>> They will throw their money at the biggest schools, making the rich,
richer.
 
Well, as long as the sport remains truly amateur, this shouldn't make that
much difference.  There are three levels: programs without the resources or
will to support an adequate program, programs with such will and resources,
and programs with a super-adundance of such will and resources.  With proper
watchfulness of ethical standards, there should be not that much difference
between schools of the latter types.  I am not suggesting subsizing schools
of the first type -- if you literally cannot afford it or don't want to be
there, then don't do it in the first place.  But when it comes to a true
student-athlete's chosing between schools of the latter types, his/her own
academic/professional/social preferences will often outweigh a simple
consideration of who has more money to throw around.
 
>  (it's inevitable, brace yourself - just a matter of when).
 
I disagree *absolutely*.  Nothing destructive is ever inevitable -- that's
simple defeatism.  Life *is* standing up for and working on behalf of your
beliefs.  If college football and basketball had had organized and motivated
defenders, they would not have become sewers.  The college hockey community
has many, many such defenders, and there is no reason to predict that they
cannot keep the sport vital.
 
An example from a different world: I love in an absolutely lovely city --
and it has *only* remained that way because decades ago the populace moved
to severely restrict growth within various zones around the outlying area.
The result has been managed growth without unsightly sprawl or weakening of
the general level of civic conduct.  Rich developers still have a place here
, and they make their immense bundles, but they don't leave the area an
unaesthetic dust bowl in the process.  Everyone benefits.  Here, capital
does what its best at, but doesn't destroy what it touches.
 
 There are plenty of other urban landscapes which are utterly desolate, in
large part because the locals felt they were powerless to defeat the
onrushing forces.  It is only nice here because a sufficient number of
motivated people acted.
 
We can do the same thing in college hockey -- all it takes is imagination
and optimism, and the occasional healthy reflex to give the "bigger is
better" types the finger.
 
-- Greg
 
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