First a comment on the school's name. I am involved in recruiting for RPI under their recent agreement with the CA junior college system. On one of those college nites recently, not one person recognized the name "Rensselaer" (let alone being able to spell it), but about half recognized RPI (which used to be semi-confused with Rose Poly til they changed to Rose-Hulman Institute). So if those people on the campus have any touch with the admin people, you might tell them that the people out in the trenches see much more awareness to RPI than Rensselaer, and that also goes for hockey recognition -- the few CAlifornians that now it exists, recognize the name as a college hockey occasional power. Years ago I believe there was even a movement to change it to Rensselaer University Yuck!! Without the polytechnic, the nature of the academic programs is not even obvious, so many liberal arts types flock to the desk, only to leave in haste when you mention physics and chemistry and calculus!! So that is another vote for RPI I believe. On the subject of HE vs ECAC, I, for one, believe they made the right decision. I feel better, as an alum, playing in a league with schools that have good academic standards (not to slight the HE schools!! :-))... while I love Div I hockey, I have been present for big NCAA penalties at U of Ill in the late 60s involving huge slush funds, etc, and generally believe Div I athletics has gotten out of hand.... that hockey still remains with academics still in mind, I would hate to see that change, for all the schools involved. It is nice to see name recognition, and it might even draw alumni dollars, but not at the expense of academics. I like to believe that RPI alums, while liking their team to win at the national level, would rather support the school because of its academic programs than its athletics -- a trait that is definitely not true at many Div I athletic powers. Tony Buffa RPI '64, U of Ill '66, PhD '69 Professor of Physics California Polytechnic State University (yes CPSU@SLO), San Luis Obispo Go Engineers!!