Re: Who will be the 7th member of the Big Ten Hockey Conference?
Just for clarification purposes, the Breslow Ice Center will house the ACHA team, but was not being built specifically for that purpose. That was included as part of the concept. The Ice Center is being built more to provide more ice time to a town that desparately needs it. We have many groups that want ice time, and currently only the Lincoln Stars Ice Box provides that ice time in Lincoln. The majority of the money for the Ice Center was donated back in '07 or '08 by John Breslow, former state auditor, and was originally supposed to completed a long time ago, but the subject of the arena came up, and construction was delayed to coincide with plans for development of the arena and surrounding area.
As slowe mentioned above, they have at least laid the groundwork for the arena if UNL ever decides to move in that direction. Two things likely have to happen for Huskers Hockey at the DI level to happen, and a third might have to happen:
1) Nebraska is not yet fully vested in the monies coming from the conference. I don't see the athletic department proceeding on adding anything until that happens. I believe that was slated for '16 or '17, but am not completely sure. In other words, we are only getting a (increasing by the year) portion of the monies that the conference pays out for various things. I just don't see anything being started before those funds are fully available.
2) I think TO wants to make sure all current programs are shored up as his main priority with his time left as AD. I don't think it's just hockey, but I don't really think he wants to try and add anything while trying to shore up men's basketball and baseball (last year was first year under new coach Darin Erstad). Once Miles has been here a couple years for bball, and Erstad has a year or two more to shore up baseball, that might change, but those two are more immediate concerns. I think a potential DI hockey team becomes more of a possibility when a new AD comes in. Not saying TO wouldn't do it, just more likely.
3) A major donor steps up with a large donation to get the program started. I highly doubt even TO would refuse monies to get the program started. The logistics and the Title IX considerations could be ultimately worked out if a donor stepped forward. If this were to happen, I'm not sure 1 and 2 would need to happen to get it started. However, without this, I think 1 and 2 likely have to happen prior to start of hockey.
For anyone interested, this topic has been discussed a couple different places on Husker and Mav boards:
http://www.huskerboard.com/index.php?/topic/58006-another-reason-nebraska-needs-div-i-hockey/
That's the Husker site I mostly frequent, and we've had an ongoing discussion of the topic there, and on one or two other threads.
The other place for Mav discussion is here:
http://www.mavpuck.com/mpboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8974
here:
http://www.mavpuck.com/mpboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8786&SearchTerms=Husker,Hockey
and here:
http://www.mavpuck.com/mpboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4455&whichpage=93
Though on that last one, you probably have to go back a few pages, it's really a conglomeration of a lot of facilities talk from Omaha mostly, and a little about Lincoln.
Lot of thoughts from casual fans or very peripheral fans, especially in the Huskerboard thread. But a lot of interesting conversation about the possiblity. Again, my thoughts, for the most part, are above. I think it's possible, but likely will take a few things happening in Lincoln to make it happen. I'm taking a 'we'll see' approach. Would love to see it, think it would be great for UNL and UNO, but will support UNO in hockey til that time comes, and support both schools in everything else they sponsor.
