article continued from yesterday's posting...
 
    In 1984, the WCHA became even stronger when it reclaimed Michigan Tech and
 welcomed Northern Michigan from the CCHA. The league also joined the members
 of Hockey East in an interlocking schedule, the first of its kind in college
 sports history. The agreement, which carried for five seasons through 1988-89,
 had interlocking games counting in the WCHA standings as well as those of
 Hockey East.
 
     The 1986-87 season saw the University of North Dakota sweep through the
 regular season and playoffs to win the NCAA title. Along the way, the Fighting
 Sioux set a NCAA record with 40 victories, while center Tony Hrkac set a
 national single season scoring record with 116 points and won the Hobey Baker
 Memorial Award.
 
     In 1987-88, the league staged its first annual WCHA Playoff Championship
 at the St. Paul (MN) Civic Center in what was a rousing success. Over four
 tournament games, a total of 51,807 fans saw four WCHA teams battle for the
 championship, an average of 12,952 per game! That success has since continued,
 with 150,000 spectators attending the first three playoff championships,
 helping it become one of college hockey's premier showcase events.
 
     Last year, the University of Wisconsin put the WCHA back on top by
 sweeping to the NCAA Championship with a 36-9-1 record. The title gives the
 WCHA an incredible 28 national championships since 1952!
 
     With the 1990-91 campaign, the league will begin another challenging
 season. The WCHA has added a new full-time member in St. Cloud State
 University, and welcomes several new coaches, athletic directors, faculty
 representatives and sports information directors.
 
     With it's long and colorful history, the WCHA has developed a solid
 reputation within the sport for its high calibre of competition and
 leadership. That reputation is stronger than ever today and should continue
 for years to come.
                   (end of article)
 Another other interesting fact from the next page:
      The WCHA has has at least one representative in the NCAA Championship
 (final four) EVERY season since 1952!!  (WOW, even I'm impressed! :-) )
 
 After reading the WCHA history, it would be interesting to read what the
 other conferences have to say about their beginnings. Any volunteers?
 At least it's still early enough in the pre-season to allow for numerous
 messages!!! *:-)
 
 And it's ONLY 42 days till the Gopher season opener in Eveleth!!!
 Bring on those NCAA Champion Wildcats!!!
 
 Carol
 U of M
 GO Gophers!!!