The division format which has been suggested for the WCCHA super league, or
Imperial Collegiate Hockey Association, is, in theory, an neat idea for
handling the sheer number of established teams, and new Div. 1 entries as
well.  However, the teams which make up each division will be the most
important and most difficult to establish.
 
The team format being passed around on this list seems to make more sense
than the team format originally suggested in the daily papers.  Keeping
Minnesota and Wisconsin in the "Johnson" :) division would be a must, as well
as Michigan and Michigan State in the same division, and easy too, due to
their relative close proximity.  But the problem that develops is when
traditional rivals get "cutoff" by division, as Eric mentioned with regards
to ND and MINN.  Rivalry's are good for the game, and must be maintained in
some manner.  That is one of the wonderful aspects of our game.
 
When Penn St. joined up, the BIG11TEM offered its football teams an option:
By having an unbalanced schedule, and having to not play 2-3 conference teams
each season, traditional rivalries would not always continue. (MICH/OSU)  So
each Big(11)Ten school got to choose two teams it considered rivals and whom
they wanted to play every year, no matter what.  The remainder of the schools
would rotate.  Wisconsin choose Minnesota (naturally) and IOWA, IOWA choose
MINN and WIS, Minn the same.  Perhaps some system such as this could be used
to allow the division format, while allowing traditional rivals the
opportunity to not miss any games against each other.  How this would work, I
have no idea!
 
DISCLAIMER:  I, in no way, suggest that BIG11TEN football, or any football,
is as cool of a game as college hockey.  The comparisons have been used for
discussion purpose only.  Take care!
 
 
Yours,
 
Terry E. Tuschen Jr.
 
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