WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

[davyd83]

Curious where did Borseth go? Thought he was still at UWGB

He went to Michigan then returned to UWGB a few years ago.

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Week 20 predictions: http://blog.wchaplayoffs.com/2016/02...w-predictions/

GFM

[blackswampboy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

This, in turn, is leading to (at least in general) very solid success at the gate for most of the NCHC schools.

Yes, I know, some will point to the recent resurgence in attendance at Tech, BGSU, and Mankato since they’ve become the top teams in the conference and say that, even if Duluth were to switch, as long as Duluth continues to win they’ll continue to draw well. I’m not so sure and here’s why – for Tech and BGSU, it had been so long (decades) since they had been truly relevant on the ice, that it’s only natural that their attendance would spike with the recent level of on ice success, regardless of who they’re playing.

Not exactly.
Miami State's attendance is not up since joining the Nachos--it ain't brag-worthy, despite the success of the nachos and the shiny arena in Oxford.

BGSU's attendance is up some since the team's near-death experience, but it's not that much more than the CCHA bottomfeeder days as you might think. Winning helps, but the big draws are still vs. the old Ohio/Michigan rivals.
So no, not really seeing that BGSU's attendance is spiking because of success and regardless of who's playing... Attendance spikes when the old rivals are in the barn.

[jsmithe]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I do know there are schools that rely on businesses and donors to purchase tickets so they can use those numbers towards attendance. They struggle giving those tickets away.

Eastern is certainly one of those schools. When my sister was attending CMU, she brought that up that oftentimes they invited high school students to the games for free to boost their attendance numbers. I believe at some point (4-5 years ago) they got in trouble with the NCAA for doing that, particularly because of the minimum average attendance for D1 football.

Speaking of nothing above, this was on the USCHO home page earlier, in case you needed a laugh for today: http://www.uscho.com/2016/02/10/big-...-future-plans/

[Jimjamesak]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Until the recent budget crisis in the state, I always thought UAA could move to D-I. Their problem is finding a conference.

[Squarebanks]

Until the recent budget crisis in the state, I always thought UAA could move to D-I. Their problem is finding a conference.

UAA spends more money on athletics than any other WCHA school sans BGSU, and BGSU is an outlier because they are D1 across the board. I bring this up because I don't think UAA will get through this budget crisis without taking a haircut on athletics.

I don't think it's any secret UAA fancies itself as D1, but making that leap would likely doom you to mediocrity, a la Hawaii, more than anything else. There's just not enough D1 talent in this state to support a full time D1 program and I think recruiting that level of athlete consistently from the lower 48 would be a hard bargain. There's not even enough D1/WHL hockey talent to fully support one D1 hockey program with in-state players, let alone two programs, and we like to brag about being a hockey state.

Anyway, that's not a rivalry talking...just the way I see it.

[blackswampboy]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I don't think it's any secret UAA fancies itself as D1, but making that leap would likely doom you to mediocrity, a la Hawaii, more than anything else.

Mid-major D1 is not for the faint of heart. Tough enough to run just your standard mediocre D1 football and hoops programs--throw in hockey and you're at a whole new level of challenge.

[manurespreader]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I think overall WCHA attendance is pretty good, but it could be better in places. NMU is only full when Tech is in town, Huntsville is a work in progress and I think it can be pretty good once they get a bit more competitive, UAA needs some more wins. However Mankato is quite good, Bemidji, Tech, Ferris... all very good. I think we can and should all work together to find ways of boosting those teams in need of help.

[davyd83]

I think overall WCHA attendance is pretty good, but it could be better in places. NMU is only full when Tech is in town, Huntsville is a work in progress and I think it can be pretty good once they get a bit more competitive, UAA needs some more wins. However Mankato is quite good, Bemidji, Tech, Ferris... all very good. I think we can and should all work together to find ways of boosting those teams in need of help.

NMU averages 2,000, Ferris 1850. And with an enrollment over 14,500, Ferris is the 4th largest school in the WCHA and is over 50% larger than #5 Fairbanks.

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Final thoughts before the weekend: http://blog.wchaplayoffs.com/2016/02...20-here-we-go/

GFM

[gfmorris]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

GFM

[bigblue_dl]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Thanks a bunch BGSU. ****ing losers.

[Jimjamesak]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

GFM

Well that'll make things interesting...

[Freddie]

Thanks a bunch BGSU. ****ing losers.

We deserved that, we sucked.

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

A shocker in Huntsville this weekend as Mankato leaves without a win. Hastings must be fuming.