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Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

kdiff77 said:
Just curious- why Illinois?

I've always been surprised that Syracuse never got even a D-III team together. They have a decent club team, and their women just went D-I, so perhaps we can expect to see a team in the next 10 years or so.

I would also expect that eventually, someone from NYC or Philly will get a team. And maybe Pittsburgh. I could see Fordham, Villanova, UPitt, or Duquesne springing for a program once the economy improves. I'm very surprised that there currently are no teams from these cities, especially Philly and NYC. Chicago is also a surprisingly vacant city.
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The fact that Penn doesn't have a team is totally mind boggling. They have an on campus rink and they are an ivy. Not sure what's holding them up, but they would make the most sense from a Philly perspective.
 
Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

gounhwildcats said:
The fact that Penn doesn't have a team is totally mind boggling. They have an on campus rink and they are an ivy. Not sure what's holding them up, but they would make the most sense from a Philly perspective.
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They used to have a team, but discontinued it a few decades ago. I don't think they're looking to return to the sport, although I absolutely agree that they would be the best fit in Philly. I didn't mention them because I don't think they would ever seriously consider recreating the team, but I'd love it if they did. Then Quinnipiac could leave the ECAC for HE like we all know they're going to do in another 5 years or so, and we could have a replacement for Princeton's travel partner without a problem.
 
Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

dubbie31 said:
Why not Illinois? It is a good midwestern market. Strong sports tradition. They support their teams very well and travel well.

Facilities can be constructed or they could convert Assembly Hall into a Basketball/Hockey facility. I'd love to hear Oskeewowwow at a hockey game!
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Good points. I wonder if they'd ever be interested, though? It's kind of a basketball school.
 
Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

kdiff77 said:
They used to have a team, but discontinued it a few decades ago. I don't think they're looking to return to the sport, although I absolutely agree that they would be the best fit in Philly. I didn't mention them because I don't think they would ever seriously consider recreating the team, but I'd love it if they did. Then Quinnipiac could leave the ECAC for HE like we all know they're going to do in another 5 years or so, and we could have a replacement for Princeton's travel partner without a problem.
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Without articulating it, that's part of what I meant. Penn had a varsity team and discontinued it like 2 years after they built the rink. One of the lawyers I work with is a Penn alum and he can't figure out why Penn doesn't have a team.
 
Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

kdiff77 said:
Then Quinnipiac could leave the ECAC for HE like we all know they're going to do in another 5 years or so, and we could have a replacement for Princeton's travel partner without a problem.
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Woah... we already have one Boston College in Hockey East... we don't need two.
 
Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

STATEdude3 said:
Maybe it is because I am a big-school product,or the fact that I live in a big city...either way I think college hockey's future growth is dependent on bringing in a couple schools with name recognition.

Illinois and Penn State are the first two names that come to mind. Out east Syracuse and Navy are the first names that pop into my head. as much as I respect what some of the small programs have accomplished, it just doesn't seem that they have the ability to help generate interest in a niche sport at the same rate as the larger schools are capable of doing. I'm not taking a shot at the smaller D1 programs already out there, but potential new ones.
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Well at one point there was the Illinois-Chicago Flames, but they discontinued their program. With Syracuse now supporting a women's team I think they are the most likely to start a program. However Penn State is such a logical choice with their big 10 connection.
 
Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

kdiff77 said:
I would also expect that eventually, someone from NYC or Philly will get a team. And maybe Pittsburgh. I could see Fordham, Villanova, UPitt, or Duquesne springing for a program once the economy improves. I'm very surprised that there currently are no teams from these cities, especially Philly and NYC. Chicago is also a surprisingly vacant city.
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Penn had a team and I believe still have their rink. I would think it would be an easier start up for them if the administration ever wanted to bring the sport back.

Also, Robert Morris is in Pittsburgh (or just outside) so there is a Steel City representative.
 
Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

PioneeerHockeyDU19 said:
http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/news/2010/2/12/GEN_0212102104.aspx

ACHA Division I Lindenwood University may be on the move.
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New NCAA rules may prevent DII schools from playing up in a single sport. DII schools that have existing programs that play up in DI would be exempted.

However, Lindenwood University seems to have big plans, as in obtaining the 9400 seat Family Arena in suburban St Charles county for it's athletic program.

St Louis Today: Lindenwood looking to swap real estate for Family Arena

Family Arena has hosted minor league hockey. It has long been thought that St Louis could support collegiate hockey, but the usual suspects were St Louis University or UMSL.

Family Arena

The NCAA will also be instituting a new rule that forbids schools from moving into Division I without at least five years in Division II. Before this rule, schools have moved directly have DIII, the NAIA, or in at least one case from Junior College ranks (Utah Valley) to Division I.

If Lindenwood were to obtain this arena, in five years look for Lindenwood to move their entire athletic program to DI and obtain membership in the DI Summit League. DI hockey at Lindenwood late this decade is entirely plausible.
 
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Re: Your Newest NCAA Division I Hockey Program?

Star2City said:
New NCAA rules may prevent DII schools from playing up in a single sport. DII schools that have existing programs that play up in DI would be exempted.

However, Lindenwood University seems to have big plans, as in obtaining the 9400 seat Family Arena in suburban St Charles county for it's athletic program.

St Louis Today: Lindenwood looking to swap real estate for Family Arena

Family Arena has hosted minor league hockey. It has long been thought that St Louis could support collegiate hockey, but the usual suspects were St Louis University or UMSL.

Family Arena

The NCAA will also be instituting a new rule that forbids schools from moving into Division I without at least five years in Division II. Before this rule, schools have moved directly have DIII, the NAIA, or in at least one case from Junior College ranks (Utah Valley) to Division I.

If Lindenwood were to obtain this arena, in five years look for Lindenwood to move their entire athletic program to DI and obtain membership in the DI Summit League. DI hockey at Lindenwood late this decade is entirely plausible.
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Every so often we get threads with rumors about XXXX school wanting to start a program or "move up" there club team. This one is way more credible than most others.

Lindenwood University is one of the fastest growing in the State and probably country. and there's lots of $$ going into the school. LU is up to 14,000 now which i believe is 4th or 5th largest in the State of Missouri. LU athletic Department is one of the largest in the nation with 46 sports (about half in the NAIA). All their sports are pretty much dominating including men's and women's hockey at the ACHA level.

LU recuits a lot of good hockey players over the seasons since they started their hockey program, probably not many of the current players would crack a NCAA DI roster but more than on most other club teams could be playing NCAA DIII.

The LU Ice arena seats about 700-800 now and with some additional space for stand could proably squeeze 1000-1500. If the school purchased, leased or even used the Family Arena (no permanent tenant currently) it would def be a big upgrade. I've seen some other news stories and it seems like the AD beat around the bush talking about DI, my guess is it is in their 5-10 year plan.

Star2City also mentioned previous rumors of UMSL and/or St. Louis Unv. for hockey. UMSL rumors are far off, the school has a small DII athletic Department and doesnt focus on athletics too much. Which is sad or a big state school to not have DI athletics. SLU has had plans/ a vision for the SLU Ice Arena for a few years now, I think the school wanted to focus on the building of the Chaifetz Arena for basketball first. My guess has LU becoming DI and probably getting hockey before and if ever SLU does (again).
 
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