Newsgroups: rpi.mail.hockey-l
Subject: RPI stays in the ECAC, Press Release
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Expires: Jayson Moy
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Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY
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Here is the official press release concerning the stay in the ECAC.
 
Troy, NY - President R. Byron Pipes announced today Rensselaer's decision
to retain its membership in the ECAC Division I Ice Hockey League.
 
The announcement follows a five-month study initiated by President Pipes
to study the question of changing league affiliation.  The study,
conducted by a small committee, with representation from Rensselaer's
trustees, faculty, students, and admissions office, concluded that the
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) offers the essential ingredients
for advancing the university's Division I sport.
 
"Central to our decision is the ECAC's commitment to the student-athlete
as the focus of success both on and off the ice," commented President
Pipes.  "Rensselaer sets high standards for admission, conduct, and
graduation of our scholar-athletes, including hockey players.  Our
colleagues in the ECAC share this philosophy of sport and many have
similarly high academic standards."
 
In making the announcement, the president also noted that the ECAC hockey
league includes many of Rensselaer's most cherished hockey rivalries. ECAC
schools include Clarkson, St. Lawrence, Harvard, Cornell, Vermont, Colgate,
Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Princeton and Union.
 
Another key is the ECAC's commitment to strengthen and promote the
league.  Members have agreed to expand the number of games permissible to
be playes next year-from 30 to 32, two games less than the NCAA-permitted
maximum of 34 - and to initiate a television package that will bring ECAC
games to upstate New York and New England.
 
"We want to play - and win - in a league that has set a course for
continuous improvement," said Pipes, "and the ECAC is now making the
moves needed to do just that.  We look forward to working closely
with all of our colleagues to bring Eastern hockey to a high plane of
competition and respect."
 
As the study has progressed, much has been said about the ECAC's
academic index - a league requirement that the academic character of
recruited hockey players generally match that of the incoming class as
a whole.
 
Dr. Pipes commented, "We are in support of acdemic standards.  Our tough
admissions standard for all students represents a higher mountain to
climb than the academic index."
 
Dr. Pipes noted that the decision was made after a close study of both
leagues.
 
"We have always been impressed by the Hockey East," noted Pipes.  "It
is an aggresive league which has been innovative in its effort to promote
the sport.  We appreciate its interest in Rensselaer and, with strong
rivalries in both leagues, we expect to continue our policy of playing
a number of Hockey East teams each season."
 
In concluding his announcement, President Pipes thanked the many fans,
alumni, and community members who have offered advice and commentary
over the past several months.  "This was not an easy choice.  Both
leagues offer important opportunities and both were gracious to us as
we explored the possibilities."
 
Dr. Pipes also thanked former hockey coach Buddy Powers and athletic
director Bob Ducatte, both of whom worked closely with the study
committee as it weighed the pros and cons of league alignment.
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end of Press Release
 
All typos are mine (Even though Kelly is awful with grammar)
 
 
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