UND Hockey to B10

[mebisonII]

http://www.startribune.com/notre-dame-to-join-big-ten-in-hockey/373137251/

[tjbison]

http://www.startribune.com/notre-dame-to-join-big-ten-in-hockey/373137251/

and Arizona St according to a friend of mine from Phoenix

[mebisonII]

and Arizona St according to a friend of mine from Phoenix

Yeah, I saw that mentioned here, too:

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/big-ten/2016/3/22/11286622/report-notre-dame-to-big-ten-in-2017-2018-hockey

[ByeSonBusiness]

But the NCHC is the pinnacle of what all hockey should be! ;)

There was some bitching and moaning among some ND hockey fans about being in Hockey East. This will let them play fellow big-time schools and not have to go to Massachusetts to do it.

[RedRiver]

But the NCHC is the pinnacle of what all hockey should be! ;)



Sounds like UND fans are the only ones that care about conference hockey tournaments.

"Where the NCHC Frozen Faceoff still struggles is with fan support, though compared to the tournament across the river held by the Big Ten Conference, you would think the NCHC was thriving.

The truth about the NCHC Frozen Faceoff is if not for the North Dakota fans, Target Center would have been as empty as Xcel was this weekend. St. Cloud State and UMD only brought a modest amount of fans, if that. Neither night sold out the 17,500-seat Target Center and attendance was actually down two percent this year compared to last year's tournament which featured Denver, UND, SCSU and Miami (Ohio)."

http://www.inforum.com/sports/3991941-nchc-doing-all-right-things-frozen-faceoff-except-drawing-non-north-dakota-fans

[bisonaudit]

Wow. I'm stunned that Notre Dame would join the BIG in any sport. Lots of historical animosity there.

[ByeSonBusiness]

Wow. I'm stunned that Notre Dame would join the BIG in any sport. Lots of historical animosity there.

I was/am/will continue to be surprised as well. Fielding Yost has a small penis.

[ndsubison1]

Sounds like UND fans are the only ones that care about conference hockey tournaments.

"Where the NCHC Frozen Faceoff still struggles is with fan support, though compared to the tournament across the river held by the Big Ten Conference, you would think the NCHC was thriving.

The truth about the NCHC Frozen Faceoff is if not for the North Dakota fans, Target Center would have been as empty as Xcel was this weekend. St. Cloud State and UMD only brought a modest amount of fans, if that. Neither night sold out the 17,500-seat Target Center and attendance was actually down two percent this year compared to last year's tournament which featured Denver, UND, SCSU and Miami (Ohio)."

http://www.inforum.com/sports/3991941-nchc-doing-all-right-things-frozen-faceoff-except-drawing-non-north-dakota-fans

This is funny. Just proves how pretty much UND and only a few other schools truly care about college hockey. I'd put it behind college baseball and maybe even college lacrosse.

[tjbison]

This is funny. Just proves how pretty much UND and only a few other schools truly care about college hockey. I'd put it behind college baseball and maybe even college lacrosse.

lacrosse is huge out east and in the NE

[Grizzled]

This is funny. Just proves how pretty much UND and only a few other schools truly care about college hockey. I'd put it behind college baseball and maybe even college lacrosse.

Its like the FCS championship game in Frisco if the Bison don't make it or the Summit tournament in Sioux Falls.

[NorthernBison]

Its like the FCS championship game in Frisco if the Bison don't make it or the Summit tournament in Sioux Falls.

True. You're missing the point as it relates to how the El Forko Grande rubes view the game's attraction.

FCS football is JV but hockey is the "highest level". The age old debate.

[onbison09]

But the NCHC is the pinnacle of what all hockey should be! ;)

There was some bitching and moaning among some ND hockey fans about being in Hockey East. This will let them play fellow big-time schools and not have to go to Massachusetts to do it.
Notre Dame is meh for hockey. The NCHC is the pinnacle IMO, but hockey was really hurt by the Big 10

[BisonAccountant44]

Notre Dame is meh for hockey. The NCHC is the pinnacle IMO, but hockey was really hurt by the Big 10
What is the NCHC? No purple

[onbison09]

What is the NCHC? No purple
National College Hockey Conference. UND's conference. Mostly made up of old WCHA schools

[NorthernBison]

Notre Dame is meh for hockey. The NCHC is the pinnacle IMO, but hockey was really hurt by the Big 10

Depends on whether you're talking about hockey or name recognition.

I believe the NCHC is the best hockey conference. It happens to be made up of schools nobody knows.

The B1G isn't great right now but everybody in America recognizes the names of the schools.

[onbison09]

Depends on whether you're talking about hockey or name recognition.

I believe the NCHC is the best hockey conference. It happens to be made up of schools nobody knows.

The B1G isn't great right now but everybody in America recognizes the names of the schools.
Yeah, but look at the interest outside of Penn State. Way down. Forced rivalries don't make for good attendance.

[BisonAccountant44]

National College Hockey Conference. UND's conference. Mostly made up of old WCHA schools
The WCHA is no more? I guess I should put that in the TIL thread.

[MAKBison]

National College Hockey Conference. UND's conference. Mostly made up of old WCHA schools

Whats WCHA?

[NorthernBison]

Yeah, but look at the interest outside of Penn State. Way down. Forced rivalries don't make for good attendance.

Give it time. Things change.

The future relevance of the college game demands contribution from the big name schools.

[Hammersmith]

The WCHA is no more? I guess I should put that in the TIL thread.

It's still around, but now it's made up of the dregs of the old WCHA plus the CCHA leftovers. Pretty much everyone that the B1G and NCHC didn't want.

[NDSU1980]

Women's Collegiate Hockey Association. or something.

Actually it's Western Collegiate Hockey Association, but they probably all play like women. Only a few schools left I think. UN_ thought they would be smart and move the bigger names to NCHCl

[onbison09]

Actually it's Western Collegiate Hockey Association, but they probably all play like women. Only a few schools left I think. UN_ thought they would be smart and move the bigger names to NCHCl
Actually, there is still the WCHA for women. Gophers just won the national title with WCHA patches on their sweaters

[bisonaudit]

Actually, there is still the WCHA for women. Gophers just won the national title with WCHA patches on their sweaters

As soon as a couple more BIG schools add women's teams that arrangement will end. Right now there are only 4.

[ByeSonBusiness]

Notre Dame is meh for hockey. The NCHC is the pinnacle IMO, but hockey was really hurt by the Big 10

Top 15 in attendance. Average 98% capacity. Not some super elite team but they are one of THE names in collegiate sports. Big 10 will end up being the best conference within 5-10 years if they want to be.

[bisonmike2]

Average attendance will be increased by dozens of people.

[runtheoption]

Top 15 in attendance. Average 98% capacity.4900/night. Word.

[ByeSonBusiness]

4900/night. Word.

Not bad considering they have a pretty good basketball team as well.

Perhaps hockey is from the Notre Dame hipster crowd. I think they have a top notch fencing team as well that I could see the weirdos going to watch.

[onbison09]

Top 15 in attendance. Average 98% capacity. Not some super elite team but they are one of THE names in collegiate sports. Big 10 will end up being the best conference within 5-10 years if they want to be.
Michigan State is ass, Ohio State is ass, Wisconsin will probably rebound, but they're been ass. 2 out of the 6 teams are ass. And the "good" teams are meh.

[NorthernBison]

Michigan State is ass, Ohio State is ass, Wisconsin will probably rebound, but they're been ass. 2 out of the 6 teams are ass. And the "good" teams are meh.

Western Michigan and Colorado College are ass. Miami and Omaha weren't much to brag about either. Every conference has dogs.

[onbison09]

Western Michigan and Colorado College are ass. Miami and Omaha weren't much to brag about either. Every conference has dogs.
Fair enough. Top 4 are pretty good though.

[NorthernBison]

Fair enough. Top 4 are pretty good though.

Can't argue with that.

[Christopher Moen]

True. You're missing the point as it relates to how the El Forko Grande rubes view the game's attraction.

FCS football is JV but hockey is the "highest level". The age old debate.

"Highest Level" isn't debatable in my opinion. NCAA DI Hockey has about 60 teams, which are mainly DII and DIII schools. College hockey also has a low correlation of athletes going straight from college to the NHL compared to college football and the NFL. Lastly, it's the fourth ranked developmental league for the NHL (AHL is #1).

To me, bragging about being the best in college hockey while calling FCS "JV" is about as stupid as thumping one's chest for being the "brainiac" in a village of idiots.

[56BISON73]

"Highest Level" isn't debatable in my opinion. NCAA DI Hockey has about 60 teams, which are mainly DII and DIII schools. College hockey also has a low correlation of athletes going straight from college to the NHL compared to college football and the NFL. Lastly, it's the fourth ranked developmental league for the NHL (AHL is #1).

To me, bragging about being the best in college hockey while calling FCS "JV" is about as stupid as thumping one's chest for being the "brainiac" in a village of idiots.


Thats a good bingo! We have a winner!!!!

[NorthernBison]

"Highest Level" isn't debatable in my opinion. NCAA DI Hockey has about 60 teams, which are mainly DII and DIII schools. College hockey also has a low correlation of athletes going straight from college to the NHL compared to college football and the NFL. Lastly, it's the fourth ranked developmental league for the NHL (AHL is #1).

To me, bragging about being the best in college hockey while calling FCS "JV" is about as stupid as thumping one's chest for being the "brainiac" in a village of idiots.

I hope you realize I was pointing out their way of thinking and that I don't share that opinion.

One look at the teams in the college hockey brackets is all you need to know about how much of a niche sport it is.

[Christopher Moen]

I hope you realize I was pointing out their way of thinking and that I don't share that opinion.

One look at the teams in the college hockey brackets is all you need to know about how much of a niche sport it is.

Nope, I was agreeing with you. I was just adding my opinion to the "debate" that really shouldn't be debated.

In regards to niche sports, outside of football and men's basketball, all collegiate sports are, including my sport of wrestling.

[unbison]

Nope, I was agreeing with you. I was just adding my opinion to the "debate" that really shouldn't be debated.

In regards to niche sports, outside of football and men's basketball, all collegiate sports are, including my sport of wrestling.
I'm not sure you can classify baseball a niche sport or soccer for that matter soccer maybe a niche sport here in North Dakota and that's about it

[Christopher Moen]

I'm not sure you can classify baseball a niche sport or soccer for that matter soccer maybe a niche sport here in North Dakota and that's about it

At the NCAA level, yes they are. Only two sports make money and that's why they are consider major programs and covered ad nauseam by every major network.

[unbison]

Umm yeah ok
If making money is your decision maker men's hockey would not be a niche sport

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[Christopher Moen]

Umm yeah ok
If making money is your decision maker men's hockey would not be a niche sport

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If hockey was a money maker, then every major school would field a team. However, it doesn't and why so few major schools care to bother unless some rich booster gives them an incentive to do so.

[DIBISON]

If hockey was a money maker, then every major school would field a team. However, it doesn't and why so few major schools care to bother unless some rich booster gives them an incentive to do so.

Yes, F'n hawks and others play at the highest level of college hockey but that doesn't mean it is the highest level of DI athletics. As you state it always doen't mean that there is fan support or interest in the highest level of a DI sport.

How may states would have college hockey as their #1 sport? Maybe Vermont? It sure wouldn't be ND with Bison football or Minnesota with Gophers football or basketball even though they are terrible. What about attendance, give credit to the F'n hawks leading the nation at 11,000+ a game but that pales in comparison even to FCS football. College hockey regional championships average anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000+. The Frozen Four TV ratings are terrible, heck the Bison FCS football 2014 quarterfinal game outdrew all 3 Frozen Four games. Don't forget that there are over 350 DI athletic programs and less than 10% of those programs have college hockey.

The more the facts are considered, yes UND is at the highest level of college hockey, but nationally nobody cares about college hockey as it is a regional college sport.

Bottom line, very few care or follow.

[NorthernBison]

Umm yeah ok
If making money is your decision maker men's hockey would not be a niche sport

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I agree with that.

I think niche sports are better defined by how many schools participate, how they are spread out, and where they tend to fit into the rest of NCAA athletics.

Hockey has 60 programs that are fairly spread out but many of them are DII and even DIII schools in other sports. At best, it meets one of my tests. And that is arguable.

I didn't take time to look it up but crew is probably a niche.

Maybe Lacrosse although it has possibly grown lately.

[El_Chapo]

It's niche... Maybe 1% crew in the USA. That's niche. Period.

To make final four of 59teams = meh when they are ferris st quinniac RIT...and other d3 schools

[westnodak93bison]

I hope you realize I was pointing out their way of thinking and that I don't share that opinion.

One look at the teams in the college hockey brackets is all you need to know about how much of a niche sport it is.
What is Quinnipiac? Is it a federal prison in Quebec?

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[ByeSonBusiness]

Yes, F'n hawks and others play at the highest level of college hockey but that doesn't mean it is the highest level of DI athletics. As you state it always doen't mean that there is fan support or interest in the highest level of a DI sport.

How may states would have college hockey as their #1 sport? Maybe Vermont? It sure wouldn't be ND with Bison football or Minnesota with Gophers football or basketball even though they are terrible. What about attendance, give credit to the F'n hawks leading the nation at 11,000+ a game but that pales in comparison even to FCS football. College hockey regional championships average anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000+. The Frozen Four TV ratings are terrible, heck the Bison FCS football 2014 quarterfinal game outdrew all 3 Frozen Four games. Don't forget that there are over 350 DI athletic programs and less than 10% of those programs have college hockey.

The more the facts are considered, yes UND is at the highest level of college hockey, but nationally nobody cares about college hockey as it is a regional college sport.

Bottom line, very few care or follow.

To be fair, can't rip on UND for attendance and say it doesn't compare to FCS football... Quite frankly, football stadiums are bigger than hockey ones. Even NHL/NBA arenas are what, 20k at most?

[Bisonguy]

I agree with that.

I think niche sports are better defined by how many schools participate, how they are spread out, and where they tend to fit into the rest of NCAA athletics.

Hockey has 60 programs that are fairly spread out but many of them are DII and even DIII schools in other sports. At best, it meets one of my tests. And that is arguable.

I didn't take time to look it up but crew is probably a niche.

Maybe Lacrosse although it has possibly grown lately.

There are more DI women's rowing teams (88) than men's hockey teams (60). There are also more men's lacrosse teams (68) and women's field hockey 79. I would consider them all niche sports.

[ByeSonBusiness]

There are more DI women's rowing teams (88) than men's hockey teams (60). There are also more men's lacrosse teams (68) and women's field hockey 79. I would consider them all niche sports.

The Winklevoss twins disagree with your opinion on rowing.

[tony]

April Fool's thread title change.

[roadwarrior]

LOL - I pretty much ignore any thread with "hockey" in the title. Didn't even notice the change.