>Excellent points below - thanks for having the courage to share them!
>
>The only time I raised my eyebrows is when you use the phrase "truly
D-I
>calibre."  It almost sounds as if you believe that the only teams that
>belong in a given league/division are the ones that have a legitimate
shot
>at winning the championship.  I know that's not what you mean, but
where
>DOES one draw the line?  Also, what's so wrong about playing for
pride -
>should the team picked to finish last (or 10th, Greg!) in the
conference
>just forfeit all their games?
 
I had the exact same concern with Brian's message.  As I've pointed out
in another note, there is no such thing as "D-1 calibre" -- only what
each individual likes to see.
 
With 300 college hoops teams, so what that only 100 can win -- I think
it's much less than that really.
 
What's good about the system is, each team is playing for SOMETHING each
year, such as their conference tournament and an NCAA bid.
 
What is wrong with that.
 
Obviously, if college hockey had 100 teams, and even if they were all
equal, you'd still only win it all every 100 years.  So you better have
something else to be playing for all the time or you're going to be
awfully disappointed.
 
Princeton winning the ECAC Tournament was a tremendous thrill.  Sure it
was heartbroken with a close lose in the tourney, but the kids will
remember that ECAC win forever.
 
There's nothing wrong with a system of stronger and weaker conferences
within Division-1 ... for all of basketball and football's ills, I don't
think this is one of them.  It allows for not everyone being equal,
though still allowing everyone to join the D-1 party.
 
I think we are getting to the point in pro sports now, that there are so
many teams, I think the leagues should start making a bigger deal out of
conference championships, or AL and NL championships.  With 30 teams
soon in the NHL, even in an equal league, you'll only win every 30
years --- once or twice a lifetime.  So you better find some happiness
and satisfaction in other goals.
 
AW
 
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