Here are some highlights from reports on Mankato State and the U of
N-Omaha's quest to begin Division-1 hockey and join the WCHA as reported
in the Minneapolis StarTribune and WDAZ-TV in Grand Forks, ND.
 
The UNO Mavericks intend to start a Div. 1 program in the fall of 1997.
They will play their games at the 6000 seat Aksarben Arena or possibly at
the 8000 seat Civic Auditorium (if it is renovated and ice is
installed).  UNO intends to hire a coach by July 1.
 
UNO is adding four women's athletic programs: swimming and diving,
soccer, tennis, and golf.
 
UNO intends to play two seasons as a Div. 1 independent, scheduling most
of the WCHA schools, and hope to join the WCHA in 1999.
 
Mankato State begins competition as a Div. 1 independent this fall.  They
open the season at Michigan Tech on Oct. 18.  Mankato state will probably
not be able to join the WCHA before the 1999 - 2000 season.
 
The WCHA is cutting back from 32 to 28 league games for the 97-98 and
98-99 seasons.  This reduction in league games will allow WCHA teams to
play more games against both Manakato State and UNO.  Under the reduced
league game schedule, each team will choose one opponent to play four
times and then draw to determine which four of the remaining eight teams
they will play four times each.
 
*end of sourced material*
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The reduction of league games in the 97-98 and 98-99 seasons and choosing
of opponents ought to be an interesting topic of discussion.  How unbalanced
is the league schedule going to be with only 28 league games?
 
enjoy,
 
Zac R. Halter
the unofficial NMU anti-fan :-(
 
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