woorat
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 66
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Post by woorat on Jan 27, 2020 16:42:23 GMT -5
With the retirement of the HE Commissioner, I am sure that the new Commissioner will have marching orders to find a 12th team, among other things. This facility is a HUGE boost for Sacred Heart. They will be a perfect travel partner for UConn. If Holy Cross does not do anything soon, Sacred Heart will leave us in the dust. I still say to start fundraising for a multi use facility. We do not have to build it tomorrow, but we HAVE to build it! ADMB must get the ball rolling soon or we can forget about HE forever. I said in another post that time was running out. It is running out even quicker.
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 27, 2020 19:12:04 GMT -5
Thanks Woorat for decades of supporting HC hockey and helping us to have two programs in D-1. There is much expensive recent and current new construction on campus and many uncertainties (in my mind) about the future cost of private higher education. I wonder if the DCU Center for Men's Hockey East games and the Hart for Women's games and non-league Men's games would have any luck vs. SHU's definite construction schedule for a new ice arena?
I also wonder if a safer and surer way to winning hockey at HC is to take the money it costs to finance a new arena and redirect that to top coaching and maximum scholarships in the AHA and WHE, try to get to the NCAA tournament that way and then allow winning to beget winning.
If someone comes forward with $40 million please disregard my thoughts.
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Post by beachbound on Jan 27, 2020 22:25:25 GMT -5
SEC Hockey! Or the 12th Hockey East member!
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 28, 2020 2:42:32 GMT -5
Flying to Georgia to play a league hockey game? What would Greta Thunberg say? I hope environmentalists can pressure the NCAA to restore common sense to geographic league alignments.
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Post by alum on Jan 28, 2020 7:14:25 GMT -5
Flying to Georgia to play a league hockey game? What would Greta Thunberg say? I hope environmentalists can pressure the NCAA to restore common sense to geographic league alignments. It's club hockey. I suspect that they drive. |
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Post by trimster on Jan 28, 2020 7:16:33 GMT -5
Flying to Georgia to play a league hockey game? What would Greta Thunberg say? I hope environmentalists can pressure the NCAA to restore common sense to geographic league alignments. How about West Virginia playing in the Big 12. Ludicrous. |
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woorat
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 66
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Post by woorat on Jan 28, 2020 8:11:07 GMT -5
Coaching is certainly a big part of the equation. To my knowledge, Atlantic Hockey is now a fully funded league up to the maximum of 18 for men. I am not sure how many HC gives, but would be surprised if we do not have a plan to get us to 18. Whatever league we play in, it is very difficult to win and go to the NCAAs. Pearl did it twice and he is one of the best coaches in my opinion. The good thing about being in a top league is that there are multiple teams in the NCAAs based on their RPI. In order to be considered for HE, I believe you need the entire package: 18 Schollies, A top notch campus facility, fully funded program, etc. I also believe that we could fundraise to build a facility. It will take time, but can be done. Make it multi-use for both Bball and Hockey to involve more people. We all know if TPTB put their minds to it, it gets done! ADMB, let's get it done.
One last note, we will never get any top tier players by staying where we are at. Look at Berard's two sons both committing to Providence. What does Providence have over us in hockey? I think we all know the answer to that.
This will take a total commitment from the top down. Not sure it will ever happen.
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Post by cruskater31 on Jan 28, 2020 8:21:03 GMT -5
we need to push for Hockey East. This is the right time, the Worcester Railers STINK, Need to convince the administration this is the right time. Time to get in touch with the AD to get moving on this. Less travel and games with BC,BU, Merrimack, UConn, Umass, Northeastern, Maine, UNH & Vermont, Providence & Umass-Lowell. No more trips to Air Force, Niagara, Canisius, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, RIT, AIC & Bentley. But what use does Hockey East have with Holy Cross? They don't need the Worcester market. They also don't need the Fairfield market either... With the Boston market cornered (except for Harvard and the new D3 power UMB) I am not sure if Hockey East needs any new markets. Sacred Heart ranks 60/60 in attendance this year and 3.7% of the cavernous arena in Bridgeport. Holy Cross is 51/60 and only hitting at 66% of capacity, but in the last few seasons, HC has usually been over capacity. Hockey East is the only show in town in Bangor and Burlington, VT and with the departure of Lowell and Manchester from the minor league scene, they are the only shows in Southern NH and Lowell. With Manchester packing its bags due to attendance, interesting to see the Worcester team chugging along (bottom half of attendance this year and lowest of their 3 seasons but still not atrocious). Bring in a Hockey East Product and see what happens? Sacred Heart has competition from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and I am not sure they would win that attendance battle. That being said, I commend SHU for their recruiting, pushing hockey, and capital investment in the program. www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph_season.php?lid=ECHL2004&sid=2019www.uscho.com/stats/attendance/division-i-men/ |
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Post by cruskater31 on Jan 28, 2020 8:23:57 GMT -5
SEC Hockey! Or the 12th Hockey East member! I believe Georgia which plays in the ACHA DIII (HC is DII in club) had to travel about an hour to Columbus, GA for their practices and games. They have a strong program historically. When I played club at HC, we had one of the nicer barns in our league up there with UNH, West Conn St, Montclair, and NYU. There were certainly some newer even at the club level (but not necessarily capacity). Montclair and William Patterson would pack their arenas and they were all fairly modern |
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Post by trimster on Jan 28, 2020 9:34:41 GMT -5
Coaching is certainly a big part of the equation. To my knowledge, Atlantic Hockey is now a fully funded league up to the maximum of 18 for men. I am not sure how many HC gives, but would be surprised if we do not have a plan to get us to 18. Whatever league we play in, it is very difficult to win and go to the NCAAs. Pearl did it twice and he is one of the best coaches in my opinion. The good thing about being in a top league is that there are multiple teams in the NCAAs based on their RPI. In order to be considered for HE, I believe you need the entire package: 18 Schollies, A top notch campus facility, fully funded program, etc. I also believe that we could fundraise to build a facility. It will take time, but can be done. Make it multi-use for both Bball and Hockey to involve more people. We all know if TPTB put their minds to it, it gets done! ADMB, let's get it done. One last note, we will never get any top tier players by staying where we are at. Look at Berard's two sons both committing to Providence. What does Providence have over us in hockey? I think we all know the answer to that. This will take a total commitment from the top down. Not sure it will ever happen. Based on past history, I would be shocked if your last statement ever happened. Past athletic success has been more of a burden for the administration to deal over the last 35-40 years than something to be celebrated and continued albeit at a lower level than the great national success from ‘45 to ‘61. By administration, I am referring to Fenwick. |
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Post by bfoley82 on Jan 28, 2020 19:25:42 GMT -5
One last note, we will never get any top tier players by staying where we are at. Look at Berard's two sons both committing to Providence. What does Providence have over us in hockey? I think we all know the answer to that. Let's see here, how can I say this quickly? They actually make the NCAA tournament as they have six straight NCAA appearances with two frozen fours, and a national title. Holy Cross has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2006. When was the last USNTP player to play for an Atlantic Hockey program? That is the level of Berard's oldest son right now. Hockey East gets a large chunk of the USNTP guys and will continue. |
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Jan 28, 2020 21:06:54 GMT -5
One last note, we will never get any top tier players by staying where we are at. Look at Berard's two sons both committing to Providence. What does Providence have over us in hockey? I think we all know the answer to that. Let's see here, how can I say this quickly? They actually make the NCAA tournament as they have six straight NCAA appearances with two frozen fours, and a national title. Holy Cross has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2006. Really? Had no idea. Thanks... |
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woorat
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 66
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Post by woorat on Jan 29, 2020 8:44:42 GMT -5
Bingo, bfoley82. My point exactly.......HC will NEVER be mentioned in the same breath as Providence, BC, BU etc. in hockey staying pat in Atlantic Hockey. Unfortunately, I agree with trimster that HC will not make the investment necessary. Play the PowerBall tonight. That is the only way we will get a first class facility!
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Post by hchoops on Jan 29, 2020 9:39:37 GMT -5
Probably a minority opinion
Saturday night, Winter Homecoming, coming off a fine win Friday vs Air Force. We had been a hot team.
Students on campus.
(2000 for a very weak hoops team in the afternoon)
No snow, sleet, hail
Attendance—840, inc a good amount of Air Force supporters (and H.C hockey moms)
And the HC band
Not many students who get in for free.
(And a terrific game)
Why would the BoT lay out a huge amount of $ for a new rink ?
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Post by beachbound on Jan 29, 2020 11:38:25 GMT -5
Agreed, and I do not think your opinion is in the minority. You would need a singular (or small group) of donor(s) similar to Terry Pegula donating huge $$$ to Penn State to make a new on campus facility feasible at HC. However, it does make me concerned about the future of both the Men’s and Women’s programs without substantial investment in the facility and/or coaching staffs when/if that time arises.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jan 29, 2020 12:05:23 GMT -5
There was a tidbit in this article about AIC building a new rink too... "Minnesota-Duluth, Bemidji State, Notre Dame, Penn State, RIT, Colgate, Bentley and Canisius have all built new rinks in the past decade. Penn State, for example, kept its rink a reasonable size, 6,000 seats, and packs it in. Ohio State has a new, smaller rink planned. American International is building a new rink. Sacred Heart just announced a $60 million new arena project." www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2020/01/29_Crowded-Interest.php |
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 29, 2020 14:23:57 GMT -5
There was a tidbit in this article about AIC building a new rink too... "Minnesota-Duluth, Bemidji State, Notre Dame, Penn State, RIT, Colgate, Bentley and Canisius have all built new rinks in the past decade. Penn State, for example, kept its rink a reasonable size, 6,000 seats, and packs it in. Ohio State has a new, smaller rink planned. American International is building a new rink. Sacred Heart just announced a $60 million new arena project." www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2020/01/29_Crowded-Interest.phpAIC won the AHA and made the NCAA while playing at the Mass Mutual Center (similar to the DCU Center.). I'm a little surprised to hear they are building a new facility but Hockey is their only D-1 sport so maybe they are focusing their facilities fundraising on Hockey while the buzz is still in the air. A run to the NCAA in the AHA by HC would be a rose by another name than Hockey East, but would still smell pretty good. |
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Post by bfoley82 on Jan 29, 2020 16:30:59 GMT -5
There was a tidbit in this article about AIC building a new rink too... "Minnesota-Duluth, Bemidji State, Notre Dame, Penn State, RIT, Colgate, Bentley and Canisius have all built new rinks in the past decade. Penn State, for example, kept its rink a reasonable size, 6,000 seats, and packs it in. Ohio State has a new, smaller rink planned. American International is building a new rink. Sacred Heart just announced a $60 million new arena project." www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2020/01/29_Crowded-Interest.phpAIC won the AHA and made the NCAA while playing at the Mass Mutual Center (similar to the DCU Center.). I'm a little surprised to hear they are building a new facility but Hockey is their only D-1 sport so maybe they are focusing their facilities fundraising on Hockey while the buzz is still in the air. A run to the NCAA in the AHA by HC would be a rose by another name than Hockey East, but would still smell pretty good. Women's Rugby at AIC is a Varsity program but not sure how they quantify if it is D-1, D-2, or D-3. They do have a roster from around the country....https://aicyellowjackets.com/sports/womens-rugby/roster |
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Post by classof83 on Jan 30, 2020 22:53:27 GMT -5
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 30, 2020 23:48:41 GMT -5
ACC hockey would be a step down for a BC. You get a great league that has geographic integrity and local interest and somebody is always unhappy.
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Post by cruskater31 on Jan 31, 2020 9:42:46 GMT -5
Thanks Woorat for decades of supporting HC hockey and helping us to have two programs in D-1. There is much expensive recent and current new construction on campus and many uncertainties (in my mind) about the future cost of private higher education. I wonder if the DCU Center for Men's Hockey East games and the Hart for Women's games and non-league Men's games would have any luck vs. SHU's definite construction schedule for a new ice arena? I also wonder if a safer and surer way to winning hockey at HC is to take the money it costs to finance a new arena and redirect that to top coaching and maximum scholarships in the AHA and WHE, try to get to the NCAA tournament that way and then allow winning to beget winning. If someone comes forward with $40 million please disregard my thoughts. Very interesting post, longsuffering. There is no doubt about the influence of good coaching and good recruiting. I remember the character of some of my classmates and friends who were stellar students and athletes as bio majors, pre-med, econ, and others. These were also students who went deep into the playoffs each year. It would be an interesting comparison between DCU-Hart and the new SHU Arena. |
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 3, 2020 18:00:26 GMT -5
Sacred Heart's audited financial statement from 2016 (if I want later years, I have to call the school, --not a good sign.) > Debt ($126 million) as of June 30, 2016 was not too bad. (HC was $160 million, June 30, 2019.) Based on that, I would say this new rink will be bought by issuing bonds. > Their endowment is poorly managed, no growth in endowment value in 2015 and 2016. > The endowment is so financially strained that the university distributes little of the endowment for university operations. Such paltry sums would not be allowed under Massachusetts law. mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wshu/files/shu_audited_financials_6-30-16_final_0.pdf_____________________________ With financing costs, this is a $90+ million arena. It will NEVER pay for itself. SHU doesn't need 4,000 seats for Atlantic Hockey, or for ECAC hockey either. This rink, IMO, is their ticket to HE. |
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Feb 3, 2020 18:24:28 GMT -5
I wonder if some of this push for amalgamation into a conference is because the admin / support costs for a stand-alone ice hockey league seem to be high. Men's ice hockey costs BC $4.3M, BU $3.5M, Northeastern $3.0M, Providence $3.7M, compared to Colgate playing in the ECAC $2.2M. |
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Feb 3, 2020 19:35:08 GMT -5
PP - interesting article.
It mentions that if any all-sports conference were to take over the Hockey East banner, it would be America East. UMass-Lowell, Vermont, UNH and Maine are already members. BU, Northeastern and Merrimack I imagine would all leave the PL, CAA and NEC respectively for the A-EAST if it meant cementing membership in the best hockey league in the country. As an alum who has followed HC exclusively in the PL era, I would be in favor of moving all sports to the A-East tomorrow if it meant getting into this hockey conference. Obviously, UMASS, BC, UConn and Providence would remain in as affiliates as the A-10, ACC and Big East won't be sponsoring ice hockey anytime soon.
Although if ACTP had a vote in the proceedings, UCONN might end up being forced to pack their bags for the AHA.
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Post by longsuffering on Feb 3, 2020 19:42:33 GMT -5
Sacred Heart's audited financial statement from 2016 (if I want later years, I have to call the school, --not a good sign.) > Debt ($126 million) as of June 30, 2016 was not too bad. (HC was $160 million, June 30, 2019.) Based on that, I would say this new rink will be bought by issuing bonds. > Their endowment is poorly managed, no growth in endowment value in 2015 and 2016. > The endowment is so financially strained that the university distributes little of the endowment for university operations. Such paltry sums would not be allowed under Massachusetts law. mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wshu/files/shu_audited_financials_6-30-16_final_0.pdf_____________________________ With financing costs, this is a $90+ million arena. It will NEVER pay for itself. SHU doesn't need 4,000 seats for Atlantic Hockey, or for ECAC hockey either. This rink, IMO, is their ticket to HE. Heaven forbid Fairfield spends $90 million and then BU, BC, Northeastern, Merrimack, UML and Maine say they don't want to drive through Worcester to get to Fairfield and vote for the Crusaders to join H.E.? I'm thinking there must be the promise of a good amount of donations for this white elephant to make any sense. |
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