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Reply To: | Brian Cavanaugh @ Koessler Athletics |
Date: | Thu, 1 Jul 1993 12:50:08 -0500 |
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The history and background of both ECAC and SUNY is too long to
get into but I will make a few points on this subject. These
are based on 13 years head coaching, 3 years Asst. Coach and
5 years playing all at the this level - my first experience
with college hockey was in 1971.
1. The ECAC is run by the members A.D.'s - I've been told
that many times by Joe Bertagna (Executive Director).
If legislation needs to be accomplished - the A.D.'s
put it in and then it becomes LAW. All the ECAC does
is ????? I guess schedule two meetings a year.
This may sound cynical BUT that's what I see - very
little sound intellligent foresight from the top.
With one exception - Joe B. - he cares and listens
and tries to help as much as he can.
2. SUNY - they have their own conference and automatic
bid to the nationals. They are still members of ECAC ?
Why ? They do not participate in ECAC playoffs.
IMHO - the ECAC should MANDATE that they do participate
or they are NOT PART OF ECAC HOCKEY. - PERIOD !!!!!
This is harsh but send a message that you are either
in the conference or your not.
3. There should be some ORGANIZED way that games INTRACONFERENCE
count toward ECAC postseason. (NOTE: All games count in
overall record for consideration by NCAA selection for
at - large bid to the national champioship - if you
qualify in your classification.) I would like to see
games West vs Suny, East vs West, North vs West (yes, all
divisions) somehow count. Why ? Maybe we could expand
our schedules and create more competition outside our
regions. Things are getting too local - and I'm sure
that $$$$$ (A.D.'s) are nodding that this is good.
4. As time goes on the games (RIT vs Oswego) will become
LESS important - because it won't count in either
teams ECAC standings.
5. SUNY is a very powerful group - in all sports. They
have the ideal situation - especially with the automatic
bid. They can just compete within SUNY and survive.
Buffalo State this year becomes the 8th team and will
play a varsity schedule in a beautiful new rink on campus.
6. NESCAC may follow SUNY's course of action - seek an automatic
bid and play a home/home within NESCAC and limit play
outside NESCAC. This will affect the EAST within a year
otr two - my prediction. There are still enough teams
in the EAST for competition - but it won't be the same.
7. Each school has its own agenda in the ECAC - size, public vs
private, academic standards, etc. It would be a DREAM to
have the ECAC look at the total picture and devise some
plan of action. As in the past things will happen - and
as they do - then the committee reacts to it. That's the
way its been and thats the way it will be.
8. This year - East, WEST, Suny - all have their own
schedule and standings for regular season with no
post season play against each other (within ECAC).
The North/Central/South play against each other in
ECAC post season ???
9. The West will only have 6 teams (Elmira, Hobart, RIT,
Canisius, Mercyhurst and Scranton) St. Bonaventure has
dropped varsity hockey and will be CLUB. That means
there's 10 division games that count for playoffs and
4 out of 6 teams based on points will make playoffs.
Although those are nice odds - from my perspective
and our players I would like to see a more diversified
arrangement.
10. and last..... as always your opinions and insights
are read with enthusiasm and gusto.
Brian Cavanaugh
Canisius College
P.S. Bill Greer - I tried to send a personal message
but it did'nt go thru - send your E-Mail address
to me.
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