WCHA Bound???

[Falcon Fanatic]

falconfanatic, we have a couple years to move up in the CCHA and then move on to a new place somewhere. And win there. It will be very very tough, but we'll do it. And when we do, we will have done it the right way- the way you would expect and want BGSU to do things. In a classy way remembering our roots and those who helped us along the way. Remembering our history and those players, coaches and fans who helped us over the years. It's a little like BG football. We are doing it the right way- not the overnight way. Not the "whywestern" way.

We aren't FORTUNATE to get invited. That is completely wrong. We have earned the right over the past 35 years to be here. Period. They WANT us in their league.

Yeah, we were a little down. Folks who couldn't find our phone number were nearly gone twice and saved by a big donor. Congrats- glad for ya. But watch out because we're coming back. Don't know the year but we are coming. Meanwhile, don't call us. And we won't call you.

The Eastern option is interesting too. But you have to also analyze things in terms of down the road. Are some of those eastern schools fully committed and in and can they support 18 scholarships and etc? While it remains an option, I do understand why we are examining the WCHA opportunity so closely. Divisions might help travel cost, but we'll make it.

Bring it on baby. I'm ready for everybody from St Cloud to Ferris to that big non league weekend with, say, Mich in BG Fri and at MSU on Sat.

Shoot we even are getting a new parking lot. Thank goodness.

Go Falcons!

AWESOME POST, as always ff1!!! I agree 100% with EVERYTHING you said!!! I have no doubts we WILL be competing for championships under THIS coaching staff. I have never talked with anyone as committed to what he does as Chris Bergeron is! There is NO DOUBT in my mind who the real "brain" behind the redskinhawks' recent success was. NO DOUBT whatsoever!!! NONE!!

[falconfan1]

falfanatic, I have never met anyone who has spent 10 minutes with Coach Bergeron and his staff who doesn't believe we made a great hire and that we will get back. This guy is a good man AND a good coach. He stands for something. And knows he has to earn what he/we will get. And he appreciates the opportunity he was given at Bowling Green.

He won't be here forever obviously. But I do believe he will get us back- over time. Not overnight. And that's fine with me.

Go Falcons!

[Falcon Fanatic]

falfanatic, I have never met anyone who has spent 10 minutes with Coach Bergeron and his staff who doesn't believe we made a great hire and that we will get back. This guy is a good man AND a good coach. He stands for something. And knows he has to earn what he/we will get. And he appreciates the opportunity he was given at Bowling Green.

He won't be here forever obviously. But I do believe he will get us back- over time. Not overnight. And that's fine with me.

Go Falcons!

Yup, I've said it over and over to people....Anyone who spends ten minutes talking with that man is ready to sign up to play for him!! I don't know how ANY recruit turns him down! I believe with all of my heart, that THIS coach and his staff, is going to BRING BACK THE GLORY to Falcon Hockey!

[Tricky_Falcon]

Interesting opportunity. And I am glad we as the founding member of the CCHA did not turn our back on others, kept communications up and worked with otherschools. And we will have plenty of people to play. The folks who did not choose to make those calls to Coach (as he states) and our AD and work things out for the good of the game first and for themselves next can play......somebody else.

The heck with 'em. We don't need to call them either.


Go Falcons!

Laughed out loud at your comment about Western! So true!!
And, you're right about NOT calling a certain team to play! I hope they don't answer the phone when THEY call us...because they will!! They will want "bus-ride" games because they will get tired of "plane trip" games that eat through their budget quickly!!

It will be interesting to see if we really do turn our backs on the "brotherhood."

[Falcon Fanatic]

Interesting opportunity. And I am glad we as the founding member of the CCHA did not turn our back on others, kept communications up and worked with otherschools. And we will have plenty of people to play. The folks who did not choose to make those calls to Coach (as he states) and our AD and work things out for the good of the game first and for themselves next can play......somebody else.

The heck with 'em. We don't need to call them either.


Go Falcons!

Laughed out loud at your comment about Western! So true!!
And, you're right about NOT calling a certain team to play! I hope they don't answer the phone when THEY call us...because they will!! They will want "bus-ride" games because they will get tired of "plane trip" games that eat through their budget quickly!!

It will be interesting to see if we really do turn our backs on the "brotherhood."

If it were up to the coach, we would, but he probably doesn't have the final say in scheduling certain games. And since that series would be a bus trip vs. a plane trip, I am sure we will see them after the start of the '13-'14 season. Maybe not that first season of the realignment apocalypse, but eventually. I actually WANT to play them, so we kick the snot out of them on a regular basis!!

[Drago]

We had 3 conference wins last year, with the best goalie in the league, I think Miami would gladly schedule us. At some point the hockey team will have to earn respect from opponents and not just talk about competing for championships. Miami didn't owe us anything. ..they did what was best for them...we would have done the same, we just weren't good enough to be included.

[falconfan1]

drago, there is no way we do the same thing to them in the reverse circumstances. Our coach and AD would never have done that. It would never have occurred that way. The contacts would have been made etc. It would all have been done appropriately and quite quietly. We would have indeed done what was best for us. Absolutely right there. But we would have done it the right way. Our two guys have class and try to to have a vision for the sport.

Might have to trust me on that one.

Remember this is college hockey- not men's basketball or BCS football etc.

And fanatic, we don't have to play anyone. We don't HAVE to call anyone in the area of scheduling. Like most sports, the head coach works with the AD in that area. Some day, things may change on that score and with the memory of the way things went down. But we can get nonleague bus trips- depending on how conference affiliation shake out- with ND, UM, Mich St, OSU, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Canisius, Niagara and, in a pinch, Penn State. I read about Big Ten etc not wanting to leave their bldgs and I am sure there will be some of that. And then there will also be some road games played by those guys somewhere like our Ice Arena as they also look to costs- and we can bus to them.

Go Falcons!

[factman]

"Our two guys have class..............."

Maybe one does! I might throw up! Who screwed it all up in the first place?

[Flipper]

The Big 10?....factman, please explain how this is in any way Greg Christopher's fault.

Did GC kill your dog or something?

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Who screwed it all up in the first place?

Penn State

[jg4242]

Drago, how can we take anything you say seriously when you contend that either Eno or Hammond was the best goalie in the league last year? Hammond was 12th, Eno 15th in the CCHA... Hammond's GAA was quite high, and his save percentage (this is the really telling one, IMO) was middle-of-the-road. Eno's numbers were the worst in the conference. I understand that certain things are beyond the goalie's control, but a great goalie wins games for you. Neither Eno nor Hammy has proven an ability to do that.

[pdt1081]

All nine of
the schools that have to date confirmed
their place in the WCHA of the future
are Division II members that play
Division I men’s hockey. My friend
Shane Frederick of the Mankato Free
Press wrote about that here, and it’ s
pointed out that the WCHA needs
Division I members Bowling Green or
Western Michigan to keep its vote at the
Division I table.

http://www.uscho.com/from-the-press-box ... ay-anyway/

Interesting, to say the least.

[BG84]

http://www.uscho.com/from-the-press-box ... ay-anyway/
Interesting, to say the least.

I'd been thinking we'd end up in the CCHA with a couple (or one) CCHA members, the four Atlantic Hockey schools, and maybe UAH. The four AHA schools are D-I across the board, like BG. And, frankly, I was looking forward to more wins against possibly-lesser opponents.

Then, when Alaska and LSSU expressed interest in the WCHA, I figured we were screwed, and I wondered how things would be different if we'd had more recent success. The WCHA's invitation was a surprise. I noticed BG's nearest opponent is 250 miles away (Big Rapids), farther than any other team's nearest, except the Alaskans. So I figured we're screwed because of travel costs, but the AD makes it sound as if it's not a problem. I'm sorry to see the CCHA, and its autobid, go.

[Flipper]

The probable death of the CCHA.....That's the biggest tragedy to be found in this entire situation. The snobs in the WCHA and Hockey East looked down thier noses at the CCHA for a lot of years. Programs like BGSU forced them to admit that there were quality programs outside of Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin and the NE US.

[unfalconbelievable]

My personal Opinion:

We would be better off to join the schools from the east.
Closer proximity for fans to support team.
Less Travel cost for athletic budget.
Likely to start winning faster and winning helps recruiting.