Ways to improve???

[AICBroadcaster]

Greetings all.. as you may be able to very easily tell.. i'm one of the AIC Broadcasters.

I'm asking everyone here.. what does AIC need to do so they could have a better team (aside from going down to D3 for hockey.. as we all know there's no D2 hockey).

Could it be new leadership? Harder hitting players instead of scholars?

All opinions that are constructive are welcome!

Thanks!

 

[Dirty]

Re: Ways to improve???

They need to send me a jersey.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Ways to improve???

Well, you guys have had the same coach for 27 seasons, but since joining a conference (MAAC/AHA) he's usually fielded a last place team, correct?

Based on that, it sounds like it would require the college's administration and the AD to start caring about the state of the program. If the prevailing objective is for the team to churn out four-year scholars and just have fun playing at the NCAA level, then the product you see on the ice will follow suit. If the coach knows that he is going to keep his job so long as his players stay out of trouble and graduate, then what incentive does he have to help the team improve? To start winning, aggressive changes in attitude, recruiting strategy, and perhaps even the coaching staff would be necessary.

 

[Pigfarmer]

Can the coach

 

[Beantown6]

Re: Ways to improve???

Agreed on canning the coach.

His record is 265-464-55 over 27 seasons. That's a winning percentage of about 33%. Give him a cushy severance and breathe new life into the program. New logo, new uniforms, new coach... total relaunch. Results probably wont come in the first year or in 5 years or even 10 years, but making the initial change is what needs to happen to even START down the long road.

 

[komey1]

Re: Ways to improve???

I thought they had shown some signs of possibly turning it around a year or two ago, but it has not panned out obviously.

One of the fastest ways to improve is to go after a top goaltender - because they can hide a lot of faults. Being a physical team, but be careful with this, also helps. A team that can outwork other teams can beat more talented teams.

I do think that they may need a younger coach who has some new ideas. When Coach Wright was unable to perform, it sounded like the team was playing better for a while. Now, I admit I don't know the Coach, but it could be time to get someone younger and more interested in winning there. This would be a great place for an assistant coach to get experience.

 

[HockeyO]

Re: Ways to improve???

Stop playing guys that keep making the same mistakes. There are some good players that can play and they seem to take a back seat to players that the coaches cater too. The head coach needs to realize the game has changed, the first assnt who coached last year has no experiance at any level, he was teamates with the juniors and seniors. They need to focus on skill and have the same rules for everybody, this will straighten out the primadonnas who continue to lose no matter how they play. If you keep having the same results (losing) change it try different line combos give different players a chance in different situations PP PK they might be surprised.

 

[hockeyjunkie10]

Re: Ways to improve???

Agreed on canning the coach.

His record is 265-464-55 over 27 seasons. That's a winning percentage of about 33%. Give him a cushy severance and breathe new life into the program. New logo, new uniforms, new coach... total relaunch. Results probably wont come in the first year or in 5 years or even 10 years, but making the initial change is what needs to happen to even START down the long road.

I think a lot of this is right on point. As a coach, I will never say to fire a coach. Coach Wright had a lot of success before the move to D1, so maybe its the infrastructure that has failed him. Either way, I don't really know - it really isn't my place to comment on that side of things. Having one full time assistant also makes things difficult. I think Bentley is the only other D1 team with one assistant (I believe AIC also has a grad assistant - but am not positive).

I do like all the idea as far as relaunching/rebranding the program. Take the yellow jacket off the jersey and just go classy/simple with an AIC or American International or whatever. Also, scrap that yellow/gold jersey. White and Black. Keep it simple. Pony up a few thousand dollars to get a nicer equipment deal with a top flight company. All of these things should help recruiting. I don't know who AIC is using now - but go top of the line with the gear, either way. I know AIC is a small school in not the most lovely of neighborhoods - so I don't know what they push as far as making it attractive to recruits. That being said, obviously, the way to get good is to get good players. I think some of your rebranding ideas will help inject new life into the program and perhaps sway some prospective recruits to AIC. Another poster commented on recruiting a top goalie. This would certainly be the place to start. Start with a goalie, build from the net out and play defensive systems (i.e. trap) until all of the pieces (probably 5 years away) are in place to play a more exciting brand of hockey. Just one man's opinion - I wish all the best to AIC.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Ways to improve???

Overall, it seems that the Athletic Department needs to commit to the program... AIC doesn't even play a full schedule... They can add 3-5 games per year... Their "marquee" road trip this season is a visit to Mankato... And that's it for non-conference games... That right there tells recruits that they are going to a "B" level program... Give the kids a chance to play against the big schools... Give the players a platform to show what they can do...

 

[komey1]

Re: Ways to improve???

Overall, it seems that the Athletic Department needs to commit to the program... AIC doesn't even play a full schedule... They can add 3-5 games per year... Their "marquee" road trip this season is a visit to Mankato... And that's it for non-conference games... That right there tells recruits that they are going to a "B" level program... Give the kids a chance to play against the big schools... Give the players a platform to show what they can do...

I agree with the first statement - they rest is not entirely up to them.

Scheduling is a 2 way street. Currently, AIC offers very little in terms of non-conference games because they don't help the SOS. It's also possible that the game does not even count in the RPI for a bigger team if beating them lowers that score.

Playing the big schools is not benificial anyway - for scheduling I would WANT to schedule bottom feeder teams on the other conferences for non-conference. Give the team a CHANCE to win to build a reputation of being competitive. Those are the teams that AIC should look to schedule. And I would think those teams would consider scheduling AIC in that they have a chance to win.

 

[HockeyO]

Re: Ways to improve???

AIC Broadcaster what suggestions do you have ypu watch all the games and know all the players. If you had your way what changes would you make and what players would you play, lets here your comments.

 

[blackbearsfan45]

Re: Ways to improve???

Overall, it seems that the Athletic Department needs to commit to the program... AIC doesn't even play a full schedule... They can add 3-5 games per year... Their "marquee" road trip this season is a visit to Mankato... And that's it for non-conference games... That right there tells recruits that they are going to a "B" level program... Give the kids a chance to play against the big schools... Give the players a platform to show what they can do...

I completely agree with this - when Maine first made the jump to D1 back in.....what, 1981 or so?, they played the Minnesotas, North Dakotas, BC's, and took some major beatings in the process, but it taught them what they had to become to do to be a contender. Success comes at a price. AIC needs to ask themselves, are they willing to pay the price?

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: Ways to improve???

Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. There is a very strong correlation between investment and program success. The best way to get relevant in hockey is to buy it. Spending millions will get you there. Sadly, not spending the money will keep your program a bottom feeder.

AIC needs an on-campus arena and a serious institutional commitment of funds to be relevant.

 

[UML]

Re: Ways to improve???

If it's been 27 years with the same coach and same results it would be wishful thinking to expect anything to change anytime soon.

 

[HockeyO]

Re: Ways to improve???

A few years ago the players and parents went to the AD and it fell on deaf ears. Most of the assistant coaches that new the game left after a year or two, they couldnt take the BS that went on!!!! The broadcaster knows the deal he sees it he frustrated and has had it, he knows that there is some talent there and its not being used politics.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: Ways to improve???

Hmm, lots of AIC fans showing up here all at once.

 

[kingdobbs]

Re: Ways to improve???

I completely agree with this - when Maine first made the jump to D1 back in.....what, 1981 or so?, they played the Minnesotas, North Dakotas, BC's, and took some major beatings in the process, but it taught them what they had to become to do to be a contender. Success comes at a price. AIC needs to ask themselves, are they willing to pay the price?

That still implies that the teams willing to put these beat downs on AIC actually want to use their rather precious non-conference games on a team that literally offers them nothing more than a guarantee that they have a working bus that will ensure they show up with 18 skaters.

EDIT to add: Also remember that when Maine made this jump, they associated themselves with a league that had most of the top level Eastern regional programs in it, starting with the ECAC and turning into Hockey East, and for a good chunk of the 1980s, that same league had an interlocking schedule agreement with the WCHA. Neither of these formative benefits are exactly available to AIC at this juncture.

One of the fastest ways to improve is to go after a top goaltender - because they can hide a lot of faults. Being a physical team, but be careful with this, also helps. A team that can outwork other teams can beat more talented teams.

Just to note, since the RIT fanbase's familiarity with AIC is somewhat limited, AIC has had better than average goaltending talent in place for a number of years (Frank Novello who played from 02-05 put up some pretty good stats over his four years despite the overall crumminess of the skaters in front of him, as the major example), but it is typically either a weak defense or an anemic offense that dooms the team.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Ways to improve???

The obvious answer is interlocking schedules between AH and the WCHA much like the old agreement with HE.

 

[Patman]

Re: Ways to improve???

First and last answer... the problem is behind the bench... from what I can remember, AIC has never really had the players... if you want to make a mark I'd say try to get the word going on campus... you are a DII team with a DI sport... make something of it.

The only realistic option you have, since you aren't firing coaches with tenure (FIRE MARSHALL) is to work to change the attitude around campus. I don't know what your campus situation is other than you're an obscure Springfield-based private institution. Having small things like a student club or other small actions can go a long way. Now, what does that have to do with the on ice product? If student-athletes see things that give a good impression then you may win them over and beat out the higher D-III programs for the recruit.

What you are going to need is campus investment, student investment, and local investment... you can't control the last one because that requires the athletic department... you can't control the first one because that's on the administrators... you can effect the second one if you are a student... word of mouth recruitment. I'll say this... I don't think Lowell would have half the things they have now (heck, we probably don't have a program) if it weren't for UMLGoon and a few others working to change the atmosphere around the school... I also think putting all the freshman hockey players in with the normal UML freshman students did a lot... but the only way to beat apathy is not to be apathetic yourself and be positive.

----

BTW, the jerseys look better with the yellowjacket on front... ain't nothing wrong with that.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Ways to improve???

I agree and add this. If you don't have a booster club, start one. Get the coach to do some public speaking, do things that up the visibility, have a fundraising campaign to get some new equipment of some sort. In other words do things in a constructive way that the admin sees and then you might get enough money to affect change. It will take time and effort.