I think the NCHA has always had an automatic bid into the D-III tourney.
When Bemidji went D-II, they were excluded from the Conference playoffs and
could not offer any scholarship because of the D-III Conference standing
with the NCAA.
 
Troy Mills
 
Bemidji State (96)
NAIA Champs 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1979, 1980
NCAA III Champs  1986
NCAA II Champs  1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997
NCAA I Champs ????
 
----------
From: Richard S. Tuthill <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Automatic Bids
Date: Friday, July 03, 1998 4:25 PM
 
        This thread has migrated to HOCKEY-L,  but it is also relevant to
HOCKEY
3.
 
        I am under a couple of impressions which may,  or may not,  be
right.
 
1.   An institution is not considered D-1 in a sport until it has served
its probationary period,  no matter how many D-1 games it schedules during
the probationary period.   Thus QC was "considered" D-2 last year despite
scheduling several D-1 games (Fairfield,  Iona,  Holy Cross,  perhaps
Army).   What level were Niagara,  UNO,  and Mankato "considered" last
year?
 
2.   I think that the ECAC East (and West,  for that matter) did not get
D-3 automatic bids while the SUNYAC did  --  for the same reason the NCHA
does not and the MIAC does.   Namely,  these conferences are not completely
D-3 conferences.   Doesn't (or didn't) the NCHA have Bemidji who are (were)
D-2,  and won't they get their bid back when Bemidji leaves?   Perhaps I
have juxtaposed the conferences not being a D-3 west expert and have also
gotten the abbreviations wrong,  but I think most folks know what I am
trying to say here.
 
        Comments?
 
        -- Dick Tuthill
 
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