Brian Cavanaugh, coach of Canisius, and I have been discussing
something that is going to be of great concern to all college hockey
fans relatively soon. With Coach Cavanaugh's permission, I am
forwarding his comments below to both mailing lists.
The subject is the fate of the 13 NC$$ DivII hockey programs after the
1994-95 season. These programs are: AIC, Alabama-Huntsville,
Assumption, Bemidji State, Bentley, Mankato State, Mercyhurst, New
Hampshire College, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, St Anselm, St Michael's,
and Stonehill. 7 of those 13 are members of the Northeast-10 (DivII
conference that Merrimack is a member of).
Some may recall, the last time the DivII tourney was abolished in
1984, DivII teams were given several options. At least one of those
options - to drop down to DivIII - will NOT be available this time.
Also, as a result of the first such demolition of DivII ten years ago,
several teams are now in DivI conferences - UAA, UAF, Merrimack. If
all of the DivII teams declare as DivI Independents next season (not
likely), there would be 21 such Independents.
A related question is whether or not this change will result in a new
fifth DivI conference and/or additional teams scheduling the 20 games
necessary to qualify for the DivI tourney. There are already a number
of teams officially classified as DivI Indeps (Canisius is one) but
who play mostly DivII-III teams. If a number of these teams can
organize and schedule the 20 games, it could eventually change the
face of DivI hockey.
This is something to keep an eye on as it develops. I would be very
interested in hearing what any of the 13 programs have decided to do
for next year.
- mike
----- begin forwarded message -----
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 1994 08:21:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Brian Cavanaugh @ Koessler Athletics" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: reply
To: [log in to unmask]
Mike,
Oh, to be 25 again ! Happy Birthday Heather - the first Mrs.
of Plattsburgh (ugh ! ) State Hockey.
Regarding D 2 schools.
From what I have heard Dept. :
1. NCAA is officially NOT having a D-2 tournament after this
year.
2. Any school who is D 2 - NCAA Div II - would NOT get a
choice to play in D 3 but would be considered D-I in
the NCAA "eyes". What that means is they would only
be eligible (if they met the requirements) for a
national championship at the D-I level. They could
NOT opt to play down to D 3 , as they were allowed to
several years ago when the D 2 NCAA's were temporarily
cancelled.
3. Now, how will the D 2 schools handle this. Those 13 -
AIC, Mercyhurst, Alabama, Mankato, etc.
A. Upgrade their program to D I and join a conference.
B. Play an independent schedule of 20 D-I games and try
to be considered for the Nationals.
C. Play a regional ECAC EAST/WEST schedule - abide by
both NCAA D-II rules and ECAC rules and just play
in the ECAC championship/ without being considered
for the NCAA's. As we do and UConn, Holy Cross, etc.
Except we abide by all NCAA D-I rules because we are
an NCAA D-I school - athletically.
D. Play all independent schedule - no regionals or
national playoff. Alabama ?????
E. Drop Hockey.
F. Combine with some other schools to start a "new"
league or conference with possibly some restrictions
on budget, spending, etc. As you mentioned a new
5th conference under some umbrella. This sounds
interesting and MAYBE some schools could keep their
ECAC affiliation.
One note here - ECAC meetings for Fall - are yesterday
and today. The agenda included possibly some changing
of ECAC EAST hockey with 2 new teams and two divisions
and new playoff format. When I hear more Or if YOU
hear more let me know as well as hockey 3.
Keep up your good work on hockey-L.
Coach Cavanaugh
----- end forwarded message -----
--- ---
Mike Machnik [log in to unmask]
Cabletron Systems, Inc. *HMM* 11/13/93
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