NCAA Hockey Expansion Thread

[Hollywood3]

Sorry to resurrect Simon Fraser’s Quixotic self again, but they’re still talking about NCAA.

SFU names new executive athletic director — What's next for sports teams at the school?

Questions remain about staying in the NCAA, whether football team will be resurrected, and whether club hockey squad will get Varsity status

theprovince.com

The upshot is this: they finally hired an athletic director. The athletic department’s finances are a mess. The hockey team coach still wants to go to NCAA and a tie with BU somehow make the pipe dream credible.

More likely is that the new AD is going to pop the bubble of the hockey team coach, who will then find some other place to pursue his dream, and SFU will rejoin Canadian USports.

The story says that hockey would be privately funded. If some donors are willing to spend wildly, anything's possible. If they don't get their share of home games, I don't see this working.

There is no guarantee they would be readmitted to the CW. They placed a moratorium on new applicants a couple years back.

If they have financial issues, I don't see football returning.

 

[MeHateHe]

The story says that hockey would be privately funded. If some donors are willing to spend wildly, anything's possible. If they don't get their share of home games, I don't see this working.

Steve Ewen's story is poor to begin with. His evidence for private funding is the team's current coach, who's acting as much like a pitch man for the NCAA dream as he is a coach.

The story also cited the 1-1 tie with BU as evidence that Simon Fraser's team is credible, which ignores the fact that the Red Leafs were fairly dominated by Boston. Shots were 40-13 and Simon Fraser had 20 blocked shots on top of that, and Boston hit the post/crossbar three or four times. The game was played in one end of the ice and the tie flattered the visitors.

Men's Ice Hockey vs Simon Fraser (exh.) on 1/5/2024 - Box Score - Boston University Athletics

The official box score of Men's Ice Hockey vs Simon Fraser (exh.) on 1/5/2024

goterriers.com

 

[Hollywood3]

Steve Ewen's story is poor to begin with. His evidence for private funding is the team's current coach, who's acting as much like a pitch man for the NCAA dream as he is a coach.

The story also cited the 1-1 tie with BU as evidence that Simon Fraser's team is credible, which ignores the fact that the Red Leafs were fairly dominated by Boston. Shots were 40-13 and Simon Fraser had 20 blocked shots on top of that, and Boston hit the post/crossbar three or four times. The game was played in one end of the ice and the tie flattered the visitors.

Men's Ice Hockey vs Simon Fraser (exh.) on 1/5/2024 - Box Score - Boston University Athletics

The official box score of Men's Ice Hockey vs Simon Fraser (exh.) on 1/5/2024

goterriers.com

True enough. They also usually lose to Trinity Western, the weakest team in the CW, and had trouble with Briercrest of the ACAC.

 

[Nodak651]

These deserves more views. History of CCHA, Hockey East, and WCHA

 

[mk80]

Some news regarding Tennessee State in this article:

An HBCU Is Betting on Hockey Amid a Financial Crisis

Tennessee State is the first HBCU to add a men’s hockey program. The Tigers have big plans, but they’ll have to navigate a financial crisis.

frontofficesports.com

For those who want the spark notes:
1. The university has a severe budget crisis but is still moving forward with hockey
2. They still don’t have a solid estimate for the cost of hockey
3. The Preds are covering some of the startup And the team will play at one of the Ford Ice Center facilities when (if) they hit the ice

 

[Bonk]

Some news regarding Tennessee State in this article:

An HBCU Is Betting on Hockey Amid a Financial Crisis

Tennessee State is the first HBCU to add a men’s hockey program. The Tigers have big plans, but they’ll have to navigate a financial crisis.

frontofficesports.com

For those who want the spark notes:
1. The university has a severe budget crisis but is still moving forward with hockey
2. They still don’t have a solid estimate for the cost of hockey
3. The Preds are covering some of the startup And the team will play at one of the Ford Ice Center facilities when (if) they hit the ice

None of that is good.

BTW, are you coming to Oxford next week?

 

[JMCx4]

... BTW, are you coming to Oxford next week?

If he is, he may have to bunk with Bonk. Miami home football game on Sat. afternoon 10/26. When I tried to book two nights lodging for that "hockey weekend" a few months ago, I couldn't find suitable accommodations within a fairly large radius around Oxford.

 

[Bonk]

Yeah, and hotels in town are always expensive anyway.

If you're still considering, Hamilton and Harrison have rooms at decent prices about a half hour SE and S, respectively. Wouldn't recommend the Forest Park area.

 

[mk80]

None of that is good.

BTW, are you coming to Oxford next week?

I won’t be making the trip unfortunately, but it’s certainly one of the many college venues I want to get to

 

[Bonk]

I won’t be making the trip unfortunately, but it’s certainly one of the many college venues I want to get to

That's too bad. It's a beautiful rink -- hope you get there soon. That's made all of the recent losing a little more tolerable.

Sorry for the threadjack...

 

[Bonk]

I won’t be making the trip unfortunately, but it’s certainly one of the many college venues I want to get to

Your men were pretty impressive. Very physical. Definitely deserved to win the first game.

Miami played one of its best games of the early season Saturday to earn the split.

 

[Nodak651]

Alaska Fairbanks updated their master plan in November to include a new 3k seat on campus arena. Both UAA and UAF are now planning for new 3K seat on campus arenas.

Robert Morris was just granted 7 million from PA for construction of their new on campus 2500 seat arena.

 

[S E P H]

DU lost to UNLV 7-6 in a SO. Shots were like 64 to 18 or something for DU, but Davis got abused by Rebels forward core.

 

[mundyc3]

DU lost to UNLV 7-6 in a SO. Shots were like 64 to 18 or something for DU, but Davis got abused by Rebels forward core.

Reeeeeebels! One unexpected step closer to D1 hockey at UNLV.

 

[Puckstop40]

DU lost to UNLV 7-6 in a SO. Shots were like 64 to 18 or something for DU, but Davis got abused by Rebels forward core.

Not only is this a huge upset, but I am so unbelievably proud of how much UNLV’s program has grown. I’m alumni and played with this program when it was ACHA division 2, and was essentially guys like myself trying to get one last hurrah of competitive hockey while going to school. There has been so much work being put into growing and legitimizing this program. Seeing this result is very special to many of us who were part of trying to make it what it is now.

 

[Bonk]

Not only is this a huge upset, but I am so unbelievably proud of how much UNLV’s program has grown. I’m alumni and played with this program when it was ACHA division 2, and was essentially guys like myself trying to get one last hurrah of competitive hockey while going to school. There has been so much work being put into growing and legitimizing this program. Seeing this result is very special to many of us who were part of trying to make it what it is now.

They have an NCAA-grade rink, seem to draw well, and whomever does their Twit-X feed and interviews is killing it.

It seems like they've checked off most/all of the D-1 boxes you guys and gals always talk about, so what's the next step to D-1? Securing a conference?

Also, Guy Fieri Arena has a great ring to it.

 

[JMCx4]

They have an NCAA-grade rink, seem to draw well, and whomever does their Twit-X feed and interviews is killing it.

It seems like they've checked off most/all of the D-1 boxes you guys and gals always talk about, so what's the next step to D-1? Securing a conference? ...

IMO, the UNLV hockey program would have to follow the lead of ASU: (1) Find a credible benefactor to finance a well-structured & well-executed DI start-up effort; (2) Get the NCAA to accept the program as a DI entry; and (3) Begin road-tripping as an independent DI team while the AD starts/continues heavy lobbying to find a willing Conference partner. The last two conditions are likely tied for the highest hurdles ahead of the Rebels right now, as the DI men's NCAA organization is busy reimagining their future under the post-CHL lawsuit environment that could see significant conference membership changes in the near future.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

They have an NCAA-grade rink, seem to draw well, and whomever does their Twit-X feed and interviews is killing it.

It seems like they've checked off most/all of the D-1 boxes you guys and gals always talk about, so what's the next step to D-1? Securing a conference?

Also, Guy Fieri Arena has a great ring to it.

Slow down there, you need to get your facts straight and then get your head out of the clouds. @JMCx4 is correct. Rebels fans should be proud and enjoy this win. But it doesn't change anything in their pursuit of a NCAA D1 program.

First off, they don't have a NCAA D1 level rink. It is a rec rink. A nice one. But it is a rec rink. Not even close to suitable for a NCAA D1 program.

Next off, what is next? The same thing they've been waiting on for the last decade.... a ~$75M donation. They've been a top end ACHA D1 program for a few years now. Their club boys get no support from the school are paying north of $3k per year to play. I am sure they wouldn't have any problem getting a conference. But they've been trying to find donors for years.

Beating Denver before getting smoked by Colorado College won't change that

 

[Puckstop40]

Slow down there, you need to get your facts straight and then get your head out of the clouds. @JMCx4 is correct. Rebels fans should be proud and enjoy this win. But it doesn't change anything in their pursuit of a NCAA D1 program.

First off, they don't have a NCAA D1 level rink. It is a rec rink. A nice one. But it is a rec rink. Not even close to suitable for a NCAA D1 program.

Next off, what is next? The same thing they've been waiting on for the last decade.... a ~$75M donation. They've been a top end ACHA D1 program for a few years now. Their club boys get no support from the school are paying north of $3k per year to play. I am sure they wouldn't have any problem getting a conference. But they've been trying to find donors for years.

Beating Denver before getting smoked by Colorado College won't change that

Everything here is correct.

 

[Bonk]

Slow down there, you need to get your facts straight and then get your head out of the clouds. @JMCx4 is correct. Rebels fans should be proud and enjoy this win. But it doesn't change anything in their pursuit of a NCAA D1 program.

First off, they don't have a NCAA D1 level rink. It is a rec rink. A nice one. But it is a rec rink. Not even close to suitable for a NCAA D1 program.

Next off, what is next? The same thing they've been waiting on for the last decade.... a ~$75M donation. They've been a top end ACHA D1 program for a few years now. Their club boys get no support from the school are paying north of $3k per year to play. I am sure they wouldn't have any problem getting a conference. But they've been trying to find donors for years.

Beating Denver before getting smoked by Colorado College won't change that

Thanks for the info.

I'm pretty well grounded and have no stake in it, was just curious what obstacles remained.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

Thanks for the info.

I'm pretty well grounded and have no stake in it, was just curious what obstacles remained.

You said they have NCAA level rink and attendance to match and have a lot of boxes ticked. None of these things are true. Having a good social media presence is not an indicator of NCAA DI suitability.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

If Illinois is competently run, now would be a damn good time to actually initiate a varsity hockey program/arena capital fundraising project.

Between the basketball team being a solid ranked squad and the football team coming off a meaningful bowl win, their best season in ages, and potentially finishing the season in the top 15ish in the rankings, the Illini fanbase is at a near-generational high right now pretty across the board. Have to imagine there are a lot of wallets willing to open in 2025 that might've been closed previously.

 

[JMCx4]

... Have to imagine there are a lot of wallets willing to open in 2025 that might've been closed previously.

Until the U.S. investment market pundits settle on a future state, and until tax changes are solidified, I'd have to imagine that the sounds of Velcro on those wallets will be silent.

 

[Bonk]

You said they have NCAA level rink and attendance to match and have a lot of boxes ticked. None of these things are true. Having a good social media presence is not an indicator of NCAA DI suitability.

Actually, I just said they seem to draw well for a club team, not that UNLV draws North Dakota numbers. I can't find any actual data for their attendance, but if -- IF -- they went D-1, that would only improve, right?

And I never said social media presence means they're going Division I, just noted that's impressive for ACHA. Whomever runs it is certainly aiming for bigger things than club.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

Actually, I just said they seem to draw well for a club team, not that UNLV draws North Dakota numbers. I can't find any actual data for their attendance, but if -- IF -- they went D-1, that would only improve, right?

And I never said social media presence means they're going Division I, just noted that's impressive for ACHA. Whomever runs it is certainly aiming for bigger things than club.

For a club team? They have maybe a few hundred fans each game. Check out their live streams on YouTube. That rink sits less than 300, and that's pretty full but outside of that there isn't even a ring or two of people around the glass.

That's pretty low end for ACHA D1. Minot State, Liberty, Arizona, Ohio, and others all are in actual arenas and have attendance figures in with a fourth digit...