College Hockey Realignment: UConn To Evaluate Men's Ice Hockey Program
by Brian Favat on Dec 22, 2011 4:00 PM EST
in Boston College Hockey
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PrintIn a cryptic release on uconnhuskies.com, UConn Athletics announced on Tuesday that the department had hired Stafford Sports, LLC, a sports consulting firm, to conduct an evaluation of its men's ice hockey program.
"The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the program's current level of support to that of Atlantic Hockey league members and other programs in the region. The assessment will include financial support, staffing, facilities and potential revenue sources."
This announcement could lead to one of several outcomes. UConn could be evaluating whether to start offering scholarships to become more competitive in Atlantic Hockey (the program currently doesn't offer any). It could also be a sign that the school is serious about becoming the 12th member of Hockey East on the men's side (the Huskies' women's team currently competes in Hockey East). Or it could lead to something far more ominous, like UConn dropping a costly varsity sport it remains largely non-competitive in.
UConn has been a Division I program since 1998. The Huskies spent five seasons in the MAAC before joining Atlantic Hockey. The program has finished with a winning record just twice in 12 seasons at the D-I level -- in 1998-99 and 1999-00.
USCHO's calls to UConn have gone unanswered, so your guess is as good as mine as to what comes of this announcement. But this is something to keep an eye on.
If UConn decides to drop D-I hockey, it wouldn't be the first time a similar fate befalls an Atlantic Hockey / MAAC school. Both Iona and Fairfield dropped varsity men's hockey in 2003, which led to the MAAC dropping its affiliation with the conference.
If the Huskies men's program decides to start offering scholarships, this could be a move to become more competitive in Atlantic Hockey. Or it could be the school positioning itself to join Notre Dame as the 11th and 12th men's programs in Hockey East. Other schools rumored to be in the mix as HEA's 12th program include Holy Cross and RPI.
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Watch out BC
We need to be careful. According to one UConn blogger, once they start offering scholarships they will absolutely OWN BC on the ice:
You know what BC is good at? Hockey. You know why? I don’t, but I’m willing to bet it has something to do with the fact that UConn doesn’t allow scholarships for it.
http://www.theuconnblog.com/2011/10/9/2479032/acc-uconn-big-east-boston-college
by will_the_thrill on Dec 22, 2011 4:19 PM EST reply actions
I remember that post
That’s when waterwater got banned from TheUConnBlog. Good times.
2011 National Champs in Men's Basketball
FIRE DeLEONE
Eat a bagel (like a mumu)
18-1
1967: Embrace it
My guess is that UConn may be considering going the “adding schollies” route and not the “dropping the program” route. I’m staunchly against UConn joining the ACC, but having an up-and-coming UConn in Hockey East is just perfect for everyone involved.
I’ve long said that QU is my top choice as Hockey East’s 12th school, however UConn is an even better fit if they show they are able to make the commitment to the program.
That doesn’t just include schollies, they would also need to either put major work into an arena or, who knows, they could play in at the Hartford Civic Center. It would take some kind of signicant scholarship and facilities commitment to make this happen, but… I hope it does.
They DO say in the statement that they will be looking at “facilities,” so that’s good. The biggest sign that this is a potential up move instead of a down move is
The assessment will include financial support, staffing, facilities and potential revenue sources."
Why would they be talking about “potential” revenue sources if they were looking to drop the program?
No, to me, this looks like UConn is taking a look into whether they have the commitment and donors to make a big jump for that program. As much as I hate UConn (I would NEVER advocate BC being in a conference without BU, for example), I hope that’s the case.
Please no to the XL Center. Only clownshoes programs play in an arena attached to a mall.
Editor, BC Interruption
True, but as a temporary solution while they make an arena...
…it’s better than Freitas.
by Grant Salzano on Dec 22, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
The Q’s new arena is gorgeous. Big reason they’re my #1 choice! haha
I just think UConn would be a good fit if they were able to commit to the program.
Have you ever been to Freitas? It’s like watching hockey in a warehouse.
by Grant Salzano on Dec 22, 2011 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
Quinnipiac is my top choice as well, followed closely by Holy Cross, who’s got geography, the whole Catholic school thing and a rivalry with BC going for it.
Editor, BC Interruption
Excellent point by a USCHO poster:
You don’t need to hire a consultant to eliminate sports. You just cut ’em. See Rutgers, Quinnipiac and any number of others. That would be throwing good money after bad. If they went this far they did so because someone wants to move the program up to a new level.
Reading between the lines
The NCHC hires Stafford Sports. UConn hockey hires Stafford Sports.
Can only mean one thing … UConn is joining the NCHC.
Editor, BC Interruption
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