We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

I can't see Suzanne being fired, because among other reasons including gender balance being the admitted primary consideration of new hires, the girls treehockey team just won some game and will host some tournament which is said to be a big deal.

Calling D2 women's bouncyball playoffs a big deal is a bit of a stretch, but I will concede that Suzanne has done well in managing the D2 sports, and will probably not be fired over the hockey team's woes.

 

[techcodemonkey]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

The best case scenario here is that Mroz is directing Cook to give us a hockey program we can be proud of and the authority, not to mention resources , to make it happen. With those marching orders, if Cook is like most executives he will clean house and bring his own people in. As long as the guy is going to be held accountable for performance, he has to have ownership of the program and the loyalty of his subordinates. I'll bet real money that either the AD or Head Coach is replaced, if not both.

Suzanne's job is safe.

The Women's Soccer team in their first season were 7-10 overall and 5-10 in conference, and they play some pretty big name teams (GVSU, Ferris, NMU, UMD). They also just had 5 new NLoI's signed for next season.

Men's bouncyball made it to the GLIAC quarterfinals, pretty big deal since they've just been so-so lately.

Women's bouncyball has won the GLIAC championship 3 years in a row now, with a head coaching change after 2 championships, to be able to keep a top-caliber team together through a head coaching change is huge. D2 or not, being able to get a new head coach with a new staff that can continue the success the previous teams had is great directing, or incredibly dumb luck. Hosting the regional tournament is huge, tons of business for the local area. Tech does get part of the ticket sales (I believe) from the NCAA. 8 teams come in to the area for the 4 day weekend and only 1 team gets to go to the NCAA Elite Eight in Missouri.

This shift in power is likely just a political move. He won't "bring his people in", because he has no people, he's just another higher-up that Suzanne has to go to, to get funds and such. Hopefully he can throw weight around though and get something done. Les has always been a big believer in getting the hockey program back to where it was in the 70's. But at this point, I think John MacInnes himself couldn't turn this team around. Hopefully he's got some good ideas, and this Titanic of a team we have can be pulled up from the bottom of the Atlantic.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Calling D2 women's bouncyball playoffs a big deal is a bit of a stretch, but I will concede that Suzanne has done well in managing the D2 sports, and will probably not be fired over the hockey team's woes.

Selling out that gym for regional playoffs for D2 women's bouncyball is kind of a big deal for a D2 athletic program. Compared to a D1 program like hockey, it isn't really big, but for the rest of the department it is a big deal. I agree that Suzanne won't be fired, she has proven that she can run a D2 athletic program and provide very positive results. The most likely scenario, with Cook taking an active role/interest, is for him to take over some of the hockey responsibilities, whether intentionally or unintentionally. I would guess that he would take an active role, working with Suzanne to make decisions for the hockey program, sort of like the Hockey General Manager suggestion I made a while back.

 

[techcodemonkey]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Last year's D2 Women's Basketball Regional Championship game versus Drury saw 3131 people in the Wood Gym (Capacity, 3200)....that's more people in the gym than the hockey team has seen all season at a single game at home this season with a facility that can hold 4200 people. (Highest game was the first home game of the year against Northern at 3074, and we all know those numbers are a bit off)

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

I'm not stupid - I know it's good for the school and the area. I'm just saying that calling it a 'big deal', in context, is a slight stretch.

 

[techcodemonkey]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

I'm not stupid - I know it's good for the school and the area. I'm just saying that calling it a 'big deal', in context, is a slight stretch.

Think how you will, but the team is ranked 5th coming into last weekend , that's out of roughly 1100 teams (I have too much free time)

That's in the top 99.5% of teams....

And 3rd ranked Delta St. lost a game to the 1st ranked Arkansas Tech, so I doubt we'll go up anymore, but it's pretty big for a school that isn't known for even having girls on campus...

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

I'm not stupid - I know it's good for the school and the area. I'm just saying that calling it a 'big deal', in context, is a slight stretch.

I know what you mean. I would trade never having a win in any sport ever again for a winning season for the hockey team 2 in every 5 years, an NCAA appearance every 5, and a Frozen 4 every 15. In. A. Heartbeat. Hell, I'd trade every win in every other sport from now until eternity to see the hockey make the Frozen 4 once in my lifetime.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Is it time now yet? I think so:

Forwards
Jordan Baker - Brett Olson - Milos Gordic
Tanner Kero - Ryan Furne - Jacob Johnstone
Aaron Pietila - Blake Pietila - Chad Pietila
Dennis Rix - Patrick McCadden - Tyler Gubb
Alex MacLeod - Daniel Holmberg - Reid Sturos
Mikael Lickteig - Bryce Reddick - Andrew Kolb
Evan Witt - ? - Alan L'Esperance

Defense
Steven Seigo - Carl Nielsen
Tommy Brown - Dan Sova
Ricky Doriott - Brad Stebner
Justin Fillion - Nick Cecere
Pete Heinonen

Goalies
Kevin Genoe
Josh Robinson
Corson Cramer

ok, here's mine:

Pietila, B. Olson Gordic
Baker Johnstone Furne
Rix mccadden Kero
Gubb holmberg pietila

extras. pietila, macleod, witt, lickteig, kolb, doriott

defense the same.

and one more recruit to go imho.

The best case scenario here is that Mroz is directing Cook to give us a hockey program we can be proud of and the authority, not to mention resources , to make it happen. With those marching orders, if Cook is like most executives he will clean house and bring his own people in. As long as the guy is going to be held accountable for performance, he has to have ownership of the program and the loyalty of his subordinates. I'll bet real money that either the AD or Head Coach is replaced, if not both.

I believe that the hockey program will get more funding. I do not believe that suzanne is gone and so I will take the bet. how about a beer at the kbc.

I disagree that we cannot get good recruits. however we have had some real bad luck with the top ones in the recent past.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

IMHO ... make that very humble opinion ... the "athletic" committee is merely an advisory board. I doubt they have any real power. its one of those politically correct things. that said several of the group do know their hockey. Tech is having to regroup, due to the budget situation, plus there were some things in the chain of command that just didn't make sense. Suzanne's job is safe.

 

[geezer]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

and one more recruit to go imho.

Another recruit for 2011/12? Not who I was thinking of, then.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Another recruit for 2011/12? Not who I was thinking of, then.

I thought that all of thr recuits that have been mentioned/rumored would be coming in 2 years, at the earliest.

Unless there is another depth d-man that they're trying to snag, or maybe a top pair type d-man from the Twin Cities, possibly a team with the #1 seed in the AA tournament, that Tech is dangling immediate playing time, straight out of high school in front of. Please let this be true. Also, applies to the top d-man from the team that this particular team beat last Wednesday.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Another recruit for 2011/12? Not who I was thinking of, then.

I think it depends on if Olson returns.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

IMHO ... make that very humble opinion ... the "athletic" committee is merely an advisory board. I doubt they have any real power.*

 

[The_Commissioner]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Calling D2 women's bouncyball playoffs a big deal is a bit of a stretch, but I will concede that Suzanne has done well in managing the D2 sports, and will probably not be fired over the hockey team's woes.

The D2 programs have come a long way and credit should be given to Suzanne for improvements during her tenure. However, she is in WAY over her head on this hockey thing. She obviously doesn't have the leadership ability to reverse 30 years of going in the wrong direction. Some managers are turn around specialists but she is not. As for the D1 part of her job, the Peter Principle is being played out right before our eyes.

If Suzanne stays, they could make her a 'Co-AD' (sorry) and let her continue to run the D2 side of the house until the new Hockey AD lays the foundation for future success. That alone will be a full-time job. If anyone can get the hockey program to rise out of the ashes then they will most likely move on to greener ($) pastures and Tech returns to one AD. No matter what, it's going to cost money and if the money isn't being budgeted, then it's all BS.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

for those who think the anti bthc is not going to happen there's this from another thread.

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post seems to imply that Miami & Notre Dame will be joining DU, CC, UNO & UND in a new conference. Hard to say if he got any of this info off the record from the DU coaching staff, is just shooting from the hip or a combo of both. Chambers talks to the coaches several times a week.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2...k-by-me/16229/

 

[aparch]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

for those who think the anti bthc is not going to happen there's this from another thread.

Mike Chambers of the Denver Post seems to imply that Miami & Notre Dame will be joining DU, CC, UNO & UND in a new conference. Hard to say if he got any of this info off the record from the DU coaching staff, is just shooting from the hip or a combo of both. Chambers talks to the coaches several times a week.

Sounds similar to what I heard a week ago. A little surprised about the UNO choice, but it fits geographically.

I'd like to see the remaining WCHA hang on to tUMD for sure, and I wouldn't be opposed to NMU sliding over. There is a *touch* more security (IMO) with the WCHA than there is the CCHA... but I could be wrong, and we'll find out in a month at the coaches meetings in FLA.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Sounds similar to what I heard a week ago. A little surprised about the UNO choice, but it fits geographically.

I'd like to see the remaining WCHA hang on to tUMD for sure, and I wouldn't be opposed to NMU sliding over. There is a *touch* more security (IMO) with the WCHA than there is the CCHA... but I could be wrong, and we'll find out in a month at the coaches meetings in FLA.

I think UNO is getting the nod for that proposed conference because of the talk that they're getting a new state-of-the-art arena on campus, and yes, they are a good fit geographically, when you're talking about a conference with Colorado schools and Ohio/Indiana schools.

 

[aparch]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

I think UNO is getting the nod for that proposed conference because of the talk that they're getting a new state-of-the-art arena on campus, and yes, they are a good fit geographically, when you're talking about a conference with Colorado schools and Ohio/Indiana schools.

I didn't say it was a good fit... just that it fits. Much in the same way that UAH would fit in the CCHA if they ever added a Division 1 team in the Bahamas.

 

[JOHN SCOTT ROCKS]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

From what I'm hearing, they want the Athletic Department under Student Affairs, expect a formal announcement ~March 14th

It was also suppose to be hush-hush, but Les can't keep his mouth shut, blabbing to all the locals

Or maybe I have a good source.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre

Clay Wilson puts the biscut in the basket for the Panthers tonight for his first lamp lighter of the season in the NHL (on a really weak shot mind you, but we need good news so we'll take it.)

Ryan J