Cross-posted because the message involves D-II and D-I hockey...
 
 
Reportedly, UNO's bid to the CCHA is being batted around some and is the
subject of conversation among CCHA AD's and coaches at the moment.
 
 
Also, according to the rumor mill, UAH is now leaning toward
Division I independent status in hockey.  Some sources are claiming
there will be an announcement on the matter tomorrow.
 
 
Let me be the first to propose a new Division I league.  I think that
Army, Air Force, Mercyhurst or Niagara, Bemidji, Mankato, UAH, and UNO
would make for a nice sixth D-I hockey league.  If Findlay wants
to upgrade, they could join, possibly in place of the Hurst and Niagara,
if one or both of those schools wants to go the MAAC route.  The
teams could play a balanced schedule where everyone plays at everyone
else's barns for one series a year.  Or, an unbalanced schedule with less
games could also work.  The teams are fairly evenly matched, and we could
have some good hockey.  Mike Machnik: do you know if anyone has
proposed an arrangement like that before?
 
Travel costs could be somewhat high, but if the league schedule is
kept around 20 games, each team could fill in up to about a dozen more
matches against more local competition if they liked.
 
UAH, UNO, and other schools, are you listening?
 
Fans, coaches, etc., what do you think?
 
Tim Newman
 
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