Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

[Josh Carey]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

All you people with a myopic vision of the Sunyac picking up the ECAC-W teams need to recognize, NEUMANN IS IN PENNSYLVANIA!!! They'll NEVER be a SUNYAC team.

Just like how Cortland could never play in the "New Jersey Athletic Conference" in football, right? If names are substantiated by something else, then they are just names. That's like saying you would make a tasty lunch because your name is "The Real Georgia Peach."

As for the crowds, true, 3000 is high - and probable, but to say "Back home they don't play with that kind of crowd at all" would be semantically correct at best, as many schools (not all) offer sufficient home crowd support.

I've been to every SUNYAC Rink and Utica multiple times for hockey games. Guess what? Utica blows away any SUNYAC environment. Yes, even Oswego, Plattsburgh, and Geneseo for a SUNYAC Championship game. You just can't compete with the volume of people they can cram into the Aud. Going into the Aud is a more intimidating experience for visiting teams than perhaps any other in Division-III hockey. And saying that can't possibly be true because you really really really like your rink's experience (even if you've never been to the Aud for a game) is just a bit silly.

 

[Laker28]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

When I went to the Aud for the Laker game a few weeks back, there were a ton of people there but they weren't that loud, except for when they got that one goal. It was more like a semi-pro atmosphere with mascots and light shows and it just didn't seem like a college game.

If you are intimidated by the sheer numbers then you just need to see that they sell beer there and you will realize why there are so many people. I think the slow spongy ice is more of a home ice advantage than the crowd. That and the fact that Utica will beat the crap out of you physically is what makes it a tough place to play.

 

[Fishman'81]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

All you people with a myopic vision of the Sunyac picking up the ECAC-W teams need to recognize, NEUMANN IS IN PENNSYLVANIA!!! They'll NEVER be a SUNYAC team.....Being an Independent may not be that bad a deal, providing they get to schedule a few Sunyac, ECAC-E & ECAC-NE teams, plus a few games with the former ECAC-W teams. Envision Hobart, EC, Elmira and Neumann playing each other 2-4 times and a few games in the other Conferences and they would have a good chance of picking up one or more of the Pool C bids. Probably better odds than the former Pool B odds.

That would never work,IMO.

The ECAC-West already eats its young.It's the strongest top-to-bottom D-3 conference in the country right now,ergo they are obliged to play the toughest schedules in the nation,and so all of its teams' win/loss records suffer as a result.

Are you suggesting that as independents,they could afford to beat each other up 4 times a year,and still get a look from what passes as the D-3 selection committee..?

I just don't see that happening.They are routinely screwed under the current format,as it exists.Each of these programs must grab some flotsam and hold on for dear life,or they're done.

 

[norm1909]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Just like how Cortland could never play in the "New Jersey Athletic Conference" in football, right? If names are substantiated by something else, then they are just names. That's like saying you would make a tasty lunch because your name is "The Real Georgia Peach."

Or that Clinton, NY based Hamilton College could be a member of the NEW ENGLAND Small College Athletic Conference, heck, if the Jets & Giants can be from "New York", yet have their "home" stadium in New Jersey, anything is possible, if it plea$es the power$ that be.

I've been to every SUNYAC Rink and Utica multiple times for hockey games. Guess what? Utica blows away any SUNYAC environment. Yes, even Oswego, Plattsburgh, and Geneseo for a SUNYAC Championship game. You just can't compete with the volume of people they can cram into the Aud. Going into the Aud is a more intimidating experience for visiting teams than perhaps any other in Division-III hockey. And saying that can't possibly be true because you really really really like your rink's experience (even if you've never been to the Aud for a game) is just a bit silly.

Are you looking at it from a dosimeter perspective? If so, hands down you are correct. I took at as meaning from a visiting teams player perspective (i.e. "It would be a great experience for the hockey players to play in front of 3,000 people," said Spartano. "They are not used to that. Back home they don't play with that kind of crowd at all."), IMO, hearing all that support for the home team would not result in a more positive experience, than from the less, though still significant support I would get from my fans supporting "me" at home - though I suppose, to each their own.

 

[PSUChamps2001]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Or that Clinton, NY based Hamilton College could be a member of the NEW ENGLAND Small College Athletic Conference, heck, if the Jets & Giants can be from "New York", yet have their "home" stadium in New Jersey, anything is possible, if it plea$es the power$ that be.



Are you looking at it from a dosimeter perspective? If so, hands down you are correct. I took at as meaning from a visiting teams player perspective (i.e. "It would be a great experience for the hockey players to play in front of 3,000 people," said Spartano. "They are not used to that. Back home they don't play with that kind of crowd at all."), IMO, hearing all that support for the home team would not result in a more positive experience, than from the less, though still significant support I would get from my fans supporting "me" at home - though I suppose, to each their own.

Actually some teams love to play away from home in front of crowds like that. Williams wanted to play up in Plattsburgh all the time because of the crowd (when it was there). While I agree Utica is a great place to watch a hockey game, I agree with Laker28 its more of a semi pro Ameks game where the crowd only gets loud when a team scores. It doesn't even stand close to a Plattsburgh Oswego game, let a lone a SUNYAC Championship game...not....even....close.....

 

[Ozz]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Just like how Cortland could never play in the "New Jersey Athletic Conference" in football, right? If names are substantiated by something else, then they are just names. That's like saying you would make a tasty lunch because your name is "The Real Georgia Peach."



I've been to every SUNYAC Rink and Utica multiple times for hockey games. Guess what? Utica blows away any SUNYAC environment. Yes, even Oswego, Plattsburgh, and Geneseo for a SUNYAC Championship game. You just can't compete with the volume of people they can cram into the Aud. Going into the Aud is a more intimidating experience for visiting teams than perhaps any other in Division-III hockey. And saying that can't possibly be true because you really really really like your rink's experience (even if you've never been to the Aud for a game) is just a bit silly.

Agreed...As an Oswego fan, I have to agree that the Aud is quite an intimidating experience for any visiting team. The amount of people in the building alone can be intimidating..

 

[LakerEagleLover]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Agreed...As an Oswego fan, I have to agree that the Aud is quite an intimidating experience for any visiting team. The amount of people in the building alone can be intimidating...

Patrons may not bring the following into the Auditorium
Food
Beverage
Pets (other than service animals)
Horns & Noise Makers
Sirens
Laser Pointers
Weapons
Heavy Chains

Glad we cleared THAT up.... I hope Utica gets in - sounds like a great place

 

[norm1909]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

.... I hope Utica gets in - sounds like a great place

Utica - Home of Saranac Root Beer - what more could you hope for !!!

 

[hawk]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Actually some teams love to play away from home in front of crowds like that. Williams wanted to play up in Plattsburgh all the time because of the crowd (when it was there). While I agree Utica is a great place to watch a hockey game, I agree with Laker28 its more of a semi pro Ameks game where the crowd only gets loud when a team scores. It doesn't even stand close to a Plattsburgh Oswego game, let a lone a SUNYAC Championship game...not....even....close.....

Just a little follow up on crowd noise. Speaking of Norwich home games it appears that most of the away teams rearly enjoy the big crowds/excitement of playing before 2,000+- fans. Heck a lot of the NESCAC teams like Hamilton, Williams, and Amherst and some ECAC E teams only get 200-300 fans and appear to appreciate the big game environment and always bring there A game.

 

[norm1909]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Just a little follow up on crowd noise. Speaking of Norwich home games it appears that most of the away teams rearly enjoy the big crowds/excitement of playing before 2,000+- fans. Heck a lot of the NESCAC teams like Hamilton, Williams, and Amherst and some ECAC E teams only get 200-300 fans and appear to appreciate the big game environment and always bring there A game.

I absolutely agree, when it comes to extremes, I would think playing in front of a large crowd, even a hostile one, has to beat playing in a near empty box. But, I would take a 1000 at home over 3000 away.

 

[phillyhockey21]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

From what I have heard the facts are these about the ECAC as a whole and how they see the West:
-The Northeast and East point out the fact that Leb Valley was a school who was mid-top of their league for a long time before joining the West where they got absolute stomped on by Elmira, Hobart, M-ville, and Utica. Now because of that they are club. Where in fact it was because the school was not helping the program at all and just letting it flounder and instead of trying to turn it around.
-Having said that if you look at the standings besides Norwich and for the moment UMass-Boston there are no teams who are dominant outside their respective conference. They are afraid if they bring in the West teams then any chance that they have in the conference is kaput as it stands right now Neumann and Manhattanville and Utica are Top 15. Elmira is getting votes and Hobart just crushed Buff St 6-0 who was cruising their schedule the past month. And overall you have Neumann who won the Natl Championship 2 years ago, M-ville and Elmira who consistently are up there, Hobart who has made 2 Final Fours in the past 5 years now and forming together quite well this year, and then Utica who no one wants to play.
-This is easily the best conference in hockey and no one wants to take any of these teams because that means that someone will challenge them for their spot on top of the hill.
-As mentioned before in this thread is the travel aspect which a lot of teams are scared of traveling but fact is for the west they are already traveling from Geneva and Elmira to Rye and Aston and same coming back which are not short rides as anyone who has done it knows. But for the past 12 years, these teams have bucked up and done it without problems. Aston is the furthest south which makes it difficult for some teams coming from Maine but the teams in Mass cannot claim the same as they are just as far of a drive as Geneva is to there almost. Also just ask Elmira how was it to go from Elmira to Neumann and then leave 1 pm the next day due to Bus problems to travel up to Boston to play Curry at 7 that day.

 

[JudgeCruel]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Plymouth State also plays in the Massachusetts Small College Athletic Conference.

 

[UCBadger]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - Biggar's Column

Utica - Home of Saranac Root Beer - what more could you hope for !!!

And they now serve Saranac Root Beer it at the games! $3.00 for a bottle poured into a plastic cup at the same window that you can get one of the many types of Saranac beers poured from a bottle into a plastic cup for $5.00.




Edit: Shoot, you mean I have to leave my heavy chains at home this weekend? (Maybe poor choice of words there.......)

 

[elbojpb]

Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

From Biggar's post today ..

Nothing official has come out of the SUNYAC yet from last week’s winter meetings concerning Utica’s application to join the league. Unofficial sources seem to indicate that the application was tabled for more information, with the final vote deferred until the league’s spring athletic director’s meeting in May.

Over the next few months, the SUNYAC will visit Utica’s campus, reviewing financial information and completing a due diligence review of the program. Utica will also be invited to make a presentation to the SUNYAC concerning their application.

Utica’s application status is being closely watched by other ECAC West schools as they explore options that might be available for their programs as well

 

[Saints17]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Crazy thought here, perhaps the SUNYAC after adding Utica could use the Aud., as the host for the conference finals? One and done type format, games on Fri. and Sat.?

 

[norm1909]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Crazy thought here, perhaps the SUNYAC after adding Utica could use the Aud., as the host for the conference finals? One and done type format, games on Fri. and Sat.?

Huge capacity, sufficient lodging, central location, I-90, Route 12, no it won't work, to logical.

 

[bakdraft21]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Huge capacity, sufficient lodging, central location, I-90, Route 12, no it won't work, to logical.

I think that if work hard all season and win the conference you should be rewarded for it with the home ice advantage.....

 

[Saints17]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

I think that if work hard all season and win the conference you should be rewarded for it with the home ice advantage.....

I completely agree with you, however is the SUNYAC conference thinking in terms of revenue??? I think we need to think bigger, I bet Time Warner Sports would cover the semis and finals if they were played at Utica. Just thinking outside the box here. For me personally I would travel to watch the SUNYAC tourney if it was held in this format, I wonder how many other fans would do as well?

 

[norm1909]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

I think that if work hard all season and win the conference you should be rewarded for it with the home ice advantage.....

I agree, except for the co$t, true when a home team hosts (and Plattsburgh has hosted a few , there is only one traveling team, but I also think there is validity in a "Frozen Four", NCAA style format - teams travel only once, better chance a more significant sponsors, etc. Is it the best? I'm not sure, but I do think it has logical potential.

 

[PSUChamps2001]

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

Re: Utica to the SUNYAC? - 12/14 Update

I completely agree with you, however is the SUNYAC conference thinking in terms of revenue??? I think we need to think bigger, I bet Time Warner Sports would cover the semis and finals if they were played at Utica. Just thinking outside the box here. For me personally I would travel to watch the SUNYAC tourney if it was held in this format, I wonder how many other fans would do as well?

Probably wouldn't have to worry about tickets as much either....