Fast forward six months to the results of this study... What the study will find is that there is an equal chance of their being a new college hockey team in Oakland, CA as there is at Oakland Univ in MI. Hard to believe it takes an NHL paid study to ask this one simple question which pretty much determines the fate of all new D-I hockey programs:
Q: - Does your school have, or can it get in the next 2-3 years, $75M - $100M to start men's hockey and an additional women's sport T.B.D.?
A1 - Yes, then go ahead, build a rink and start a men's hockey program.
A2 - No, then you won't have men's hockey any time soon.
Ryan
Don't forget to send your bill to the NHL.
In all seriousness, I'm seeing a lot of skepticism over this. Very valid for sure. But, let's keep in mind Oakland would not have asked for these funds (and I would assume have been granted the money) to run a study if they didn't at least have some notion that it could be doable.
Russell Jaslow
[Former] SUNYAC Correspondent
U.S. College Hockey Online
How much of that is offset by the fact that a higher percentage of kids today attend college, the highest percentage ever, and that keeps going up?
Granted, a higher percentage of a smaller group could still mean less actual people, but you know what I'm getting at.
I think you're going to see it start going the other way. College doesn't make sense for a lot of kids and I think people are going to start to wise up to it. If your parents can comfortably afford it or you get in to say a top 50 school you should absolutely do it. For everyone else though I think its smart to weigh the cost and benefits. I know it entails more than just preparing one for a job/career, but I just don't think the return is there like it used to be. Look how many college grads work at Starbucks or as a waiter/waitress or whatever. Technology is changing things a lot too.
EDIT: I wanted to clarify that this wasn't intended to be anti-education. I think even college grads should continue to read, take courses, learn new things, etc. I meant that for a lot of kids there might be a better way than going to a traditional four year school right out of high school.
In all seriousness, I'm seeing a lot of skepticism over this. Very valid for sure. But, let's keep in mind Oakland would not have asked for these funds (and I would assume have been granted the money) to run a study if they didn't at least have some notion that it could be doable.
No they would do it as a way to grasp for things. They need to find ways to bring more students in.
Re: Oakland U Exploring Addition of Men's and Women's Hockey
All due respect to the school but I just don't see how Oakland's possibly upgrading from club to varsity (assuming it can overcome the $$$ and Title IX barriers) is going to move the needle in terms of broadening interest in college hockey. If we were talking about Illinois, Indiana, Syracuse, or other schools with built-in fan bases, then maybe the needle ticks up a bit. Even within the State of Michigan, which (IIRC) already has five varsity programs, I can't see how adding Oakland makes much of an impact.
And if you listened to the press conference, Washtenaw County is not part of Metro Detroit, since OU's game would be the only option in the tri-county area. Not sure which 3 counties they are talking about, as it's typically listed as Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw as the main 3. Interesting to note about this claim- OU is 30 miles from the Pizzarena, UM is 42. 10 mile difference from downtown Detroit is hardly a claim to be the only college team in Metro Detroit.
Anyway, I do wish them luck, and that they can find something.
25 vs 37 really, still only 12 miles delta. The main difference is one is considered metro Detroit, and the other is it's own whore-island that likes butt-stuff.
Also, this is just a feasibility study paid for by somebody else. Any school in any region that enjoys hockey would be foolish to pass up on it. It doesn't mean much of anything, other than saving any participating university a couple hundred grand in preparing the study themselves.
Even within the State of Michigan, which (IIRC) already has five varsity programs, I can't see how adding Oakland makes much of an impact.
Actually the state of Michigan currently has 6 men's D-I programs (MTU, NMU, LSSU, Ferris, State and Michigan). I realize a lot of folks overlook that last one as they are barely varsity level at this point, but we do still need to count them. There were seven until Wayne State dropped their program in the mid-2000s. I miss the "Fighting W's" (and the entire CHA for that matter)...
:-)
Ryan
Actually the state of Michigan currently has 6 men's D-I programs (MTU, NMU, LSSU, Ferris, State and Michigan). I realize a lot of folks overlook that last one as they are barely varsity level at this point, but we do still need to count them. There were seven until Wayne State dropped their program in the mid-2000s. I miss the "Fighting W's" (and the entire CHA for that matter)...
:-)
Ryan
Western Michigan does not appreciate you missing them. There are 7 D1 teams in Michigan. (8 for the WSU reference).
I think you're going to see it start going the other way. College doesn't make sense for a lot of kids and I think people are going to start to wise up to it. If your parents can comfortably afford it or you get in to say a top 50 school you should absolutely do it. For everyone else though I think its smart to weigh the cost and benefits. I know it entails more than just preparing one for a job/career, but I just don't think the return is there like it used to be. Look how many college grads work at Starbucks or as a waiter/waitress or whatever. Technology is changing things a lot too.
EDIT: I wanted to clarify that this wasn't intended to be anti-education. I think even college grads should continue to read, take courses, learn new things, etc. I meant that for a lot of kids there might be a better way than going to a traditional four year school right out of high school.
You're not the only one with that sort of sentiment. I've been hearing that a lot from people, including my wife who is an advocate for more emphasis on trade schools.
Of course, picking the "proper" (i.e., marketable) major goes a long way to making a college degree worthwhile. There is a huge shortage in certain fields which demand a four-year degree (my company won't even look at people without a four-year degree for certain jobs no matter how much pertinent experience they have).
Russell Jaslow
[Former] SUNYAC Correspondent
U.S. College Hockey Online
I think they need to convince Eastern Michigan to get a D-1 hockey team, mainly because I'd love to see the fighting Emu on a sweater.
But the team is the Eagles.
"The use of common sense and logic will not be tolerated and may result in fine and/or suspension."- Western Professional Hockey League By-laws. 1999-2000.
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