How would a "Super League" Affect BGSU

[MacGuy]

Northern Michigan invited to WCHA.

http://webb.nmu.edu/Sports/SiteSections ... play=short

[WhoDeyBG]

CCHA meeting next Tuesday...

http://www.uscho.com/2011/07/20/ccha-se ... key-teams/

[unfalconbelievable]

There are only 59 or 60 D1 hockey programs. The teams in the Big 10 can't fill out their schedule just playing each other. Even with conference realignment I say we still end up playing Ohio State, Michigan, etc. on a regular basis.

BIG TEN NETWORK will want all those games at BIG TEN venues. IF we are lucky we would get a two at their place (or two series - four games) for one return trip (two games). You are correct in saying that those teams still need to play games and there are a lot of regional teams, but I'm willing to bet that we (mid-major schools) will have to travel in order to play them. They will get the home game, they traditionally draw more fans, and they will get the revenue from the gate. Bad thing for schools like BG, Western Michigan, LSSU, Ferris,etc, those 'big name schools' were a meal ticket for these schools and big draws for attendance when they came to town. Without those schools coming to town anymore, teams better win or they may face some serious trouble. All in all its about money and greed from Bigger Schools.

[WhoDeyBG]

Sent-Trib article about it all...

http://www.sent-trib.com/bgsu-sports/cc ... s-07-21-11

[Falcon Fanatic]

Column in Buffalo regarding Canisius and Niagra joing the CCHA:
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/colum ... 496933.ece

The comments after the article are interesting, as well.

[BGHockeyisRtradition]

Column in Buffalo regarding Canisius and Niagra joing the CCHA:
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/colum ... 496933.ece

The comments after the article are interesting, as well.

I agree with you on this one. The article was just a bit over the top in my opinion. The opinions after the article were probably better than the article itself.

God save the sport of hockey...

Go Falcons!

[Drago]

It is really not a good situation. I still think that the CCHA folds and the WCHA takes Ferris St., LSSU, and AK. Western an ND end up in the NCHC. BG is forced into making areally tough decision on being independent, joining Atlantic Hockey, or shutting it down. The CCHA just wont be sustainable with the leftovers and the 4 Atlantic Hockey teams...I just really don't see it working out well for the hockey team. Location and image of the program within college hockey will force the team out in the cold.

[falconfan1]

I think it could be a very good situation. While there are many many possibilities out there, I might see a reconfigured CCHA with BG, Ferris and Lake State joining with hockey schools rising in funding Canisius, Niagra (great close rivals there), Robert Morris and Mercyhurst and the eighth team being Western (currently literally begging in embarassing fashion for a spot in various leagues- a stance I don't agree with for us) or Alabama Huntsville. Alaska Fairbanks can make the call and do what is obvious- play in the same league as your in state rival and schools in the more western part of the US. Good luck to the Nanooks if they do make that step. Notre Dame can go play BC and the others in HEast if that is their choice.

The above league does several things for us. First and foremost for me, it gives BG a chance to win the regular season and tourney and advance. Then, as documented elsewhere, you are in one game scenarios in the few schools NCAA hockey format. A win, a hot goalie and so on and you are in the Frozen Four.

And then you win it.

It also really helps our travel costs and so on. Those eight schools- particularly if Western is involved- really are fairly easy travel destinations as far as college hockey goes.

Recruits will come- there are 58 schools and there are players. With this staff we will get our players. And our schedule will NOT be a huge issue for recruits. And we will be well located for certain recruits. As we improve, it might be surprising who comes to BG over someone else.

I believe we will play teams like Michigan, MSU, OSU and Notre Dame in hockey. Our schedule will include some of those schools playing in our building. Those four schools will play some road games and do you think they want all of them to be at Colorado College or at New Hampshire? Sure, the schedule won't look the same in three years but it is not, in my opinion, going to be a wash out. And as pointed out somewhere, when we win (and I absolutely believe we will) our fans will really turn out. When we possibly play Robert Morris in league and when we play Michigan non league.

And this move helps college hockey in many ways including leaving the Atlantic League still with eight members and perhaps aiding UAH. I realize some schools are thinking of themselves every step of the way. But, as also stated elsewhere, hockey schools used to talk with each other and work together somewhat. Some still do- to this point.

I realize there are many other possibilities with the WCHA, the WCHA/CCHA, new league and so on. And one might be better in the end. And those other schools to the East actually would have to move forward with a change. But hand wringing over maybe playing a rising Mercyhurst team? I don't get that. I remember when UNO and many other schools were in that category.

To say, we have to jump right now, I am not so sure. Moving at the right time for US might be better.

Go Falcons!

[transfer2BGSU]

......and the eighth team being Western (currently literally begging in embarassing fashion for a spot in various leagues- a stance I don't agree with for us)

I'm glad that someone else thought that was embarrassing too.

[Flipper]

Hmmmm...don't know if I'd consider it embarrassing...I think there's something to be said for trying to get the best possible situation for your program. We may some day wish our AD had been more willing to be "embarrassed"

[falconfan1]

Or we may not.

Go Falcons!

[Falcon Fanatic]

I think it could be a very good situation. While there are many many possibilities out there, I might see a reconfigured CCHA with BG, Ferris and Lake State joining with hockey schools rising in funding Canisius, Niagra (great close rivals there), Robert Morris and Mercyhurst and the eighth team being Western (currently literally begging in embarassing fashion for a spot in various leagues- a stance I don't agree with for us) or Alabama Huntsville. Alaska Fairbanks can make the call and do what is obvious- play in the same league as your in state rival and schools in the more western part of the US. Good luck to the Nanooks if they do make that step. Notre Dame can go play BC and the others in HEast if that is their choice.

The above league does several things for us. First and foremost for me, it gives BG a chance to win the regular season and tourney and advance. Then, as documented elsewhere, you are in one game scenarios in the few schools NCAA hockey format. A win, a hot goalie and so on and you are in the Frozen Four.

And then you win it.

It also really helps our travel costs and so on. Those eight schools- particularly if Western is involved- really are fairly easy travel destinations as far as college hockey goes.

Recruits will come- there are 58 schools and there are players. With this staff we will get our players. And our schedule will NOT be a huge issue for recruits. And we will be well located for certain recruits. As we improve, it might be surprising who comes to BG over someone else.

I believe we will play teams like Michigan, MSU, OSU and Notre Dame in hockey. Our schedule will include some of those schools playing in our building. Those four schools will play some road games and do you think they want all of them to be at Colorado College or at New Hampshire? Sure, the schedule won't look the same in three years but it is not, in my opinion, going to be a wash out. And as pointed out somewhere, when we win (and I absolutely believe we will) our fans will really turn out. When we possibly play Robert Morris in league and when we play Michigan non league.

And this move helps college hockey in many ways including leaving the Atlantic League still with eight members and perhaps aiding UAH. I realize some schools are thinking of themselves every step of the way. But, as also stated elsewhere, hockey schools used to talk with each other and work together somewhat. Some still do- to this point.

I realize there are many other possibilities with the WCHA, the WCHA/CCHA, new league and so on. And one might be better in the end. And those other schools to the East actually would have to move forward with a change. But hand wringing over maybe playing a rising Mercyhurst team? I don't get that. I remember when UNO and many other schools were in that category.

To say, we have to jump right now, I am not so sure. Moving at the right time for US might be better.

Go Falcons!

+1 Great post, ff1, as always!!

[Rightupinthere]

Hmmmm...don't know if I'd consider it embarrassing...I think there's something to be said for trying to get the best possible situation for your program. We may some day wish our AD had been more willing to be "embarrassed"

I'm w/ flipper. This was designed to be submitted to other schools. The posting on the inter webs was to energize the alumni and to gain support from fans of other schools. A good marketing play is NOT, in any way, embarrassing.

I wish BG was as embarrassing.

[bgpuckster]

I am confounded as to why Western Michigan was/is in anyway contemplated to join the "Super League" or whatever their official name is now. They and one good year last year and the coach responsible for it is gone. In fact, they don't even have a coach right now and are having a difficult time getting one. They have never won a CCHA title, let alone a national one. The only way they get in is if Notre Dame makes it a condition for them to join that league. As for those that keep posting that shutting down hockey is an option in BG, dream on. That bridge has been crossed and that has been dealt with. BG will stay in the CCHA if the four schools discussed join. I also predict Miami will eventually find their way back to the CCHA once they figure out the costs of travel is something they can't afford.

[Rightupinthere]

Don't underestimate the need for a Michigan based hockey program. WMU is trying to apply leverage over FSU [who basically should own a better demographic over Grand Rapids than Kalamazoo based WMU.]

It's all about marketing and if WMU can be viewed as a "program with a future" over BG, FSU, or LSSU, the past just doesn't matter in a leagues P&L.

Welcome to the new hockey where money now matters far more than history.