Originally sent by Nathan Eric Hampton <[log in to unmask]>
Forwarded to HOCKEY-L by Bill Fenwick <[log in to unmask]>
 
 
------------------ Original message (ID=103EE0) (65 lines) --------------------
 
 
Bentley moving its hockey program to Division I reminds me of a story, a
type of urban legend, that just before the stock market crash of 1929,
John D. Rockefeller sold all of his stock. As he was getting his shoes
shined, he was told by the shoe shine boy that this poor, common,
day-worker had just bought stock because everybody else was. Rockefeller
recognized the herd mentality that made the Holland bulb bubble famous
and got out before the shit hit the fan.
 
I realize the NCAA is practicing its own type of genocide on Division II
ice hockey programs, forcing them to either go up or down a division or
to become extinct. And as one who would gladly welcome a 16 team
tournament, I welcome the influx of teams whose DI numbers may exceed
that magic threshold allowing for a normal 16 team tournament rather
than the current bastard 12 team tournament we current have. However, I
question the wisdom of a school like Bentley joining the ice hockey
elite.
 
I've been on Bentley's campus and it reminds me of a California
community college (Valencia to be exact). There is no ice hockey arena
and no hope of one -- particularly a DI arena. Outside of business
majors, does it have any academic prowess? Where are the Illinois
Chicago-Circles, the Kents, the Michigan Dearborns? Don't get me wrong,
I'm not trying to be a snobbish elitist -- Bentley has as much right to
try and to fail as the above listed schools. God bless their hearts for
giving it the old college try. But as any private business venture that
gets as hot as NCAA DI Mens Ice Hockey currently is, there is rapid
growth that overshoots a long run equilibrium and results in failures,
bankruptcies, and usually calls for government protection.
 
Thanks to the NCAA and its "go DI or else" policy, I am afraid men's ice
hockey is in for some very troubled times. Failed programs and maybe
even some damaged academic standing by schools who shot for the
glamorous big time and fell financially and fan-support short are very
likely to be produced by the NCAA's policy. The worse part of their
policy is the short deadline by which the decision to go DI must be
made. I am afraid schools are throwing caution to the wind, and
buying-in to the DI hockey used-sports (re: car) salesmen at the NCAA.
Lemon programs are not going to do any of us college hockey fans any
good.
 
Time to give the podium or pulpit to someone else.
Nathan Eric Hampton
 
 
 
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