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Post by HC92 on Sept 16, 2016 8:32:04 GMT -5
I am sure there have been talks. Both sources might technically be correct assuming HC made the first approach (as opposed to HE) and HC has not filed a formal application for membership. More likely, HC asked what it would take to be successful in a future application and is now working on checking those boxes (including lining up a deal with the DCU). We may not ultimately be successful but I am confident we are actively taking steps now to give us the greatest likelihood of success.
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Post by matunuck on Sept 16, 2016 8:42:55 GMT -5
Oddly worded USCHO update. We'll see.
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Post by HC1843 on Sept 16, 2016 8:57:14 GMT -5
ACTP,
What's the word on this?
A PM would suffice. :-)
Cheers.
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Post by bigfan on Sept 16, 2016 13:56:19 GMT -5
What's going on here? Who started the initial report that HC was asked about joining HE? I hope that this story does not get our hopes up and then it turns out to be a false story.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Sept 16, 2016 14:26:38 GMT -5
ACTP, What's the word on this? A PM would suffice. :-) Cheers. HC is actively and aggressively seeking a HE nod. Will they get it? We should know soon enough. The USCHO report is akin to a coach who when asked about rumors of him leaving for a better job by the media tells them he loves his job, is going nowhere, then leaves a week later for greener pastures.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Sept 16, 2016 14:28:30 GMT -5
What's going on here? Who started the initial report that HC was asked about joining HE? I hope that this story does not get our hopes up and then it turns out to be a false story. See the first post in this thread. Was reported in the T&G.
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Post by Sader Fan on Sept 17, 2016 22:53:27 GMT -5
The Providence Bruins and the PC Friars both play Hocky at the Dunk and have successfully coexisted for years. Having the Railers and Crusaders share the DCU will not be a problem.
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Post by hc80 on Sept 18, 2016 4:06:58 GMT -5
Just to clarify, the Friars do not play at the Dunk - they have their own on campus facility.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 18, 2016 6:33:22 GMT -5
Didn't the Yankees and Mets share Shea Stadium when Yankee Stadium was being renovated in the 1970's? Each played 81 games over a six month period and they managed to make it work. I think two hockey teams can make it work.
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Post by HC92 on Sept 18, 2016 7:41:15 GMT -5
Didn't the Yankees and Mets share Shea Stadium when Yankee Stadium was being renovated in the 1970's? Each played 81 games over a six month period and they managed to make it work. I think two hockey teams can make it work. The main difference is that, in that case, you had two teams with established fan bases sharing a massive number of baseball fans in greater NY. In the hockey case, you have what essentially will be two new teams trying to attract and share a fairly small pie of hockey fans in greater Worcester. The Railers were going to fail anyway. The presence of HC as a HE team will just make an impossible task even harder.
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Post by timholycross on Sept 18, 2016 10:12:13 GMT -5
While he probably would not have advocated this kind of move, Father Brooks would always say that Holy Cross needed to do what was in the best interests of Holy Cross; therefore, that's what I think they should do in this situation.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Sept 18, 2016 11:39:41 GMT -5
Didn't the Yankees and Mets share Shea Stadium when Yankee Stadium was being renovated in the 1970's? Each played 81 games over a six month period and they managed to make it work. I think two hockey teams can make it work. The main difference is that, in that case, you had two teams with established fan bases sharing a massive number of baseball fans in greater NY. In the hockey case, you have what essentially will be two new teams trying to attract and share a fairly small pie of hockey fans in greater Worcester. The Railers were going to fail anyway. The presence of HC as a HE team will just make an impossible task even harder. I get that. I was thinking more along the lines of the scheduling issues, suggesting that they were not insurmountable
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Post by sader1970 on Sept 18, 2016 12:20:01 GMT -5
"More taste; less filling!"
Stop! You are both right! 😊
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Post by HC92 on Sept 18, 2016 18:27:38 GMT -5
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Post by Chu Chu on Sept 19, 2016 11:15:57 GMT -5
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Post by hchoops on Sept 19, 2016 11:28:03 GMT -5
Chu this article led off this thread
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Post by wooman on Sept 19, 2016 11:28:04 GMT -5
While he probably would not have advocated this kind of move, Father Brooks would always say that Holy Cross needed to do what was in the best interests of Holy Cross; therefore, that's what I think they should do in this situation. I think an unfortunate reality to Fr. Brooks' legacy is that the HC increasingly became an island unto itself and became quite detached from Worcester and central MA. Whereas generations ago, Holy Cross was an important part of the fabric of the city (among both alums and non-alums), that far less the case today. Big East membership in the late 1970s and early 1980s was a no-brainer which would have also been a big positive for both HC and Worcester - but apparently Fr. Brooks and others felt that HC did not have the wherewithal to balance high academic standards and high-major athletics. I think he was wrong about that. Additionally, the fact that the positive impact that Big East membership would have had on Worcester never factored into his decision making speaks to Fr. Brook's biggest shortcoming IMO.
Growing up in the area in the 1970s and 80s, I spent many Saturdays in the fall at Fitton Field - and regularly went to hoops games at the Hart Center. The last HC hoops game I went to last season you could almost count the number of attendees. As far as the area sports scene is concerned I think HC now ranks only slightly higher on the interest scale than the other area colleges in the minds of the local sports enthusiasts. I really hope this can work, and being a hockey fan I would certainly attend some Hockey East games at the DCU if things materialize, but I don't think there are legions of others in the area who fall into my demographic. The fact that HC has largely lost the emotional attachment it once had with the community will make it challenging to attract the casual sports fans.
I'm sure Nate Pine and others are doing their homework on this, and perhaps large numbers of traveling fans from schools like BC, BU, and PC are expected. However those schools only averaged home attendance last year of 4965, 4360, and 2980 respectively - and all have won national championships in recent years. Others would have better insights on what type of student support HC can expect, but given the relatively small student body I think that a lot of outside support will be necessary to attract respectable crowds to the DCU. I think a very professional and aggressive marketing campaign will be needed to make this a success.
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Post by timholycross on Sept 19, 2016 12:07:54 GMT -5
Just ask yourself this: If (and yes, it's still a big if) Holy Cross were to be in that league, it would be week in and week out playing elite competition in that sport. When was the last time you could say that about a Holy Cross team? In terms of interest, that has to count for something.
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Post by sarasota on Sept 19, 2016 13:00:51 GMT -5
I think the fact that the spokesmen for the major parties in this are not speaking to the press indicates that serious discussions are taking place.
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Post by JRGNYR on Sept 19, 2016 13:09:14 GMT -5
No knowledge of this but I'll speculate - the new ECHL franchise is putting up a stink and digging in its heels in an effort to strengthen its bargaining power. In the end, they realize that having another tenant in the DCU that can hopefully bring some people into the building will be a good thing. Both sides can work together to mutual benefit - there are plenty of opportunities.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Sept 19, 2016 14:09:11 GMT -5
While he probably would not have advocated this kind of move, Father Brooks would always say that Holy Cross needed to do what was in the best interests of Holy Cross; therefore, that's what I think they should do in this situation. I think an unfortunate reality to Fr. Brooks' legacy is that the HC increasingly became an island unto itself and became quite detached from Worcester and central MA. Whereas generations ago, Holy Cross was an important part of the fabric of the city (among both alums and non-alums), that far less the case today. Big East membership in the late 1970s and early 1980s was a no-brainer which would have also been a big positive for both HC and Worcester - but apparently Fr. Brooks and others felt that HC did not have the wherewithal to balance high academic standards and high-major athletics. I think he was wrong about that. Additionally, the fact that the positive impact that Big East membership would have had on Worcester never factored into his decision making speaks to Fr. Brook's biggest shortcoming IMO.
Growing up in the area in the 1970s and 80s, I spent many Saturdays in the fall at Fitton Field - and regularly went to hoops games at the Hart Center. The last HC hoops game I went to last season you could almost count the number of attendees. As far as the area sports scene is concerned I think HC now ranks only slightly higher on the interest scale than the other area colleges in the minds of the local sports enthusiasts. I really hope this can work, and being a hockey fan I would certainly attend some Hockey East games at the DCU if things materialize, but I don't think there are legions of others in the area who fall into my demographic. The fact that HC has largely lost the emotional attachment it once had with the community will make it challenging to attract the casual sports fans.
I'm sure Nate Pine and others are doing their homework on this, and perhaps large numbers of traveling fans from schools like BC, BU, and PC are expected. However those schools only averaged home attendance last year of 4965, 4360, and 2980 respectively - and all have won national championships in recent years. Others would have better insights on what type of student support HC can expect, but given the relatively small student body I think that a lot of outside support will be necessary to attract respectable crowds to the DCU. I think a very professional and aggressive marketing campaign will be needed to make this a success.
Lot of valid & correct observations in the post wooman. Welcome to the forum.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Sept 19, 2016 14:10:56 GMT -5
I think the fact that the spokesmen for the major parties in this are not speaking to the press indicates that serious discussions are taking place. It always does.
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Post by HC92 on Sept 19, 2016 21:40:11 GMT -5
Just saw that Sacred Heart made a deal to play all of its home games in the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. AHA players and coaches will no doubt miss the Milford Ice Pavilion.
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Post by bfoley82 on Sept 19, 2016 22:11:59 GMT -5
Just saw that Sacred Heart made a deal to play all of its home games in the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. AHA players and coaches will no doubt miss the Milford Ice Pavilion. Holy Cross will have the worst facility in the conference soon with Bentley getting a rink and AIC and Sacred Heart moving to the minor league rinks
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Post by zambonihomie13 on Sept 20, 2016 9:31:23 GMT -5
Cliff Rucker has already invested millions in the Worcester community, why not invest a sum to HC to expand the rink on campus? Of course it's not my money, but that'd be pretty great. He can ensure that HC will not encroach on his downtown market, HC will have a nicer on-campus arena, and the Providence parallel for success would be even more fitting.
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