Re: WISCONSIN HOCKEY 09-10 - Climbing The Mountain (7th Edition?)
I would say that indeed the big programs exert a greater influence on the college hockey landscape than do the powers in college football, as evidenced by the fact that the 5 big ten schools provide the vast majority of financial clout in the CCHA and WCHA than do the other schools comprising those conferences. Especially given the fact that the big ten schools provide an immmense portion of the NCAA financial haul from a percentage standpoint. Moreover considering the haul those 5 teams bring in a sport that has 50 plus teams.
With the limited resources the other schools bring, I just don't see how colluding into a single big ten conference benefits the NCAA as a whole. The resulting CCHA and WCHA conferences omitting big ten teams would hardly stand as viable financial concerns. The net effect would stand as a net loss for college hockey, and thus for all teams involved.
Alternatively, I can see the benefit (from the fans standpoint) of each big ten team committing to a a non conference schedule that would lead to a big ten champion; although from an NCAA qualification standpoint the teams would likely frown on it.
In the end it appears that all concerned need to leave the leagues as they stand. The current state of the CHA proves how hockey stands on relatively shakey NCAA ground. Schools not affiliated with larger schools in a conference have recently proven they lack staying power.
As far as fans loving the provinciality of the sport, I believe that college fans will love their teams regardless of the size of the sport. The teams will continue to see fan support because anyone that has attended those schools "drinks the coolaid." For example I can attest that every football weekend I watch the UW games at the San Diego UW bar. Each weekend I see a couple of hundred alumni with whom I watch the game. Same goes for hockey games. The size of the sport doesn't seem to matter.
And finally, Penn State has a fairly successfull club team that has made grumblings about potentially moving to D1. I am sure that if anyone associated with D1 big ten programs wanted to form a Big Ten conference, adding a D1 Penn State might look very attractive. Big school, somewhat east coast presence......who knows. Therefore, maybe the waters will get tested more sooner than later.
Just thoughts.
I would say that indeed the big programs exert a greater influence on the college hockey landscape than do the powers in college football, as evidenced by the fact that the 5 big ten schools provide the vast majority of financial clout in the CCHA and WCHA than do the other schools comprising those conferences. Especially given the fact that the big ten schools provide an immmense portion of the NCAA financial haul from a percentage standpoint. Moreover considering the haul those 5 teams bring in a sport that has 50 plus teams.
With the limited resources the other schools bring, I just don't see how colluding into a single big ten conference benefits the NCAA as a whole. The resulting CCHA and WCHA conferences omitting big ten teams would hardly stand as viable financial concerns. The net effect would stand as a net loss for college hockey, and thus for all teams involved.
Alternatively, I can see the benefit (from the fans standpoint) of each big ten team committing to a a non conference schedule that would lead to a big ten champion; although from an NCAA qualification standpoint the teams would likely frown on it.
In the end it appears that all concerned need to leave the leagues as they stand. The current state of the CHA proves how hockey stands on relatively shakey NCAA ground. Schools not affiliated with larger schools in a conference have recently proven they lack staying power.
As far as fans loving the provinciality of the sport, I believe that college fans will love their teams regardless of the size of the sport. The teams will continue to see fan support because anyone that has attended those schools "drinks the coolaid." For example I can attest that every football weekend I watch the UW games at the San Diego UW bar. Each weekend I see a couple of hundred alumni with whom I watch the game. Same goes for hockey games. The size of the sport doesn't seem to matter.
And finally, Penn State has a fairly successfull club team that has made grumblings about potentially moving to D1. I am sure that if anyone associated with D1 big ten programs wanted to form a Big Ten conference, adding a D1 Penn State might look very attractive. Big school, somewhat east coast presence......who knows. Therefore, maybe the waters will get tested more sooner than later.
Just thoughts.
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