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For the Sun Devils, it is now down to the WCHA or the NCHC.

http://www.startribune.com/big-ten-will ... 377175691/" target="_blank

This would seem to have implications for Bowling Green, either way. If they end up in the NCHC for example, that conference may seek a 10th member. Would it be Bowling Green?

Actually, I think we should try to become the 8th member of the Big Ten. Even though the teams are technically worse and we'd lose some traditional hockey match-ups, to the average person they would see it as a HUGE step-up. Think about it. We would be playing, in conference play, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Those are big names (outside of hockey) that would draw huge amounts of attention to our hockey program. It would also put us in prime location to win a conference. Additionally, based on the article above, it would seem we fit the criteria for joining their conference: "The source, however, said the conference is developing guidelines for affiliate membership built around three key factors: history of success, academic standards and geographic location." We have a national title under our belt, we have the geographic location, and we've been bringing in some of the best freshman classes in history at BGSU.

Affiliation with the Big Ten would be fantastic. But "academic standards" is where I think the Big Ten would look askance at that. We all love Bowling Green, and it's a good school, but it isn't quite the same type of institution.

To be honest, it doesn't seem clear to me where the Big Ten would find an eighth for hockey. Some fans have suggested Connecticut.

Schadenfreude wrote:Affiliation with the Big Ten would be fantastic. But "academic standards" is where I think the Big Ten would look askance at that. We all love Bowling Green, and it's a good school, but it isn't quite the same type of institution.

To be honest, it doesn't seem clear to me where the Big Ten would find an eighth for hockey. Some fans have suggested Connecticut.

Looking down the list of D1 schools, you are right. It's not obvious.

Possibly Air Force or Army? Denver?

As said in another thread -- North Dakota?

footballguy51 wrote:Actually, I think we should try to become the 8th member of the Big Ten. Even though the teams are technically worse and we'd lose some traditional hockey match-ups, to the average person they would see it as a HUGE step-up. Think about it. We would be playing, in conference play, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Those are big names (outside of hockey) that would draw huge amounts of attention to our hockey program. It would also put us in prime location to win a conference. Additionally, based on the article above, it would seem we fit the criteria for joining their conference: "The source, however, said the conference is developing guidelines for affiliate membership built around three key factors: history of success, academic standards and geographic location." We have a national title under our belt, we have the geographic location, and we've been bringing in some of the best freshman classes in history at BGSU.

I agree the B1G makes the most sense for us and it's our ideal conference at this point in time, but there's no way in hell we're ever getting an invite. The B1G wouldn't take a MAC school in if their lives depended on it.

Critical Thinker wrote:

footballguy51 wrote:Actually, I think we should try to become the 8th member of the Big Ten. Even though the teams are technically worse and we'd lose some traditional hockey match-ups, to the average person they would see it as a HUGE step-up. Think about it. We would be playing, in conference play, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Those are big names (outside of hockey) that would draw huge amounts of attention to our hockey program. It would also put us in prime location to win a conference. Additionally, based on the article above, it would seem we fit the criteria for joining their conference: "The source, however, said the conference is developing guidelines for affiliate membership built around three key factors: history of success, academic standards and geographic location." We have a national title under our belt, we have the geographic location, and we've been bringing in some of the best freshman classes in history at BGSU.

I agree the B1G makes the most sense for us and it's our ideal conference at this point in time, but there's no way in hell we're ever getting an invite. The B1G wouldn't take a MAC school in if their lives depended on it.

Miami or Western would have a better chance of joining the B1G than BG, just not sure how interested they would be. I don't think conference affiliation has anything to do with it, and given the relative poor success of the B1G in hockey since the inception of the conference, perhaps they would be wise in accepting more outside schools to round out their programs. I think BG, Miami and Western would be great fits and would help give B1G hockey a little more credibility.

Word on Twitter is that Arizona State will be joining the NCHC.

not just yet.

1:07 PM - 29 Apr 2016

It is a done deal. NCHC can say what it wants, it is as good as complete.

jpfalcon09 wrote: Miami or Western would have a better chance of joining the B1G than BG, just not sure how interested they would be. I don't think conference affiliation has anything to do with it, and given the relative poor success of the B1G in hockey since the inception of the conference, perhaps they would be wise in accepting more outside schools to round out their programs. I think BG, Miami and Western would be great fits and would help give B1G hockey a little more credibility.

It's not going to happen for a couple reasons.

First, Minnesota and Wisconsin aren't going to allow schools more local to OSU, scUM, and MSU than them.

Second, rumor is it's about $1.5 million to leave the NCHC.

The second reason is also a major hurdle in reforming the CCHA. Gonna take a couple donors to make that happen. That leads to one other development. Adding ASU will put the NCHC at an odd number of teams, which isn't good for scheduling. And if Miami and Western can't leave, they are going to be lobbying very hard for BG to be number 10. Hell of a time to be without an AD.

pdt1081 wrote:Hell of a time to be without an AD.

For something important like this, I I would guess Dr. Mazey steps up and handles some of it herself, working with Coach Bergeron and others in the athletic department.

I believe Jim Elsasser is the acting athletic director until they hire Kingston's replacement. I'm sure Bergeron has made his preferences known to the administration and all homework would be done.

birdsofafeather wrote:It is a done deal. NCHC can say what it wants, it is as good as complete.

College Hockey News says it is happening.

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2 ... g_deal.php" target="_blank

BGDrew wrote:I believe Jim Elsasser is the acting athletic director until they hire Kingston's replacement. I'm sure Bergeron has made his preferences known to the administration and all homework would be done.

Kit Hughes has been filling in for some meetings.

1. The NCHC doesn't want us...why does everyone think an odd number of teams would be so tough for them?

2. We can't afford the NCHC...you're talking about extra flights that would just piss away money. The return in attendance and revenue wouldn't come close to covering that expense.

3. We can't compete in that conference...we would go right back to being a bottom 2 or 3 team every year. There aren't many breathers in that conference schedule...We can hardly handle LSSU, Huntsville and Bemidji.