A couple of final thoughts on this thread. Brian Morris expressed
disappointment about Union's financial aid policies regarding hockey
players. To Union's credit they have been very upfront about what that
policy is and how it will remain. It is a matter of institutional
philosophy and it is aimed at providing aid to every student in need -- in
other words making a scarce resource go around. That is a fine goal and one
for which we should not criticize them. And for awhile, Union was able to
be competitive in D-1 hockey while living under that policy. I think,
however, that the day has come where that course of action is no longer
feasible. Except for D-1 hockey, Union still seems to fit the NESCAC
philosophical profile to a "T". Seems like it would be a natural for them
to go back. Certainly one of the Current ECAC D-1 presidents might be able
to act as a go-between to smooth the way in light of past history?
 
        The second point about the new arena Union might have built off campus
last year is also not quite a black and white issue. According to the
Gazette, the students themselves turned it down as well as the athletic
department. The problem was really with the site and the proposed
management arrangement. Personally I would rather see Achilles get some
major renovation including women's team accommodations. Big new rinks are
very sterile places, especially if they are not filled to capacity.
Achilles has a lot of character very much like Walker had at Tech.
 
        Finally, I guess I ruffled some feathers with my comment about the
relative strength of the top MAAC teams (I happen to follow UConn and QC)
and Union. Not sure who Michael Hutter was watching and when, but I do
respect Larry Winer's opinion. I went back and looked at QC's, Union's, and
UConn's stats against Army. Pretty close on aggregate. I'll stick by my
contention that those two teams skate better than Union now. Whether they
beat them is something we'll never know until the established conferences
deign to schedule the MAAC on a regular basis.
 
        -- Dick Tuthill
 
 
 
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