WCHA Bound???

[pdt1081]

So it appears some people are upset that the athletic department has been relatively quiet during this whole process?

Might I ask why everyone is in such a hurry? It's called due diligence and the athletic department is exercising it. And good for them. God forbid we rush into something we might not totally want.

The WCHA (which is a great hockey conference, btw) has given us a flexible deadline and that means they're willing to wait for us. Also good news.

I don't see where any of this is bad news.... all situations look like BG will continue to play D1 hockey in the future. What's not to like?

I agree with what you're saying. I've often been critical of Christopher, and while I'm still not a fan of his, it appears he is actually trying to put BG in the best situation to move forward in rebuilding this team.

[joehockey]

It is absolutely amazing how fast the tune is changing among fans on this board. At first it was, we don't want to play those no-name schools, no fans will come watch Canisius et al play at home, our league won't mean anything now, that we're BGSU like it means anything and that we have history, a National Championship, we want to compete with the best! Blah blah blah! No these very same people are saying let's not rush any decisions and now the idea of having Atlantic hockey schools join up is somehow appealing? Make up your minds people. What happened to all this talk about playing with the best, competing with the best and beating the best? My how a few months has changed opinions.

[BGFan]

So if Krebs was so bad why are people slamming GC? The parking lot is getting paved, lobby renovated, new sound system and all new ice making equipment last summer, an awesome new coach, how does that equate to GC not caring about BGSU hockey? We are going to be a national power again very soon.

These had very little to do with GC. The ice arena is not considered a sports building and does not fall under the control of the athletic department.

[Tricky_Falcon]

More from Bruce Ciskie http://bit.ly/nJCXtP

Bowling Green Meets with AHA Schools, Buffalo
Greetings. Those who are Twitter followers (http://www.twitter.com/bruceciskie) got the first look at this news, but now that I have a spare moment, I figured I'd share it here for those who despise Twitter and all its evils.

According to a source, there might be a perfectly good reason Bowling Green hasn't yet accepted its WCHA invitation, and has apparently been given an extension on its 30-day window. This source tells me that Bowling Green has met with four schools that currently field Atlantic Hockey Association programs -- Canisius, Mercyhurst, Niagara, and Robert Morris -- about potentially starting a new league.

Also in on the meeting, per this source, was the University of Buffalo, which has a club team but no Division I varsity program.

The source also noted that RIT and Air Force were invited to the meeting, but RIT apparently wasn't interested, and Air Force, while interested, couldn't get a representative to the meeting.

The Buffalo angle sure is interesting. The Bulls are in the MAC in all sports, and their club team plays in an 1,800-seat building not far from campus. Robert Morris plays in a smaller building. Canisius plays in one the same size. My point? It's not like Buffalo would need a shiny new arena to be on a level playing field with the rest of these schools.

For Bowling Green, there are some perfectly good reasons why this might be a more attractive option than going to the WCHA, and much if it surrounds travel. Instead of flying to Alaska twice some seasons and always at least once, the Falcons would be able to board a bus for all their conference road trips (the farthest trip, Buffalo, is a smidge over 300 miles away).

There have been questions via Twitter and my e-mail about Alabama-Huntsville. Sadly, I still haven't heard that school connected with any conference. No matter where they end up (assuming they do), they're going to have to help subsidize the travel for the rest of the league. This new league is probably UAH's best option, assuming it gets past what appears to be quite the preliminary stage. The shortest road trip in this configuration would be over 500 miles to Bowling Green, but at least they wouldn't have to worry about going to Minnesota, Upper Michigan, or Alaska.

I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

[pdt1081]

Apparently emailed to people associated with UB
Originally Posted by :
The following is a statement from
University at Buffalo Vice President and
Director of Athletics Warde Manuel as it
relates to rumors about UB adding men's
ice hockey. This is the only public
comment the department will be making
at this time:
“The University at Buffalo athletic
department has been in conversations
with established Division I hockey
conferences to examine the possibility of
returning our hockey program . While we
are flattered to have these discussions
there are several things that would need
to occur both fiscally and within
conference alignments for this to work
for UB at this time.”

[toddpav]

It is absolutely amazing how fast the tune is changing among fans on this board. At first it was, we don't want to play those no-name schools, no fans will come watch Canisius et al play at home, our league won't mean anything now, that we're BGSU like it means anything and that we have history, a National Championship, we want to compete with the best! Blah blah blah! No these very same people are saying let's not rush any decisions and now the idea of having Atlantic hockey schools join up is somehow appealing? Make up your minds people. What happened to all this talk about playing with the best, competing with the best and beating the best? My how a few months has changed opinions.

No-name schools? Air Force, RIT, etc.... WCHA schools... those are not no name schools. Sure, some of the Atlantic Hockey Schools are not well regarded in d1 hockey, but d1 hockey is d1 hockey.

Its all well and good to say we want to compete with the best, but its also nice to play hockey period. Let's be realistic. And FWIW, I've never gone on record saying we should only compete with the best. I must've missed those posts.

[BGDrew]

Playing in the WCHA is not ideal due to the exponentially greater travel costs. But, if the rumors are to be believed we are tiptoeing down a very dangerous line right now. If we can somehow get the AH schools plus one there's a chance to make a conference out of that. But, if any school backs out or decides to drop hockey the conference is done and we could find ourselves with no seat at the table.

A six team league is far from ideal.

[Siborg]

All the more reason to include UAH. Make sure we get to 6 and then work on some of our MAC brethern. Maybe ND would even be willing to join for a while until they decide what to do long term. From their perspective its almost an automatic bid to the tournament and lower travel costs. I know, I know, it ain't going to happen.

[FalconTurf]

This has been a very interesting and educational thread. I've got to believe the events of this year will not be accurately judged today, tomorrow or next week. Only time will tell if the right decisions were made.

[rood]

This has been a very interesting and educational thread. I've got to believe the events of this year will not be accurately judged today, tomorrow or next week. Only time will tell if the right decisions were made.

Hey you! This is the internet, stop being reasonable!

[joehockey]

I think if there is one thing we can all agree on it's that Terry Pegula is the best/worst thing to come along and happen to College hockey in some time, depending on how you look at it. Without Terry, the BTHC probably doesn't exists, not for right now anyways, and PSU doesn't have a program without his massive donation. Also, with the mention of Canisius getting a new rink on campus through the Sabres who Terry own's and now the talk of UBuffalo joining DI hockey, you have to think terry has had something to do with that too. The ultimate college hockey philanthropist! And if UB were to add hockey think of the rivalries between the schools in western New York with Canisius, UB, Niagara, RIT and Mercyhurst not to far away either.

[joehockey]

@toddpav...don't take this the wrong way but if you think the left over's from the WCHA and schools like Air Force and RIT constitute "name" schools after having the likes of OSU, MSU, U of M and Miami roll through the previous 20 + years as part of conference play, I'm not sure what to tell ya. RIT is a DII/III school that gives partial-aid and there is zero chance Air Force is regarded as a high level program. They're both good programs that have had decent success in the past few years, but they compete in the "weakest" conference in college hockey and until 5 or 6 years ago RIT was DIII and AF competed in the CHA, so let's not blow them up to much. If we were to join the WCHA or form a new league it could only be done with the assumption that we would compete for conference championships every year. We would be the only legit DI school in the whole conference and anything less then winning would be scene as a failure in my eyes. I will say tho, if it's between joining a new look WCHA/forming a new league or nothing at all, I'll take hockey over nothing at all every single time.

[Freddie]

It is absolutely amazing how fast the tune is changing among fans on this board. At first it was, we don't want to play those no-name schools, no fans will come watch Canisius et al play at home, our league won't mean anything now, that we're BGSU like it means anything and that we have history, a National Championship, we want to compete with the best! Blah blah blah! No these very same people are saying let's not rush any decisions and now the idea of having Atlantic hockey schools join up is somehow appealing? Make up your minds people. What happened to all this talk about playing with the best, competing with the best and beating the best? My how a few months has changed opinions.

Opinions are changing because the situation continues to evolve.
With Western and St Cloud going to the NCHC, the WCHA option looks less attractive than it did just a week ago.
I am pleased to see our AD looking outside the box and considering all options.

[pdt1081]

@toddpav...don't take this the wrong way but if you think the left over's from the WCHA and schools like Air Force and RIT constitute "name" schools after having the likes of OSU, MSU, U of M and Miami roll through the previous 20 + years as part of conference play, I'm not sure what to tell ya. RIT is a DII/III school that gives partial-aid and there is zero chance Air Force is regarded as a high level program. They're both good programs that have had decent success in the past few years, but they compete in the "weakest" conference in college hockey and until 5 or 6 years ago RIT was DIII and AF competed in the CHA, so let's not blow them up to much. If we were to join the WCHA or form a new league it could only be done with the assumption that we would compete for conference championships every year. We would be the only legit DI school in the whole conference and anything less then winning would be scene as a failure in my eyes. I will say tho, if it's between joining a new look WCHA/forming a new league or nothing at all, I'll take hockey over nothing at all every single time.

Air Force and RIT are more successful over the last 10 years than all of the "new look" WCHA combined.

[toddpav]

@toddpav...don't take this the wrong way but if you think the left over's from the WCHA and schools like Air Force and RIT constitute "name" schools after having the likes of OSU, MSU, U of M and Miami roll through the previous 20 + years as part of conference play, I'm not sure what to tell ya. RIT is a DII/III school that gives partial-aid and there is zero chance Air Force is regarded as a high level program. They're both good programs that have had decent success in the past few years, but they compete in the "weakest" conference in college hockey and until 5 or 6 years ago RIT was DIII and AF competed in the CHA, so let's not blow them up to much. If we were to join the WCHA or form a new league it could only be done with the assumption that we would compete for conference championships every year. We would be the only legit DI school in the whole conference and anything less then winning would be scene as a failure in my eyes. I will say tho, if it's between joining a new look WCHA/forming a new league or nothing at all, I'll take hockey over nothing at all every single time.

Air Force and RIT are more successful over the last 10 years than all of the "new look" WCHA combined.

That, and who said OSU was a big name hockey school? Michigan? sure. MSU? Sure. Miami? Only recently. Notre Dame, yep. OSU, nope.
We've enjoyed competition with some of the best teams in the nations while in the CCHA. Let's just not pretend that our crap doesn't stink and think that we are too good to play in another league without the names listed above.