Prime should no longer do college hockey because half the affilates
(especially PASS) occasionally preempt these games for NHL and/or NBA
games forcing the games to always air tape-delayed.  They should also no
longer do college hockey because I feel they do not completely cover the
scope of the national scene.  I would like to see only the networks that
will commit to college hockey live coverage show the games.  Showing live
college hockey will further increase its popularity and viewers would
probably be more interested in the games.
 
A station that really seems to care about the college hockey game
is ESPN.  During the NHL lockout, ESPN 2 showed a game of the
week live.  Just about all the games were top matchups.  To have ESPN/ESPN 2
do the Game of the Week would always guarantee that the game
will be live.  Having a doubleheader each week would be a great
consideration.  Have a CCHA and a HE game one week then have a ECAC and
WCHA game another week.  Then you could rotate the leagues around so you
have one league on once at least every other week.
 
Mike makes an excellent point about the schedule.  Even though I live in
CCHA territory, each league should be given equal representation.  As
great as the WCHA was last year, just two teams will be on Prime.  The
ECAC does have some talent worthy of being shown on TV also.  Prime
should not be limiting its coverage mainly to HE and CCHA.  There are
good teams in EVERY league.
 
I also would see PASS, NESN, and MSC go back and do a Game of the Week
for their respective leagues in addition to the national coverage.  I do
not know if there is an ECAC Game of the Week but I feel there should
be.  This could give viewers a selection of what games they would be most
interested in.  Like the NFL and College Football, College Hockey would
benefit by having multiple games on TV each week as its popularity is
increasing.  Ultimately college hockey should be as popular as college
football and college basketball.  Giving the game this exposure will help
increase fans, teams, leagues, and competition.
 
============================
Kenneth M. Baker
University of Michigan '96
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
============================
 
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