UAH Hockey 2011-12: Will Someone Break the Conference Logjam? Thanks.

[LtPowers]

Why should I have hope and faith in something that's rarely panned out, especially when UAH was told no before?

I explained why already, but you're more interested in "Woe is me" than in listening, I guess.


Powers &8^]

[davyd83]

The CCHA had UAF over a barrel and made them pay for everyones trips to Alaska. Twenty-five round trip airline tickets. Even to NMU and UNO who joined after UAF was made a member school. UNO got screwed into being in UAF's "travel cluster" when the league became 12 teams.

My understanding for UAA was the WCHA made them do the same for the first decade or so, and then weaned down to just cost assistance (just 10 or 15 airline tickets tops). New conference foes MSU-M, UNO, and BSU had to pay their own way to Anchorage.

As of right now, I would presume there is ZERO travel subsidy for the five new WCHA schools (per the existing membership rules), but that is likely to be one of the topics hammered out this summer by the new member schools.




We'll likely know a lot more after April 29th...

Travel subsidies will continue to both Alaska schools for all WCHA members.

[gfmorris]

I explained why already, but you're more interested in "Woe is me" than in listening, I guess.

I hear you addressing the travel issue, and I agree that they'd do it if they wanted us in the league. That's obvious. What's not obvious is why they'd want to add a long-bus/fly date to replace either UConn or RIT. Are they interested only to fill a hole? I thought that would happen with the CCHA, and look where that got us.

I'm not being "Woe is me". I'm being a realist about the situation. Maybe they're interested and we've been talking behind the scenes; if we are, I'm sure that I'll get a phone call telling me to shut up.

GFM

[davyd83]

I explained why already, but you're more interested in "Woe is me" than in listening, I guess.


Powers &8^]

Geof is right on. Conferences are not lining up to invite Huntsville in. The situation is very precarious. I agree with Geof that UAH's chances of joining the WCHA are 50/50 at best, and that may actually be a very optimistic thought. No one is jumping through hoops to add another long and costly trip. No one in the CCHA shed a tear when Nebraska-Omaha took their program to the more geographically friendly WCHA. There is such thing as being a realist.

[davyd83]

1) is fixed by actually joining the conference; 2) is fixed by virtue of the addition moving the league to an even number of teams rather than odd. I realize you're pessimistic after prior disappointments, but I don't think it's warranted here.


Powers &8^]

The pessimism is definitely warranted. There are a number of WCHA schools with objections to the addition of UAH. And unless those objections can be rectified, the chances are slim.

[fangers]

You think AHA teams would fly out to Air Force on a regular basis if they weren't in the conference? Of course not. Yet there they are, in the conference. I don't see any reason UAH would be any different.


Powers &8^]

I'll explain it once again, real slow this time, maybe you'll see the flaw in your logic. You're assuming they are already in the conference and teams would fly because it's conference play. What I am saying is (and I think GFM too for the most part) - it will never to get to that point. The member schools, for the most part, have not stepped up come to UAH over all these years. Therefore it makes no sense to think they would now vote to allow UAH into the conference, reversing an obvious trend of not wanting to spend the money.

And oh yeah, AH already told them not interested when the CHA disbanded. Once again, why would they now be interested?

[RIT Winters]

I'll explain it once again, real slow this time, maybe you'll see the flaw in your logic. You're assuming they are already in the conference and teams would fly because it's conference play. What I am saying is (and I think GFM too for the most part) - it will never to get to that point. The member schools, for the most part, have not stepped up come to UAH over all these years. Therefore it makes no sense to think they would now vote to allow UAH into the conference, reversing an obvious trend of not wanting to spend the money.

And oh yeah, AH already told them not interested when the CHA disbanded. Once again, why would they now be interested?

Because we're going to be a team down when UCONN heads to HE.

[fangers]

Because we're going to be a team down when UCONN heads to HE.

Well, sorry, but that and $3.00 will get you coffee in Huntsville.

If the CCHA, a far less cost containment league than AH, didn't accpet UAH when they had an opening - with costs being one of the primary reasons provided - then there is no way I pin any hope of AH suddenly thinking adding UAh as a good idea.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it if nWCHA says no, but being realistic I don't see it. Ever.

[UAHStatman]

Seeing the UAH Chargers logo on the ice and boards at the Frozen Four. Surreal.

[RIT Winters]

Well, sorry, but that and $3.00 will get you coffee in Huntsville.

If the CCHA, a far less cost containment league than AH, didn't accpet UAH when they had an opening - with costs being one of the primary reasons provided - then there is no way I pin any hope of AH suddenly thinking adding UAh as a good idea.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it if nWCHA says no, but being realistic I don't see it. Ever.

You guys are really down on yourselves. It's one part frustrating and one part sad.

I have no connections within AHA and I don't know if they would agree with me at all. However, we're about to be down a team in the conference and I'm sure they don't want an odd-team league for any period of time. The only other option out there is Navy..

[LtPowers]

And oh yeah, AH already told them not interested when the CHA disbanded. Once again, why would they now be interested?

Because no one wants to be in a 13-team conference. How many times do I have to repeat myself?


Powers &8^]

[fangers]

Because no one wants to be in a 13-team conference. How many times do I have to repeat myself?


Powers &8^]

And I'm telling you that will not be a factor in any decision. You as a fan might not like an odd number of teams, nor may the schedule makers, but the bottom line that is important to the real decision makers - the school presidents - will be the costs. How many times do I have to repeat myself?

[fangers]

You guys are really down on yourselves. It's one part frustrating and one part sad.

I have no connections within AHA and I don't know if they would agree with me at all. However, we're about to be down a team in the conference and I'm sure they don't want an odd-team league for any period of time. The only other option out there is Navy..

I appreaciate that you would like to think that AH would accomondate UAH if it ever got to that point.


But stop insulting us, as you haven't the first clue about the frustration and sadness of this whole situation. Some of us simply don't have the luxury of buying into all the hype. Reality is that there are young men's hockey futures on the line here and decisions to be made, and speculation that is in direct contrast with previous history serves no purpose.

[UAHStatman]

You guys are really down on yourselves. It's one part frustrating and one part sad.

I have no connections within AHA and I don't know if they would agree with me at all. However, we're about to be down a team in the conference and I'm sure they don't want an odd-team league for any period of time. The only other option out there is Navy..

Because no one wants to be in a 13-team conference. How many times do I have to repeat myself?


Powers &8^]

We understand that neither the WCHA or Atlantic wants an odd number of teams. But the CCHA, which decided to play with 11 for two seasons, has proved that leagues aren't going to bring in a team just to get to have an even number. The WCHA has also said that while getting to 10 is preferrable, they'll only accept UAH (or anyone else) under the right circumstances. We simply can't assume that Atlantic Hockey will be any different.

We can talk about leagues needing to have an even number of teams until we're blue in the face, but in those meetings between UAH and league officials, it's not going to matter. UAH has to do more than show it can take up a space to make it worth their while.

I'm sorry if this sounds frustrated and sad, but it's the reality. It's been frustrating and sad for UAH supporters for three years now.

We do have hope thanks Nathan Bowen and his team, and the support of our new president, Dr. Altenkirch. I think UAH is showing a commitment to the program. So I'm very cautiously optimistic the WCHA will let us in, but there's still work to do, and minds to sway. Hopefully Dr. Altenkirch, Dr. Brophy and Coach Luongo are swaying some minds in Tampa right now.

Thanks for trying to be encouraging. I, for one, will at least try to sound positive, even if we're all gonna die and stuff.

[moose97]

It should also be noted that while round numbers are nice, one of the nWCHA and AHA will have an odd number unless someone magically starts a team in the next year and a half.

[giwan]

It should also be noted that while round numbers are nice, one of the nWCHA and AHA will have an odd number unless someone magically starts a team in the next year and a half.

Or if a team folds

[gfmorris]

In less-contentious news, we have a 30-game schedule for 12-13, which is more than I'd figured or really hoped for: http://www.buzzfeed.com/noahdavis/on...-alabama-hocke

GFM

[boblav1]

In less-contentious news, we have a 30-game schedule for 12-13, which is more than I'd figured or really hoped for: http://www.buzzfeed.com/noahdavis/on...-alabama-hocke

GFM

Any word on who's on the schedule?

[LSSULaker889294]

Any word on who's on the schedule?

I know that UAH will travel to LSSU. Not sure when though.

[UAHStatman]

Any word on who's on the schedule?

Visiting Duluth again.
http://rinkandrun.areavoices.com/201...-13-sechedule/

I wonder if we have Penn State...