Here is the article which appeared in the Polytechnic: (I forget the date of the paper) RPI hockey team to stay in ECAC On July 22, 1994, RPI President R. Byron Pipes announced that Rensselaer's hockey program will retain its membership in the ECAC Division I Hockey League. After a five-month study, a committee of trustees, faculty and students decided that the ECAC offers the correct combination of ingredients needed to advance RPI's only 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." Also noted in the announcement was that the ECAC hockey league includes many of Rensselaer's most cherished hockey rivalries, including those with Clarkson, St. Lawrence, Harvard, Brown, Cornell and Princeton. Another factor in the decision is the recent commitment by the ECAC to strengthen and promote the league. The members have agreed to expand the permissible number of games from 30 to 32, two games less than the NCAA-permitted maximum of 34. This will allow the chance for RPI to have a comparable schedule to teams in other leagues, such as the CCHA. This may also strengthen their chances of being selected for the post-season NCAA tournament. In addition, a TV deal has been initiated to bring ECAC games to upstate New York and New England. In reference to the decision, Pipes also noted that it was made after a careful study of both the ECAC and Hockey East. "We have always been impressed by the Hockey East." noted Pipes. "It is an aggressive league which has been innovative in its effort. 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 conclusion President Pipes thanked the many fans, alums and community members who have given advice during the study. He also thanked former hockey coach Buddy Powers and Athletic Director Bob Ducatte, both of whom worked with the committee during the study. He also noted, "This was not an easy choice. Both leagues offer important opportunities and both were most gracious to us as we explored the possibilities." On Wed, 16 Nov 1994, Mike Sprung wrote: > The off-season was filled with rumors of RPI's intention to move > to Hockey East. Two of the top reasons for this were: (1) Wider and more > frequent television coverage, and (2) Lower academic requirements for signing > new players than those for the ECAC. Can anyone tell me why this move was not > made? It would seem that such an action could only better the program, but > I probably don't have all the facts (as usual!). Thanks. >