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College sports: Big Ten hockey conference?

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gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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Sep 13, 2010 5:38 PM
http://www.uscho.com/news/id,18726/PennStateSettoFieldVarsityProgramSourcesSay.html

Penn State is set to move to division 1, and they would be the sixth Big Ten team with a D-I hockey program. Six teams means the Big Ten can field a conference in the sport. The only problem will be when the SEC gets a conference. They'll be much faster skaters :)
Sep 13, 2010 5:38pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

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Sep 13, 2010 5:49 PM
wow, I wonder where miami will go once the big ten forms a conference.
Sep 13, 2010 5:49pm
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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Sep 13, 2010 5:51 PM
like_that;482628 wrote:wow, I wonder where miami will go once the big ten forms a conference.

They'll probably stay in the remnants of the CCHA (which, without OSU, MSU and UM won't be quite the same, but will still have some quality programs).

If when the Big Ten forms a hockey conference, it'll be because of the Big Ten Network. They'd love to get games on their lineup, and I'm sure the hockey programs wouldn't mind the expanded coverage.
Sep 13, 2010 5:51pm
ptown_trojans_1's avatar

ptown_trojans_1

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Sep 13, 2010 6:15 PM
Not fan unless Miami somehow joins.
I love the Miami/ OSU, Miami/ Michigan games.

Still, very interesting.
Sep 13, 2010 6:15pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

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Sep 13, 2010 6:25 PM
gorocks99;482632 wrote:They'll probably stay in the remnants of the CCHA (which, without OSU, MSU and UM won't be quite the same, but will still have some quality programs).

If when the Big Ten forms a hockey conference, it'll be because of the Big Ten Network. They'd love to get games on their lineup, and I'm sure the hockey programs wouldn't mind the expanded coverage.

It won't even be close to being the same. The CCHA better find some teams to make their conference just as strong as it was. Losing Michigan, and Mich State is especially going to hurt.
Sep 13, 2010 6:25pm
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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Sep 13, 2010 6:28 PM
Yeah, they'll lose big name credibility among fringe fans and definitely lose some $$ but Miami and ND have both been really good as of late. Heck, even Ferris State pops up with a pretty good year every once in a while.
Sep 13, 2010 6:28pm
wildcats20's avatar

wildcats20

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Sep 13, 2010 6:33 PM
Is it likely a go??

Never really watched college hockey, mainly because it's never on TV, but if this happens and the BTN gets games; I would for sure watch them.
Sep 13, 2010 6:33pm
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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Sep 13, 2010 6:34 PM
wildcats20;482656 wrote:Is it likely a go??

Never really watched college hockey, mainly because it's never on TV, but if this happens and the BTN gets games; I would for sure watch them.

USCHO and INCH are both reporting that PSU will get a program: http://insidecollegehockey.com/inch/2010/09/12/psu_hockey/ http://www.uscho.com/news/college-hockey/id,18726/PennStateSettoFieldVarsityProgramSourcesSay.html

As far as a Big Ten conference is concerned, that probably won't start until the 2014-15 season. But you can bet the Big Ten would love to get the ratings onto their network.
Sep 13, 2010 6:34pm
Sykotyk's avatar

Sykotyk

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Sep 13, 2010 7:05 PM
The biggest 'hit' is that the Big Ten doesn't have affiliate members for lesser sports. But, as stated, the BTN would love to have another major sport to showcase. In fact, I think the BTN could really 'elevate' college hockey in the region as this would be "Big Ten Hockey", rather than CCHA hockey (despite there really being no difference in quality, just brand recognition.

Sykotyk
Sep 13, 2010 7:05pm
S

Sonofanump

Sep 13, 2010 8:30 PM
OK. Why does the Big ten network just pay for the CCHA rights and pay BG, Miami, Ferris, ND, etc…
It could also broadcast Minn & Wisc games. Not like they are up against a lot of competion for the broadcast rights.
Win Win for all involved.
Sep 13, 2010 8:30pm
ptown_trojans_1's avatar

ptown_trojans_1

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Sep 13, 2010 8:39 PM
Yeah, the BTN already shows current Big Ten teams in hockey.
http://www.bigtennetwork.com/subindex/sports/hockey

Could Penn St. join the CCHA? Is that an option? That would give them 13 teams, which is odd.
The article says the WHCA with Minn and Wisconsin.

I understand the Big Ten would try and get a hockey league, but the CCHA to me is great. Miami is a great rival to OSU, ND Is pretty good and there are a ton of great traditions of the little schools.

The thing is, all of the CCHA is in Big Ten country, save Alaska. Why not work with the CCHA to show games and maintain the league?
Sep 13, 2010 8:39pm
redfalcon's avatar

redfalcon

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Sep 13, 2010 9:04 PM
How about a Hockey only deal, similar to what the Big East does with Basketball.

Combined CCHA/Big Ten Hockey Conference

Michigan Division
Michigan State
Ferris State
Northern Michigan
Michigan
Lake Superior
Western Michigan
Michigan Tech

Everywhere Else
Notre Dame
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Penn State
Ohio State
Miami
Bowling Green

This is probably the worst possible breakdown, but you get the idea. Also, because I can, I dropped Alaska-Fairbanks for Michigan Tech. Why the hell not.
Sep 13, 2010 9:04pm
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darbypitcher22

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Sep 13, 2010 9:28 PM
I think a Big Ten Hockey Conference would be pretty sweet. OSU would pretty much get owned year in and year out the way things are now, but the new coach could build them up and suprise some people
Sep 13, 2010 9:28pm
ptown_trojans_1's avatar

ptown_trojans_1

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Sep 13, 2010 9:48 PM
redfalcon;482929 wrote:How about a Hockey only deal, similar to what the Big East does with Basketball.

Combined CCHA/Big Ten Hockey Conference

Michigan Division
Michigan State
Ferris State
Northern Michigan
Michigan
Lake Superior
Western Michigan
Michigan Tech

Everywhere Else
Notre Dame
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Penn State
Ohio State
Miami
Bowling Green

This is probably the worst possible breakdown, but you get the idea. Also, because I can, I dropped Alaska-Fairbanks for Michigan Tech. Why the hell not.

Ehh, that could happen. Michigan St and Michigan would balance Miami, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Trading Michigan Tech of the WCHA for Alaska Fairbanks in the CCHA makes sense both geographically and rivalry wise, as it brings in another Michigan team and Alaska Fairbanks can play regularly Alaska Anchorage of the WCHA,

That said, if the Big Ten did happen, that would also leave the WCHA, which is a pretty good conference with Denver and North Dakota, weaker.

Note, I loved college hockey while at OSU. I went to a ton of games, including games at Michigan, Michigan St, BG, and of course Miami over the years at OSU.
My g/f went to Miami, so we also went to each others games as OSU and Miami would play each other twice a year. I remember at the old Goggin ice arena (my favorite hockey areana btw) I was wearing my OSU stuff and my g/f was on the complete other side of the rink. I had to go past the Miami student section and got so much shit as I passed by. Great rivalry and the teams hate each other. I wouldn't want to lose that.
Sep 13, 2010 9:48pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

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Sep 13, 2010 10:10 PM
If the Big Ten forms its own conference, maybe the CCHA can steal Denver and North Dakota away from the WCHA.
Sep 13, 2010 10:10pm
redfalcon's avatar

redfalcon

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Sep 13, 2010 10:36 PM
Seeing how the WCHA just stole Nebraska Omaha from the CCHA, I don't think that will fly.
Sep 13, 2010 10:36pm
ptown_trojans_1's avatar

ptown_trojans_1

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Sep 13, 2010 10:38 PM
redfalcon;483235 wrote:Seeing how the WCHA just stole Nebraska Omaha from the CCHA, I don't think that will fly.
Whoa, didn't know that.
Well, adding Penn St, makes 12 teams then for the CCHA....
Sep 13, 2010 10:38pm
fiction's avatar

fiction

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Sep 14, 2010 12:04 AM
ptown_trojans_1;483239 wrote:Whoa, didn't know that.
Well, adding Penn St, makes 12 teams then for the CCHA....

yep. and the CCHA just turned down alabama-huntsville's application. the spot is psu's if they want it.
Sep 14, 2010 12:04am
redfalcon's avatar

redfalcon

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Sep 14, 2010 1:11 AM
Damn, I would think someone would take Alabama-Huntsville. They are the only independent, they are actually fairly competitive, and they are hosting the tourney in 2012 (albeit it will be held in Tampa because of capacity issues).
Sep 14, 2010 1:11am
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

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Sep 14, 2010 1:33 AM
As nice as it would be for the CCHA and the Big Ten to work together, the Big Ten will probably go ahead with their conferences for revenue purposes and then everyone else will be on the outside looking in due to the AAU bullshit.
Sep 14, 2010 1:33am
redfalcon's avatar

redfalcon

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Sep 14, 2010 1:42 AM
So after looking into this a bit, I have reached some conlusions should the Big Ten actually form a hockey conference:

1) Both the CCHA and the WCHA will be fine. Yes, it will be a bit of a hit, especially for the CCHA who will stand to lose four of the 12 teams (I am assuming that Penn State will go into the CCHA), but they will survive.

2) A Big Ten Hockey Conference could actually be very benificial to the schools and the sport, as well as other schools within the area (CCHA, mainly). This could increase viewership since the games will be on more and since for the first time ever a BCS conference will be sponsoring Hockey.

3) The CCHA probably should have picked up Alabama-Huntsville. They have a solid program, and should the Big Ten Hockey Conference come to fruition, they will be needing some schools to replace the ones they lose, and UAH is their best first choice, as far as I can see.

4) Someone needs to pick up UAH. A little off the original topic now, but this is a good team and should be added to a conference, and really any one of the five conferences will do. While the CCHA makes the most sense, they have already turned them down, and in terms of geography, its not really going to make sense regardless of which conference they join because they are so far away from everyone else. Alaska is in the Central Conference, Air Force is in Atlantic Hockey Conference, so someone pick them up, because the program needs the stability and they are a good asset.
Sep 14, 2010 1:42am
martyirish's avatar

martyirish

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Sep 14, 2010 1:38 PM
AHH yes HOCKEY
the sport MEN play during Basketball Season
Sep 14, 2010 1:38pm
like_that's avatar

like_that

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Sep 14, 2010 5:12 PM
martyirish;483745 wrote:AHH yes HOCKEY
the sport MEN play during Basketball Season

Wrestling uses the same quote haha.
Sep 14, 2010 5:12pm
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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Sep 14, 2010 6:23 PM
I was reading USCHO today and they speculate that Indiana may go D-I in the next few years as well. That would almost assure that the Big Ten would get a conference.
Sep 14, 2010 6:23pm
gorocks99's avatar

gorocks99

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Sep 17, 2010 12:13 PM
Penn State made it official today, adding varsity men's and women's ice hockey. The teams will start play in 2012/2013:

http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/091710aab.html
Sep 17, 2010 12:13pm