrat said:
... If you're a US or Canada U18-team or national team kid it's easy to look at a roster and know the names of the players you played with and against on the international stage...but at the same time I don't think many of them are truly placing that over the opportunity to receive an education that is going to set them up for the rest of their lives......
Click to expand...

Don't think that is always the case.
 
Re: Union 2010-11

OnMAA said:
Don't think that is always the case.
Click to expand...

Let me clarify. I don't think many kids are playing at a much weaker academic school just to be on a better hockey team. If a U18 player has the grades to get into Union and is a top notch hockey player, they are far more often than not going to find another elite academic school with a top hockey program.

Not many elite players with a 1300 SAT and 4.0 GPA are going to go to a school where you need a 900 SAT and 2.5 GPA to get in just because there is a better hockey program. They are going to find another school with strong academics and a strong hockey program.

Are there exceptions? I'm sure there are, especially if there is a family that is financially strapped and the most affordable situation is going to be at a school where they can receive a full scholarship. But in the context of Union, that is a kid that was never going to be able to play there to begin with so it's not something that really is putting them at a disadvantage.
 
Re: Union 2010-11

Thanks for the correction, WIrinkrat. You're right about Quistgard.
That was a pretty strong article for the Times Union to print. I f you're not from the capital region, usually the local press isn't that ....pointed about local coaches. He was making a statement. Did anyone (AD) at Union hear? thought she'd slide into another year, but a 4 year renewal on her record is astonishing.
and FYI:
Union Dutchwomen Coaching Stats (collegehockeystats)

2011-2012
Head Coach: Claudia Asano Barcomb (Harvard '99)
Career Record (Entering 2011-2012): 12-113-9 (.123) (5 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2011-2012): 12-113-9 (.123) (5 Seasons)
Assistant Coach: Ali Boe (Harvard '06)
Assistant Coach: Julie Chu (Harvard '07)

2010-2011
Head Coach: Claudia Asano (Harvard '99)
Career Record (Entering 2010-2011): 10-84-6 (.130) (4 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2010-2011): 10-84-6 (.130) (4 Seasons)
Assistant Coach: Ali Boe (Harvard '06)
Assistant Coach: Julie Chu (Harvard '07)

2009-2010
Head Coach: Claudia Asano (Harvard '99)
Career Record (Entering 2009-2010): 5-56-5 (.114) (3 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2009-2010): 5-56-5 (.114) (3 Seasons)
Assistant Coach: Ali Boe (Harvard '06)
Assistant Coach: Marianna Locke (St. Lawrence '09)
Volunteer Assistant Coach: Lundy Day (Union '09)

2008-2009
Head Coach: Claudia Asano (Harvard '99)
Career Record (Entering 2008-2009): 3-27-2 (.125) (1 Season)
Record at Union (Entering 2008-2009): 3-27-2 (.125) (1 Season)
Assistant Coach: Ali Boe (Harvard '06)
Assistant Coach: Ashley Shaidle (Clarkson '07)

2007-2008
Head Coach: Claudia Asano (Harvard '99)
Career Record (Entering 2007-2008): 0-0-0
Record at Union (Entering 2007-2008): 0-0-0
Assistant Coach: Ali Boe (Harvard '06)
Assistant Coach: Ashley Shaidle (Clarkson '07)
Volunteer Assistant Coach: George Morrison

2006-2007
Head Coach: Tim Gerrish (Elmira '77)
Career Record (Entering 2006-07): 323-238-25 (.573) (26 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2006-07): 8-51-2 (.148) (2 Seasons)
Assistant Coach: Jackie MacMillan (Wisconsin '03)

2005-2006
Head Coach: Tim Gerrish (Elmira '77)
Career Record (Entering 2005-06): 320-214-24 (.595) (25 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2005-06): 5-27-1 (.167) (1 Season)
Assistant Coach: Jessica Link (Brown '05)
Assistant Coach: Jackie MacMillan (Wisconsin '03)

2004-2005
Head Coach: Tim Gerrish (Elmira '77)
Career Record (Entering 2004-05): 315-187-23 (.622) (24 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2004-05): 0-0-0
sistant Coach: Shannon Kennedy (Minnesota '01)
Assistant Coach: Jackie MacMillan (Wisconsin '03)

2003-2004
Head Coach: Fred Quistgard (New Hampshire College '82)
Career Record (Entering 2003-04): 37-80-6 (.325) (5 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2003-04): 26-68-5 (.288) (4 Seasons)
Assistant Coach: Myia Yates (Providence '99)
Assistant Coach: Laura Hays (Princeton '99)

2002-2003
Head Coach: Fred Quistgard (New Hampshire '82)
Career Record (Entering 2002-03): 26-66-5 (.294) (4 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2002-03): 15-54-4 (.233) (3 Seasons)
Assistant Coach: Myia Yates (Providence '99)

2001-2002
Head Coach: Fred Quistgard (New Hampshire '82)
Career Record (Entering 2001-02): 18-50-3 (.275) (3 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2001-02): 7-38-2 (.170) (2 Seasons)
Assistant Coach: Myia Yates (Providence '99)

2000-2001
Head Coach: Fred Quistgard (New Hampshire '82)
Career Record (Entering 2000-01): 15-31-1 (.330) (2 Seasons)
Record at Union (Entering 2000-01): 4-19-0 (.174) (1 Season)
Assistant Coach: Katie Lachepelle (Providence '99)
 
Re: Union 2010-11

Nice job this weekend; hats off to Ms Gallager! Keep some discipline next weekend and you'll have the boards here buzzing!
 
Re: Union 2010-11

Congratulations to the team and the coaches on an excellent 3 point weekend! Keep working hard and more good things will come!
 
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