I've been away from the list for awhile,  and I see that we've had a bit of
discussion about the new D-1 league.
 
        The question really comes down to whether or not you want to grow the sport.
 If you do,  then give the new league an immediate single automatic bid.   If
not,  then don't.   Make it tough on them.
 
        Btw,  a bid for the new league would shortly draw scholarships into the
programs when the administrations of the member schools see the possibilities
for national exposure.   If that happens at only a few schools,  then it will
have a ratchet effect on the others who will have to do likewise to stay
competitive.   I think it would be very short sighted to deny the new league a
bid.   How else are we going to eventually get to 16 teams in the NC$$'s?
 
        Also,  btw,  let's not be too dismissive of the schools' sporting
reputations.   I know that UConn is one of the schools talking about joining.
 Consider that BOTH UConn's men's and women's hoop teams outdrew EVERY college
hockey team this last season.   Both had more national TV exposure than any
college hockey team too.   So let's not get too carried away from the
isolation of our own cocoons.
 
        -- Dick Tuthill
 
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