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Post by Crucis#1 on Nov 29, 2022 23:47:21 GMT -5
Back in the day….about 50 years ago, just before the Hart Rink was built, a number of college hockey rinks in New England, were uncovered outdoor rinks. I am thinking of several trips to see HC play at UConn and MIT to name two, where I froze my extremities. At the time, HC played at the Worcester Arena near Webster Square. One of the interesting features of that rink, was instead of plexiglass above the dashboards, there was chicken wire to prevent the puck from landing in the bleachers.
When the Hart Rink was completed in 1975, it was a nice facility that met the needs of the one program that played at a D3 level. This was true until until the mid 1990’s. HC went into a relative dormancy for 10 years regarding major Capex projects for expansion and refurbishment. HC Hockey Alums as a large group apparently did not press the issue to raise capital funding and support for a new rink when the program was elevated to D1. It is a daunting task at this point without a specific gift targeted to a renovated or new rink. Unfortunately, Coach Riga is now playing at a disadvantage when several New England schools have now built state of the art facilities in the last 10 years.
Hockey Alums, in both programs should form an affinity group similar to 90 Wide to ensure additional funding and the future success and growth of the teams.
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aaa8316
Crusader Century Club
Posts: 114
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Post by aaa8316 on Nov 30, 2022 0:23:21 GMT -5
The alums, most notably on the men's side, are frankly sick and tired of the continued asks for support.
The school has clearly showed its cards, endless times, when it comes to backing these Hockey programs with everything they need to truly compete for championships.
As has been stated numerous times here, and officially with HC Admin, the hour glass named "Patience" is running very thin -- regardless of who sits in the Head Coaches' chair at this point.
Results. Period.
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Post by longsuffering on Nov 30, 2022 12:36:27 GMT -5
The HC administration gave the hockey arena the same new coat of paint it gave the basketball arena when the $90 million Luth Center was built although BB got a practice gym.
HC's big carrot is the scholarship to an expensive selective private college that is valued more highly by some prospects and their families than others. HC coaches have to master selling the assets they have to the right audience.
One out of four HC BB and hockey coaches is winning with the current facilities and league. How is she doing it? Would women's hockey be winning in the NEWHA, which is close to the league equivalent of the AHA? If HC could know for certain they could win in that league and not win in women's hockey east would they switch leagues or is the prestige of hockey east worth the losing?
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aaa8316
Crusader Century Club
Posts: 114
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Post by aaa8316 on Nov 30, 2022 23:50:18 GMT -5
The HC administration gave the hockey arena the same new coat of paint it gave the basketball arena when the $90 million Luth Center was built although BB got a practice gym. HC's big carrot is the scholarship to an expensive selective private college that is valued more highly by some prospects and their families than others. HC coaches have to master selling the assets they have to the right audience. One out of four HC BB and hockey coaches is winning with the current facilities and league. How is she doing it? Would women's hockey be winning in the NEWHA, which is close to the league equivalent of the AHA? If HC could know for certain they could win in that league and not win in women's hockey east would they switch leagues or is the prestige of hockey east worth the losing? All of the above assumes the major power players at HC (1) want to win, and (2) will do everything in their power to achieve #1. In my 19+ years affiliated with the school, the phrase above couldn't be any more of a pipe dream currently. The Academic : Athletics ratio is so incredibly tilted towards academics that any thought of sustained athletic success across the entire Athletic Dept is laughable. The participation ribbons will continue to pile up for all but a few rare athletic programs once in a while. |
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Post by longsuffering on Dec 1, 2022 0:05:59 GMT -5
The HC administration gave the hockey arena the same new coat of paint it gave the basketball arena when the $90 million Luth Center was built although BB got a practice gym. HC's big carrot is the scholarship to an expensive selective private college that is valued more highly by some prospects and their families than others. HC coaches have to master selling the assets they have to the right audience. One out of four HC BB and hockey coaches is winning with the current facilities and league. How is she doing it? Would women's hockey be winning in the NEWHA, which is close to the league equivalent of the AHA? If HC could know for certain they could win in that league and not win in women's hockey east would they switch leagues or is the prestige of hockey east worth the losing? All of the above assumes the major power players at HC (1) want to win, and (2) will do everything in their power to achieve #1. In my 19+ years affiliated with the school, the phrase above couldn't be any more of a pipe dream currently. The Academic : Athletics ratio is so incredibly tilted towards academics that any thought of sustained athletic success across the entire Athletic Dept is laughable. The participation ribbons will continue to pile up for all but a few rare athletic programs once in a while. Millions are spent but you are right that last few hundred thousand dollars or the equivalent in non-monetary detailed effort doesn't seem to be extended. Getting coaches for all sports that have a career winning record as head coach at whatever college division they coached in would cost that extra few hundred thousand but would draw a red line around Holy Cross as not the place to make your rookie head coach mistakes. |
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