Quote Originally Posted by Facts View Post
Disclaimer: I love hockey and always will... I think it's one of the best sports in the world, and I truly enjoyed playing, coaching, reffing, ect.

The problem with hockey is it's a niche sport, and while it's niche is near ND (and you can very easily argue that ND is not a hockey state despite UND and it's bandwagon following) it doesn't mean hockey is a strategically correct move for NDSU. Arguments can also be made that while hockey is the golden calf at UND, it's also part of the millstone (*nickname*) around the mainstream sports' neck.

The NCAA is high on MBB and NDSU has decided to hitch it's pony to that ride, and rightly so. Title IX, eggs in the mainstream sports basket, and common sense have dictated NDSU move to not add hockey, and those will continue to weigh heavily on that decision in the future. The bottom line is, while any Hockey program in this area could be successful in a short time (location, location, location) what would NDSU really gain from that success? Nobody outside of hockey fans in hockey regions follow hockey, so adding the sport does nothing for NDSU in a long term scheme.

My 2 cents...
Great post! Agree completely including the part about myself enjoying hockey. However all it will do is be a major drag on the other sports right now. The requirement of adding womens hockey is the deal breaker period! Those small Minnesota schools make it work because hockey IS THE ONLY BIG SHOW in town. Its the only sport they get to compete against the Gophers on a regular basis if at all so it becomes a big deal. For us it is not as big a deal anymore after beating them in I think every sport but mens basketball and volleyball. They dont get that opportunity so they throw all their chips in the emotional basket when it comes to hockey.