So it looks like the NHL is going to announce tonight the financing of a study targeted at adding D1 hockey at U of Illinois. I wasn't aware of it, but they already have a (admittedly old and only 2000 seat) rink on campus and their ACHA men's club team regularly sells out games. AD is on record as saying that it would take something similar to the $100M Pegula gift at Penn State to get hockey started at UI because they would need a new and better rink. So admittedly a real long shot (NHL is going to sponsor studies at 4 other TBD schools as well).
All that being said, let's assume somehow it happens (they use the existing rink to start, NHL ponies up some money, donor comes forward, etc.). Presumably this throws Title IX at UI out of whack and they may have to add a women's sport. Would it be women's ice hockey or, after the UND experience, something else? If they added WIH, does the Big Ten conference then form (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Illinois) without an autobid?
Summer is here - discuss.....
All that being said, let's assume somehow it happens (they use the existing rink to start, NHL ponies up some money, donor comes forward, etc.). Presumably this throws Title IX at UI out of whack and they may have to add a women's sport. Would it be women's ice hockey or, after the UND experience, something else? If they added WIH, does the Big Ten conference then form (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Illinois) without an autobid?
Summer is here - discuss.....
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