Neil writes:
>        ESPN2 wanted to televise BU's top-10 showdown with Northeastern
>        at Walter Brown Arena Nov. 12 nationwide. But due to a prior
>        scheduling of a Canadian Football League game, ESPN2 requested
>        a 9 p.m. EDT start. Parker and BU athletic director Gary Strickler
>        balked at the idea.
>
>        "My opinion is the most important people here are in the stands,"
>        Parker said.
>        "We want to promote hockey, but it wouldn't be fair to our guys,
>        to Northeastern and, most importantly, our fans who want to
>        get out of here at a decent hour."
 
It may not be the best decision in terms of getting college hockey more TV
exposure, but I want to salute Parker and Strickler for this.  Too often in
other sports, we have seen colleges mess around with the starting times of
games to satisfy TV networks (note all the ESPN Thursday night football
games), and I don't think college hockey should fall into that trap.  Re-
fusing to bow down to the sports programming gods may hurt hockey's chances
at getting the attention of a national audience, but I think an attitude
similar to what Parker and Strickler have shown here will be better in the
long run for the sport.
--
Disclaimer -- Unless otherwise noted, all opinions expressed above are
              strictly those of:
 
Bill Fenwick                        |  Send your HOCKEY-L poll responses to:
Cornell '86 and '94.5               |  [log in to unmask]
LET'S GO RED!!                                                  DJF  5/27/94
"I had a terrible time in college, until I finally figured out what my
 problem was.  I had been highlighting with a black magic marker."
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