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Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

S

sweatpants

Registered User
Seems like nowadays the gold standard for athletic departments is to have 3 constant revenue generating sports(football, basketball, w.basketball/hockey). Only a handful of schools have this. Seems like U.Conn could trump all those by having 4 with a larger profile hockey program. So I ask why hasn't U.Conn made a bigger commitment to hockey? The fact that they are a large, name recognized school it would seem like they would be a right fit for a power conference like Hockey East. Have they ever applied?(I do realize their rink is fairly small). They also have a fairly decent recruiting base within the state and nearby.(I believe there's 15-20 Conn. natives playing D-1 hockey). Or do the higher up not want hockey to steal basketball's thunder? I've been following college hockey fairly well for the last 20 years, but this program has been one that always puzzled me.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

i for one would like for mohegan sun or foxwoods to lay ice and offer a home rink for UConn men's hockey!
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

TonyTheTiger20 said:
I stopped when you called hockey and women's basketball "revenue-generating sports."
Click to expand...
Some of our hockey programs do actually generate quite a bit of revenue...

And someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but don't quite a few WBB programs make a profit as well?
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

MinnesotaNorthStar said:
Some of our hockey programs do actually generate quite a bit of revenue...

And someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but don't quite a few WBB programs make a profit as well?
Click to expand...

if UT had pimped out sheryl swoops, i would have paid.:p
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

MinnesotaNorthStar said:
And someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but don't quite a few WBB programs make a profit as well?
Click to expand...

Not many, but UConn's does turn a sizeable profit. I imagine Tennessee does as well.

mookie1995 said:
i for one would like for mohegan sun or foxwoods to lay ice and offer a home rink for UConn men's hockey!
Click to expand...

Mohegan Sun Arena isn't structurally big enough for a rink. It's built as a bball only arena. I suppose Foxwoods could, but even then, games would be held 40 minutes away from campus (and an annoying drive from Storrs down Route 32) in a very unpopulated part of the state, both of which are not exactly the best ways to build a fan base. Just renovate the ice arena, or build a new rink (though UConn has already made it clear they will make no investment in the program) over there, there's a butt load of room behind the soccer stadium.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

slurpees said:
Mohegan Sun Arena isn't structurally big enough for a rink. It's built as a bball only arena. I suppose Foxwoods could, but even then, games would be held 40 minutes away from campus (and an annoying drive from Storrs down Route 32) in a very unpopulated part of the state, both of which are not exactly the best ways to build a fan base. Just renovate the ice arena, or build a new rink (though UConn has already made it clear they will make no investment in the program) over there, there's a butt load of room behind the soccer stadium.
Click to expand...

I always liked that drive (on my way to Avery Point).... but yeah, kinda desolate.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

Patman said:
I always liked that drive (on my way to Avery Point).... but yeah, kinda desolate.
Click to expand...

You're right, it's a nice drive through the quieter and greener part of the state, but when you're trying to actually get somewhere down there in any form of quick manner, going 55 down Route 32 and stopping at random traffic lights is a bit irritating.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

UConn has given zero support to their hockey program and quite frankly, why should they given the success of their BB programs. Men's hockey is one of the few sports that covers its costs for most schools (and turns sizeable profit for others). However, a lot of programs don't make nearly enough in men's hockey to cover the losses of women's hockey.

If UConn could actually compete and excel in the AHA, the school might turn over a new leaf and start supporting the program. With the additions to the AHA, don't count on that to happen.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

Their womens program is already in Hockey East so the added cost of that would not be a factor ... there wouldn't be any!

As to the men ... It should of happened a long time ago ... the fact that it didn't means that it won't!

Actually all of the above could also be applied to Syracuse ... except for the already in Hockey East part.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

Perrenial mid-to-bottom dweller in the weakest conference in college hockey.

Very modest facilities (except in AHA).

Minimal scholarship support.

Modest fan support, with weak attendence (except in AHA.)

The above does not describe a very strong contender for Hockey East inclusion. Slapping a "UConn" label on it does not change that (IMO.) There's a saying about lipstick and a pig.....?

The above describes a very good fit for Atlantic Hockey, which is why they are a great fit right where they are today. Don't mean to slam UConn at all, I love having them on my alma mater's schedule every year. But I just think they are a terrible fit for HE with the exception of the label on the front of the box.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

Hokydad said:
zero chance in getting in Hockey East
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No Hockey East? Probably true, but it's easier to eliminate what is NOT preventing the Universty of Connecticut from starting a D I hockey program.
Neither overly strict recruiting regulations nor excessively rigorous academic requirements are preventing U. Con. from creating a Division I hockey program.

A hockey schedule would compete with U. Con's sucessful if tainted b-ball teams for attendance, revenue, recognition, and alumni support.

Revenue, not academics, is the justification for investing in expensive college athletic programs, and "break even" isn't much of an incentive. This attitude and the practices it engenders create employment for swarms of tax lawyers.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

Osorojo said:
No Hockey East? Probably true, but it's easier to eliminate what is NOT preventing the Universty of Connecticut from starting a D I hockey program.
Click to expand...

Didn't U Conn already make the jump to division one?
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

4four4 said:
Didn't U Conn already make the jump to division one?
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Sorry. Got carried away with the idea of taking "The Jump," which I imagined referred to Ucon using the same recruiting techniques and applying the same academic standards to men's hockey as the school has applied to its other successful D I programs. Apparently this has not yet happened, and this is the not-yet-taken "jump" which is eagerly anticipated.
 
Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

If I understand correctly UConn currently does not offer any scholarships for the men's hockey program so the whole Title IX issue comes into play along with all the other hurdles.
 
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Re: Why hasn't U.Conn made the jump?

I'll be checking back occasionally for the next thread in the UConn Hockey is Sexy series.
 
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