WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

[blackswampboy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

From my view cutting "research" means eliminating a lot of grad students from campus who are likely attending for little or no cost and focusing on undergrads who pay tuition to help bring in more money.

Except for a school like BGSU, which has a Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship.

Best wishes to Alaskans in getting through the budget crisis.

 

[Jimjamesak]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

First off, let me point out the elephant in the room. Rep. Tammie Wilson is a Republican from the Fairbanks/North Pole district, a district with a former Koch Industries refinery. A lot of science research is done at done UAF, including climate change research. This is a flat out political attack on UAF's research funding with athletics caught in the middle.

That said, we knew this was coming. It's going to be a long and difficult budget fight up here and the majority in the Legislature would rather cut to the bone than institute taxes.

I honestly hope neither of us lose our program. But I don't know the chances of that.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

First off, let me point out the elephant in the room. Rep. Tammie Wilson is a Republican from the Fairbanks/North Pole district, a district with a former Koch Industries refinery. A lot of science research is done at done UAF, including climate change research. This is a flat out political attack on UAF's research funding with athletics caught in the middle.

That said, we knew this was coming. It's going to be a long and difficult budget fight up here and the majority in the Legislature would rather cut to the bone than institute taxes.

I honestly hope neither of us lose our program. But I don't know the chances of that.

I thought I had read that Tammie Wilson was in a district that did not include any of Fairbanks or at least not the UA_ campus?
https://www.elections.alaska.gov/doc/maps/2013-precincts/HouseDistrict3.pdf

 

[Jimjamesak]

I thought I had read that Tammie Wilson was in a district that did not include any of Fairbanks or at least not the UA_ campus?
https://www.elections.alaska.gov/doc/maps/2013-precincts/HouseDistrict3.pdf

Her district doesn't have the UA_ campus as it is mostly North Pole. But she's on the subcommittee for UA funding and a Republican with a questionable history.

 

[davyd83]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

The most troubling thing is that hockey is very likely the most expensive sport at both schools. With the need to make large cuts, but still maintain at least 10 teams, the Faceoff dot will likely be squarely in the crosshairs. I hope things work well for the schools and that the state legislature and the universities can give them the D-1 commitments they've earned.

 

[Jimjamesak]

The most troubling thing is that hockey is very likely the most expensive sport at both schools. With the need to make large cuts, but still maintain at least 10 teams, the Faceoff dot will likely be squarely in the crosshairs. I hope things work well for the schools and that the state legislature and the universities can give them the D-1 commitments they've earned.

On the flip side to that, we'll get to see how much political influence the hockey community has (which I think is larger than some realize).

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

It should be very interesting to see how this all plays out. I understand that Alaska and the legislator are in a tough spot with the price of gas plummeting like it did. Budget shortfalls have to be dealt with someone but I'm sure no one wants to go from getting a check to paying taxes...

 

[Squarebanks]

Except if you keep athletics at UA_ and UAA they need to compete in 10 sports each to maintain DII status and Title IX plays a role in that as well.

There are already rumors of combining the two programs under one "University of Alaska" banner, pretty much exactly how Johnson's Jerseys outlined. The most notable shift would be Fairbanks getting hockey and Anchorage getting basketball.

Can you say "what's a SeaNook?"

 

[Squarebanks]

The most troubling thing is that hockey is very likely the most expensive sport at both schools. With the need to make large cuts, but still maintain at least 10 teams, the Faceoff dot will likely be squarely in the crosshairs. I hope things work well for the schools and that the state legislature and the universities can give them the D-1 commitments they've earned.

It's one of the elephants in the room. UAF is very much a hockey program that happens to have other sports. If push came to shove, I think UAA is more focused on basketball (sorry Seawolves but actions speak louder than words).

 

[Squarebanks]

On the flip side to that, we'll get to see how much political influence the hockey community has (which I think is larger than some realize).

This is a good point. I know UAF's hockey alumni is very well organized.

Also worth noting there has been a big outpouring of pro-University support from all of this. One office said they had gotten over 800 emails on the University and almost all were positive.

 

[mmf]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

First off, let me point out the elephant in the room. Rep. Tammie Wilson is a Republican from the Fairbanks/North Pole district, a district with a former Koch Industries refinery. A lot of science research is done at done UAF, including climate change research. This is a flat out political attack on UAF's research funding with athletics caught in the middle.

That said, we knew this was coming. It's going to be a long and difficult budget fight up here and the majority in the Legislature would rather cut to the bone than institute taxes.

I honestly hope neither of us lose our program. But I don't know the chances of that.

You give Rep Wilson way too much credit for having any kind of logical thought process or ability to think through any well thought out strategy, even if it were for political or evil purposes. Her understanding of any subject is usually achieved in one or two 140 character twitter posts (I’m not sure she doesn’t lose interest before finishing reading all 140 charters), and then she applies second grade math and analytical skills to complex problems and makes irrational and knee jerk motions. She saw a line that said “student instruction” on a one page summary of a $350m budget and decided anything not on that line could be cut. That’s about as deep as it gets for her.

We may get better results and get her on our side if someone tweeted that is was University Research that invented the “blue tarp.”

 

[Jimjamesak]

There are already rumors of combining the two programs under one "University of Alaska" banner, pretty much exactly how Johnson's Jerseys outlined. The most notable shift would be Fairbanks getting hockey and Anchorage getting basketball.

Can you say "what's a SeaNook?"

I doubt sincerely doubt the NCAA will let that fly. It'll open up a huge can of worms that they won't want to deal with.

 

[Jimjamesak]

You give Rep Wilson way too much credit for having any kind of logical thought process or ability to think through any well thought out strategy, even if it were for political or evil purposes. Her understanding of any subject is usually achieved in one or two 140 character twitter posts (I’m not sure she doesn’t lose interest before finishing reading all 140 charters), and then she applies second grade math and analytical skills to complex problems and makes irrational and knee jerk motions. She saw a line that said “student instruction” on a one page summary of a $350m budget and decided anything not on that line could be cut. That’s about as deep as it gets for her.

We may get better results and get her on our side if someone tweeted that is was University Research that invented the “blue tarp.”

I don't give Wilson any credit, but I will give her aides credit. And her aides are likely the ones making those decisions.

 

[Suze]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Except if you keep athletics at UA_ and UAA they need to compete in 10 sports each to maintain DII status and Title IX plays a role in that as well.

I believe UAF already has just 10 sports. Correct me if I'm wrong Squarebanks.

The WCHA is killing hockey with their wanting UAA to give more money to each team in the WCHA coming to Alaska. Has Fairbanks been hit with this too? Sigh.

 

[Squarebanks]

I believe UAF already has just 10 sports. Correct me if I'm wrong Squarebanks.

The WCHA is killing hockey with their wanting UAA to give more money to each team in the WCHA coming to Alaska. Has Fairbanks been hit with this too? Sigh.

We are already at 10, which is the NCAA minimum. UAA has 13, I believe, for those who don't know.

I hadn't heard about any travel increase but it wouldn't surprise me. The WCHA doesn't appear to be raking in cash.

 

[Squarebanks]

I doubt sincerely doubt the NCAA will let that fly. It'll open up a huge can of worms that they won't want to deal with.

It would probably mean combining administration under one roof, and having teams play home games at a designated location within the state.

The only way I'd be for it is if the only other solution was to cut athletics completely. And even then it's not a great solution, assuming our good friends at the NCAA let it fly.

If I'm Bill Robertson and the WCHA administration, I'm worried about this. The idea of losing two teams at the same time due to contraction isn't good news for the conference, no matter where the teams are located. And while some love to hate us for not having the forethought to be located in the Midwest, UAF and UAA have been about as dedicated to college hockey as any program in the conference, if not the country. You don't overcome the geography disadvantage without being all-in and then some.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Except if you keep athletics at UA_ and UAA they need to compete in 10 sports each to maintain DII status and Title IX plays a role in that as well.

I didn't realize there was a requirement for a minimum number of sports to be offered. That being said, I'm gusssing they don't have to be the sports you offer now. Drop track and field and add fencing. Replace basketball with bowling. Substitute a hockey team with golf. If having a certain number of sports is required, pick two or three you really want on campus and the other 7 can be the least expensive to operate to help cut costs.
Ryan J

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I didn't realize there was a requirement for a minimum number of sports to be offered. That being said, I'm gusssing they don't have to be the sports you offer now. Drop track and field and add fencing. Replace basketball with bowling. Substitute a hockey team with golf. If having a certain number of sports is required, pick two or three you really want on campus and the other 7 can be the least expensive to operate to help cut costs.
Ryan J

I wouldn't be surprised if they've already done that...

 

[aparch]

I believe UAF already has just 10 sports. Correct me if I'm wrong Squarebanks.

The WCHA is killing hockey with their wanting UAA to give more money to each team in the WCHA coming to Alaska. Has Fairbanks been hit with this too? Sigh.

UAA got off very lightly being in the WCHA. UAF had to pay for everything for CCHA schools to visit. (I'm oversimplifying it and fully expect a DavyD post to correct me.)

With the New WCHA, it was decided that UA_ and UAA were outposts and should pay something into the WCHA. UAA had to pay more, UAF got off a little easier than the CCHA days.

Also, UAA had a nice Golden Goose WCHA Final Five check every year. The CCHA threw a kick-*ss party for the fans with their smaller take from the Super Six/CCHA Championship and gave their schools nothing. And they liked it dammit!

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

UAA got off very lightly being in the WCHA. UAF had to pay for everything for CCHA schools to visit. (I'm oversimplifying it and fully expect a DavyD post to correct me.)

With the New WCHA, it was decided that UA_ and UAA were outposts and should pay something into the WCHA. UAA had to pay more, UAF got off a little easier than the CCHA days.

Also, UAA had a nice Golden Goose WCHA Final Five check every year. The CCHA threw a kick-*ss party for the fans with their smaller take from the Super Six/CCHA Championship and gave their schools nothing. And they liked it dammit!

Pretty sure UAA had the same arrangement with WCHA as UA_ did with CCHA in the beginning but thanks to F5 money, UAA was able to slowly erode those costs and no one really cared because they were still getting paid from the F5 money.