> Why isn't Bemidji State being considered for the ever mysterious 12th WCHA
> team?
>
> Am I missing (or forgetting) something really obvious?
 
Yep:
 
1.  There doesn't seem to be any great desire to go division I in
Bemidji, unlike in Mankato or at N. Dakota State.
 
2.  Budgets -- the Minnesota State Univ. Board refused Mankato's
request (complete with fan and community support) to go DI for
budgetary reasons.  It's very unlikely they'd respond positively to a
similar request from Bemidji (much smaller school, smaller community,
smaller fan base, etc.).
 
3.  The Minnesota State University System is in the process of
merging with the community and technical colleges (yech).  It's
unlikely a change in hockey programs would even be considered until
this organizational nightmare is over.
 
4.  Budgets.
 
5.  The impact on women's athletic programs.
 
6.  Budgets.
 
In terms of athletic programs, fan base, community support, and
facilities, NDSU makes the most sense.