Re: New WCHA is dead
Today has been an interesting day. The Governor announced $130m cut to the UA system (through a veto of the legislature’s operating budget), and both Alaska schools (along with UAH) have been kicked off the WCHA island.
Even if the legislature overrides the Gov vetos (which I think they will for many reasons), and the breakup of the WCHA is put on hold, we are toast. It’s been tough enough the last few years to recruit. Announcements to move back on campus into very poor facilities with promised plans to upgrade in the near future does not help. What self-respecting recruit would come north now?
I would kill the program Monday and give coaches and kids their walking papers. I’d tell the WCHA to pound sand if they came looking for penalties.
That means the end of hockey at both schools, but the end of all sports for UAF. UAA has enough sports to still meet NCAA minimum requirements, but maybe not the budget. But it would be hard to leave one of the nicest DII sports arenas in the country sit idle. This development also fits into the plan to streamline and consolidate the three campuses into one accredited UA system.
Today has been an interesting day. The Governor announced $130m cut to the UA system (through a veto of the legislature’s operating budget), and both Alaska schools (along with UAH) have been kicked off the WCHA island.
Even if the legislature overrides the Gov vetos (which I think they will for many reasons), and the breakup of the WCHA is put on hold, we are toast. It’s been tough enough the last few years to recruit. Announcements to move back on campus into very poor facilities with promised plans to upgrade in the near future does not help. What self-respecting recruit would come north now?
I would kill the program Monday and give coaches and kids their walking papers. I’d tell the WCHA to pound sand if they came looking for penalties.
That means the end of hockey at both schools, but the end of all sports for UAF. UAA has enough sports to still meet NCAA minimum requirements, but maybe not the budget. But it would be hard to leave one of the nicest DII sports arenas in the country sit idle. This development also fits into the plan to streamline and consolidate the three campuses into one accredited UA system.
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