Somehow I don't imagine that money is the principal factor for Bates in keeping the team as a club sport.  While the school may not have Harvard's endowment I suspect it is reasonably well-endowed.  Although, it would be interesting to know if the players do have to pay for ice time, etc. Frankly, I would be somewhat surprised if college students already burdened with high tuition at a private school would pay too much to play hockey but I could be wrong.  Being the cynical sort, I suspect that for reasons beyond me Bates simply wants to avoid having a varsity mens team, and has discovered that they can offer a D-3 experience to its women by joining the ECAC Alliance and still call it club.
 
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