I just read J Michael Jackson's treatise, and I must admit that I'm
impressed.
 
My first thought to the thread on UNO's possible move from zilch to D-I was
"wow, there must be a big youth hockey program around Omaha".  That not
being the case (?), I can easily forsee things that Mr Jackson fears coming
true, though there are precedents to the contrary (specifically, the
increasing popularity of women's basketball -- national powerhouses still
include Louisiana Tech and Old Dominion, and many large schools are still
not seen in the top 25, but Wisconsin is an example of a large school
"coming of age" in that "new" arena!).
 
I've often read on hockey-l and on rec.sport.football.college that Wisconsin
gets some plum bowl bids / NCAA tournament seedings because the powers that
be in the NC$$ realize that UW alumni will turn out in force.  I think the
same can be said of Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, and (to a lesser
extent) Ohio State.  In other words, the thought that the power of the
dollar affects the NCAA is already in many people's minds.
 
If D-I does increase by 15-25%, I don't see how the current 4 conferences
can survive, especially in the west.  Travel is just hell, unless logical
tavel pairs can be formed.  And the WCHA's format of playing 4 games vs
anybody will have to go out the door.
 
I could see 5-6 conferences of 10 teams each, arranged along regional lines,
with travel considerations very important in forming the conferences.  That
may cost some traditional rivals when it comes to leag play vs each other,
which won't be appealing to the alumni (read that "the $a$l$u$m$n$i$").
 
It would seem reasonable for Hockey USA, or the NCAA, or the AHCA to form a
(shudder) committee to plan for expansion; sort of a roadmap to 2000, or
some such thing.  Is anything like this being done (that anyone knows of)?
 
This promises to be a good thread.
 
Steve G
 
PS  I'll compile and present the results of the "top 5 current coaches"
thread next monday.  If you haven't voted yet, please do so.  I'll also
include a section about non-current coaches so, while I really want your top
5 current ones, I'd encourage you to add a mention of any other coaches
(etc) for my other section.
 
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