OK, first things first (my disclaimer). I am a student. I am not in
administration; I am not a player; I am strictly a college hockey fan who
has followed the Seawolves (primarily) and the Nanooks (by virture of them
being our instate rivals) for several years. Although I am temporarily
away from UAA this year (on an exchange program), I will be returning to
Anchorage (or possible Fairbanks...depending on what I decide in a month
or so) for school next fall.
These are _MY_ observations and comments...most of which probably have
already been said, but anyway...
1) Mr. Roselius states that UAA would sooner see UAF shrivel up an die then
join the WCHA. He says that in the past, Anchorage has always looked down
on UAF... My point of view:
I don't know how he can say that Anchorage has looked down on UAF.
The games between these two teams are arguably the most exciting
games of they year for the fans and the players. I know that myself
and several of my friends would drive up to Fairbanks to see the games
any time that UAA would go there, and this year they went without me.
Driving over 700 miles through a couple of mountain passes in less
then 24 hours to see 60 minutes of hockey shows some pretty good
dedication. UAA will always fill their areana when UAF comes to
town, and UAF is getting close to filling there own when UAA is there.
The fans love these games.
Now, I am less qualified to give the administration's point of view...
but perhaps I can give it a shot:
Until UAA entered the WCHA, and UAF was affiliated witht he CCHA,
both schools NEEDED EACH OTHER to survive. At one point, they
were playing each otehr eight times a season. The coaches were
good friends (Don Lucia used to be Brush's assistant coach), and
of course there were players on each of the teams that were
friends with players on the other. Of course, there was a rivalry
there (still is), and so of course you might hear "hate" from both
sides, but hey, needed each other. Ok, so UAA enters the WCHA and
gets TWO "free" games to schedule by itself. As it has been said,
UAA had to choose between the Nissan Jeep (very successful financially
(fans pay for I think three sessions, get to see four games), and
very good for PR), and playing Fairbanks in a home and home (also
successful financially, though only one session and one game).
Quite a hard choice, eh? So, a couple of senerios:
1) UAA hosts the Nissan Jeep, brings Fairbanks and two
other teams to town with a guaranteed 1st round match-
up between UAA and UAF.
UAA is pleased with this...get to host their tourny and also
get to play against their rivals...All around winners here...
EXCEPT, UAF is UNHAPPY - no sellout crowd in Fairbanks
($$), and no games in Fairbanks.
2) Do a home and home series at UAA and UAF
Each town gets to see one game and each college gets one
sellout crowd. Seems like a good compromise...That's what
happened this year.
So I guess the question that UAA is asking: Should we keep the
home and home series with UAF (one game each town), or should
we go back to our Nissan Jeep (three games for Anchorage), and
invite UAF to it knowing full well that they would decline the
invitation...
I would think that UAA would LOVE to have UAF in the WCHA...Then
they could hold their toury, get home games with Fairbanks, and
everyone would just all around be happy. Well...I think at least
the fans would like it...Which brings about anotehr question?
What is the purpose of college hockey? Is it for the fans? Is
it for the players? Is it for the schools? Well anyway...that's
a side topic. ;-)
Or, I could be entirely off on everything that I have said, but it seems
to all make sense to me. =) Just my $.02
Oh, although this will likely greatly reduce my credability, why the
hoot-te-ho are all the teams in the WCHA making such a fuss about
potentially having to make TWO trips to Alaska when UAA has to make EIGHT
trips out? Just wondering...
Shane
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