(08-15-2014 09:51 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(08-13-2014 06:58 PM)NoDak Wrote:  The NCHC wants two teams for expansion, not one.

Where've you seen this? I'd be for it, so long as it's a Big 12 type member.

I'm surprised the WCHA is interested in expansion, as they're kind of considered by people to be a conference of in-transition programs. Unless they can pull in some possible potential big name like an Arizona St, for example,
how would it be in their interest?

The WCHA has a problem having two Alaska schools. Previously, the WCHA and the CCHA had only one Alaska school, so at most there was only one trip to Alaska per conference team. Now, visiting teams to Alaska might spent a week there so they play consecutive series there, or they make two trips. The NCAA travel allowance gives a team the right to play extra games for one trip, but not two. If the WCHA can add two teams on the west coast, they can form a western division and the numbers work out that so that eastern teams only have to go to Alaska once a year. That makes everyone happy. Its not that expensive to fly from Vancouver to Alaska.

Arizona St would probably have interest in the WCHA if they start hockey just for scheduling. The NCHC wouldn't want a new team that is so inexerienced, but after a few years, Arizona St and the NCHC would have mutual interest. Penn State didn't get the Big Ten going until after one year at DI. Even then they struggled, which is to be expected.

Hockey leagues like to add two at a time, because non-conference hockey series are difficult to schedule late in the season and an odd number leaves at least one team out. The conference normally makes its money at conference tournament times, and having an odd number leaves money on the table.

(08-14-2014 03:36 PM)Rube Dali Wrote:  If Arizona State wants to start hockey, and I have no reason to doubt their motives, wouldn't it in their best interests to wait until a few more teams popup out west?

If every school out west that might think about it decides to wait until two or three other schools out west start up programs ... that'd be a recipe for everyone waiting on everyone else.

(08-16-2014 01:29 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-13-2014 06:58 PM)NoDak Wrote:  The NCHC wants two teams for expansion, not one.

The WCHA has a problem having two Alaska schools. Previously, the WCHA and the CCHA had only one Alaska school, so at most there was only one trip to Alaska per conference team. Now, visiting teams to Alaska might spent a week there so they play consecutive series there, or they make two trips. The NCAA travel allowance gives a team the right to play extra games for one trip, but not two. If the WCHA can add two teams on the west coast, they can form a western division and the numbers work out that so that eastern teams only have to go to Alaska once a year. That makes everyone happy. Its not that expensive to fly from Vancouver to Alaska.

Arizona St would probably have interest in the WCHA if they start hockey just for scheduling. The NCHC wouldn't want a new team that is so inexerienced, but after a few years, Arizona St and the NCHC would have mutual interest. Penn State didn't get the Big Ten going until after one year at DI. Even then they struggled, which is to be expected.

Hockey leagues like to add two at a time, because non-conference hockey series are difficult to schedule late in the season and an odd number leaves at least one team out. The conference normally makes its money at conference tournament times, and having an odd number leaves money on the table.

Makes sense. I'm just wondering if the NCHC has come out and actually said it wants to expand, which would be great if it can get some strong teams to solidify its want of being an SEC-ish of hockey conference. Have they come out and said they want to expand?

And now that I've done some more thinking about it, we're in a brand new era of college hockey, at least in regards to the old WCHA and CCHA. These new conferences should be willing to take gambles if they want to establish themselves as competitive and dominant. The Big 10 did it with Penn St. Pulling in Arizona St may be worth a gamble. Although I'd still try to grab a Big 12 team first.

(08-16-2014 08:16 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  Makes sense. I'm just wondering if the NCHC has come out and actually said it wants to expand, which would be great if it can get some strong teams to solidify its want of being an SEC-ish of hockey conference. Have they come out and said they want to expand?

And now that I've done some more thinking about it, we're in a brand new era of college hockey, at least in regards to the old WCHA and CCHA. These new conferences should be willing to take gambles if they want to establish themselves as competitive and dominant. The Big 10 did it with Penn St. Pulling in Arizona St may be worth a gamble. Although I'd still try to grab a Big 12 team first.

The NCHC commissioner has never explicitly said they are open to expansion, but he has said that the NCHC wants the college game to grow. When Notre Dame went to Hockey East, there weren't any programs of value to CBS Sports Network to include beyond WMU and St Cloud St. CBS will be calling the shots on expansion, and they will definitely be in favor if any P5 school wants to come aboard.

If the NCHC adds an Arizona St and a Utah, I think Miami and WMU begin to look to starting another league with Bowling Green, UAH, maybe Buffalo, Ferris State, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris etc. San Diego St and Boise St would not stay in the American for only football, but much more money was available to SDSU and Boise St. The WCHA and NCHC are both inherently unstable, as the MAC schools don't want conferences that extend into the Mountain or Pacific time zones and beyond. The WCHA Commissioner, without naming schools, essentially said there would be another realignment coming in college hockey.

Schools that could go DI in hockey in the west:

Arizona St
Simon Fraser (finishing DII transition, have a goal of being the first DI hockey school in Canada)
Lindenwood (also finishing DII transition, have an option to buy a 8000 seat arena in St Charles Mo)
Minot State (ND) (also finishing NAIA to DII transition, top rated ACHA club team, city is swimming in oil money)
Eastern Washington (have a rink on campus for practice, could play varsity hockey in Spokane)

Iowa St and Utah are examples of schools that could go.

The NCHC could be a conference that benefits by going to divisional play:

West - Arizona State*, Utah*, Denver, Colorado College, Omaha, North Dakota

East - Miami (OH), Western Michigan, Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, Iowa State*, Lindenwood*

(08-18-2014 11:48 AM)chargeradio Wrote:  The NCHC could be a conference that benefits by going to divisional play:

West - Arizona State*, Utah*, Denver, Colorado College, Omaha, North Dakota

East - Miami (OH), Western Michigan, Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, Iowa State*, Lindenwood*

Good idea! A school that is afraid to leave its state's region doesn't belong in D1 athletics. Breaking it into divisions does help the schools out though.
I really don't see WMU and Miami bolting from the NCHC if it expands more west. The two schools made their decision, after weighing it out, and want to grow their programs competing in a Conference they think will provide the best opportunity to do that. They both realize the flaws in competing in the MAC and are jumping to join a Conference that could include such big names like Arizona St, Utah, Boise St, and already proven D1 teams in the Conference. The reality is Ferris St had higher travel expenses competing in the WCHA then WMU did in the NCHC.

The magazine Let's Play Hockey, is reporting that a lead donor has been found to sponsor Arizona State in NCAA varsity hockey. They would reportedly begin play in 2016 in Wells Fargo Arena.

Arizona State and the donor say the report is inaccurate, but there isn't an absolute denial.


http://www.houseofsparky.com/2014/11/7/7...-ncaa-move

The NCHC would certainly take them, but it would want two teams for expansion (Utah, Colorado, Iowa St, Simon Fraser ?)

(08-08-2014 08:37 PM)Dr. Isaly von Yinzer Wrote:  I think the consensus has always been that the Coyote's biggest problem has been the location of their rink. Apparently they built it in Glendale, which is on the far extreme of their market. At least, that is what my Phoenix-based hockey fan friend constantly tells me.

BTW, for my money AZ has one of the best non-original six team sweaters in the NHL. That is a very sharp look.

I believe you when you say you have a friend here because what you are saying is correct. Glendale is fine for the football stadium because football fans for the Cardinals will travel. The Phoenix Metro area is very spread out. Hockey here is popular, not because of the Arizona natives, it is due to all the folks that move here. There is a very large contingent of Canadians that live in the Phoenix area for part of the year. There are hockey fans from many areas of the Northern portions of this country. I could see how the trickle down affect could help ASU hockey get fans to come. College hockey is a huge deal in the North and seen as more of a pure sport than pro hockey.

It seems very unnatural at first look for ASU to have a strong hockey team but once someone looks deeper into the very complicated demographics of Phoenix then it can make some sense. It still surprises me but not to the point of disbelief.

Don't forget Title IX. For every male scholly, there has to be a female scholly. This is why the NCAA has female, and not male, bowling, to get balance.

Furthermore, I think NCAA allows only 18 schollys for hockey, although these can be separated up into halves, to fill out a 26+ player roster.

No lack of players, as Canadians and Europeans will jump at the opportunity. There is a growing number from Southern California. For example, in the United States Premier Hockey League (under 20) the Rochester Junior Americans have a couple of players from LA who are ready for college level.

(08-11-2014 11:04 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 08:40 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 04:41 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 12:59 AM)sctvman Wrote:  There needs to be more hockey for southern schools. South Carolina would also do well with a team (they have 18,000 seat arena) but they vetoed even minor league baseball from their area.

Finding a league to take southern schools is difficult. Almost need four or more to move up at once. Bowling Green and UA-Huntsville would probably be interested, as they have to travel to Alaska, Minnesota, and upper Michigan.

Dark horse southern candidates:

Kentucky - should a renovation of Rupp Arena ever get approved, a hockey team would be a way to increase the number of event dates. The men's ACHA team averages nearly 600 fans per game in an off-campus facility with games starting around Midnight.

Texas - As the Longhorns are forced to feed the network pig, hockey would gain instant exposure as the only program in the state of Texas.

Alabama - currently has a club team playing off campus in Hoover. The Tide would need a huge influx of capital to renovate Coleman Coliseum (again) for hockey, and juggling dates with both Gymnastics and Men's basketball may be an issue from January-March. UAH would be an instant rival. The Tide have a rather small athletic program in terms of number of sports, so the additional women's sport doesn't necessarily have to be ice hockey.

Florida State - The Leon County Civic Center previously hosted a minor league hockey team, which coincidentally played the 2002-03 season as the Lexington Men O' War in Rupp Arena. FSU would be the only program in Florida.

Georgia Tech - with the NHL out of the way in Atlanta, this could be another school who could carve out a niche. GT could actually get away with adding only a men's team, as it is one of the few schools with a majority male enrollment. This could also be an add-on the next time the on-campus arena is renovated or replaced.

If Ga Tech or FSU ever started hockey, Notre Dame and BC would get them in Hockey East or start an ACC league with Syracuse, Pitt, and maybe Louisville. When an ACC Network gets off the ground, it could actually make sense. Ga Tech could play in the smaller Gwinent County arena, where there are actual hockey fans.

Miami and W Mich would lobby for Kentucky, but they could split off from the NCHC if another school like Buffalo starts hockey and restart a CCHA.

You can't be serious. First of all, the Hockey East schools love, repeat LOVE, their current set-up in the Northeast. There is no way there are going to introduce GA Tech and Florida State into that for: 1) travel reasons; and 2) resource reasons (for a number of the smaller NE schools). And ND doesn't have pull over them to make them vote a particular way (the power is in Boston).

And I am quite positive that BC/ND don't want to play hockey in a ACC league. I can see the appeal of a potential team at Syracuse, but otherwise there is no 'there there.'

(08-09-2014 12:08 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 11:14 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 10:57 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 10:47 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  I'd like to see how this plays out as I love going to ECU Club Hockey games. Our major issues in moving up would be a regulation ice rink in Greenville. Especially considering Arizona State and ECU would be "out of market" like teams for D1 hockey.

ECU would probably need to partner with Liberty or Navy or Delaware and get an invite to Atlantic Hockey. Liberty and Navy have DI rinks right now.

ECU plays in the ACHA.
--our site http://www.ecuicehockey.com/

The thing is, to even remotely do this at the D1 level, it would require ECU and/or the city of Greenville to invest in a regulation ice rink. The company that has a ice rink, Bladez on Ice, does not have a regulation size rink for ice hockey. In some cases this hurts the team's scheduling of games here in Greenville and in some cases forces them to play in Raleigh which is 70m away.

Not sure how Title IX would effect us or Arizona State.... but I wouldn't be opposed to Beach Volleyball for the ladies!

The only schools that are in the position to add hockey are P5 schools or low DI schools that have no intention of starting football. Most AD's see hockey rinks as a drain on fundraising for football.

While I generally agree, it is worth nothing that UConn is (currently) outside the P5 and has its program up and running in Hockey East this year, with a new facility on the way (currently playing in a renovated Hartford Civic Center). So it is possible...but certainly expensive.

(11-14-2014 10:10 AM)uconnwhaler Wrote:  

(08-09-2014 12:08 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 11:14 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 10:57 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 10:47 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  I'd like to see how this plays out as I love going to ECU Club Hockey games. Our major issues in moving up would be a regulation ice rink in Greenville. Especially considering Arizona State and ECU would be "out of market" like teams for D1 hockey.

ECU would probably need to partner with Liberty or Navy or Delaware and get an invite to Atlantic Hockey. Liberty and Navy have DI rinks right now.

ECU plays in the ACHA.
--our site http://www.ecuicehockey.com/

The thing is, to even remotely do this at the D1 level, it would require ECU and/or the city of Greenville to invest in a regulation ice rink. The company that has a ice rink, Bladez on Ice, does not have a regulation size rink for ice hockey. In some cases this hurts the team's scheduling of games here in Greenville and in some cases forces them to play in Raleigh which is 70m away.

Not sure how Title IX would effect us or Arizona State.... but I wouldn't be opposed to Beach Volleyball for the ladies!

The only schools that are in the position to add hockey are P5 schools or low DI schools that have no intention of starting football. Most AD's see hockey rinks as a drain on fundraising for football.

While I generally agree, it is worth nothing that UConn is (currently) outside the P5 and has its program up and running in Hockey East this year, with a new facility on the way (currently playing in a renovated Hartford Civic Center). So it is possible...but certainly expensive.

UCONN already had essentially a no scholarship program, which nearly as expensive as a full-scholarship one. By playing in the Civic Center, they'll probably better off financially with scholarships and in the Hockey East. Most schools considering hockey have to build at least a rink on campus. UConn didn't have to spend anything on facilities to "move up".

(11-14-2014 11:31 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(11-14-2014 10:10 AM)uconnwhaler Wrote:  

(08-09-2014 12:08 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 11:14 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 10:57 PM)NoDak Wrote:  ECU would probably need to partner with Liberty or Navy or Delaware and get an invite to Atlantic Hockey. Liberty and Navy have DI rinks right now.

ECU plays in the ACHA.
--our site http://www.ecuicehockey.com/

The thing is, to even remotely do this at the D1 level, it would require ECU and/or the city of Greenville to invest in a regulation ice rink. The company that has a ice rink, Bladez on Ice, does not have a regulation size rink for ice hockey. In some cases this hurts the team's scheduling of games here in Greenville and in some cases forces them to play in Raleigh which is 70m away.

Not sure how Title IX would effect us or Arizona State.... but I wouldn't be opposed to Beach Volleyball for the ladies!

The only schools that are in the position to add hockey are P5 schools or low DI schools that have no intention of starting football. Most AD's see hockey rinks as a drain on fundraising for football.

While I generally agree, it is worth nothing that UConn is (currently) outside the P5 and has its program up and running in Hockey East this year, with a new facility on the way (currently playing in a renovated Hartford Civic Center). So it is possible...but certainly expensive.

UCONN already had essentially a no scholarship program, which nearly as expensive as a full-scholarship one. By playing in the Civic Center, they'll probably better off financially with scholarships and in the Hockey East. Most schools considering hockey have to build at least a rink on campus. UConn didn't have to spend anything on facilities to "move up".

We definitely have to spend the money. For one thing, we have to add about 36 scholarships (18 for the men's team, and then another offsetting 18 women's scholarships). But more importantly, we are required to build an on-campus rink (right now it looks like it will be a 4500-5500 seater).

(11-14-2014 10:08 AM)uconnwhaler Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 11:04 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 08:40 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 04:41 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-11-2014 12:59 AM)sctvman Wrote:  There needs to be more hockey for southern schools. South Carolina would also do well with a team (they have 18,000 seat arena) but they vetoed even minor league baseball from their area.

Finding a league to take southern schools is difficult. Almost need four or more to move up at once. Bowling Green and UA-Huntsville would probably be interested, as they have to travel to Alaska, Minnesota, and upper Michigan.

Dark horse southern candidates:

Kentucky - should a renovation of Rupp Arena ever get approved, a hockey team would be a way to increase the number of event dates. The men's ACHA team averages nearly 600 fans per game in an off-campus facility with games starting around Midnight.

Texas - As the Longhorns are forced to feed the network pig, hockey would gain instant exposure as the only program in the state of Texas.

Alabama - currently has a club team playing off campus in Hoover. The Tide would need a huge influx of capital to renovate Coleman Coliseum (again) for hockey, and juggling dates with both Gymnastics and Men's basketball may be an issue from January-March. UAH would be an instant rival. The Tide have a rather small athletic program in terms of number of sports, so the additional women's sport doesn't necessarily have to be ice hockey.

Florida State - The Leon County Civic Center previously hosted a minor league hockey team, which coincidentally played the 2002-03 season as the Lexington Men O' War in Rupp Arena. FSU would be the only program in Florida.

Georgia Tech - with the NHL out of the way in Atlanta, this could be another school who could carve out a niche. GT could actually get away with adding only a men's team, as it is one of the few schools with a majority male enrollment. This could also be an add-on the next time the on-campus arena is renovated or replaced.

If Ga Tech or FSU ever started hockey, Notre Dame and BC would get them in Hockey East or start an ACC league with Syracuse, Pitt, and maybe Louisville. When an ACC Network gets off the ground, it could actually make sense. Ga Tech could play in the smaller Gwinent County arena, where there are actual hockey fans.

Miami and W Mich would lobby for Kentucky, but they could split off from the NCHC if another school like Buffalo starts hockey and restart a CCHA.

You can't be serious. First of all, the Hockey East schools love, repeat LOVE, their current set-up in the Northeast. There is no way there are going to introduce GA Tech and Florida State into that for: 1) travel reasons; and 2) resource reasons (for a number of the smaller NE schools). And ND doesn't have pull over them to make them vote a particular way (the power is in Boston).

And I am quite positive that BC/ND don't want to play hockey in a ACC league. I can see the appeal of a potential team at Syracuse, but otherwise there is no 'there there.'

Minnesota and Wisconsin fans loved the WCHA and Mich and Mich St loved the CCHA, but money talks with cable networks and breaks former bonds. The same could happen with ACC teams if Pitt and Syracuse and others get in the hockey game.

(11-14-2014 11:36 AM)uconnwhaler Wrote:  

(11-14-2014 11:31 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(11-14-2014 10:10 AM)uconnwhaler Wrote:  

(08-09-2014 12:08 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-08-2014 11:14 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  ECU plays in the ACHA.
--our site http://www.ecuicehockey.com/

The thing is, to even remotely do this at the D1 level, it would require ECU and/or the city of Greenville to invest in a regulation ice rink. The company that has a ice rink, Bladez on Ice, does not have a regulation size rink for ice hockey. In some cases this hurts the team's scheduling of games here in Greenville and in some cases forces them to play in Raleigh which is 70m away.

Not sure how Title IX would effect us or Arizona State.... but I wouldn't be opposed to Beach Volleyball for the ladies!

The only schools that are in the position to add hockey are P5 schools or low DI schools that have no intention of starting football. Most AD's see hockey rinks as a drain on fundraising for football.

While I generally agree, it is worth nothing that UConn is (currently) outside the P5 and has its program up and running in Hockey East this year, with a new facility on the way (currently playing in a renovated Hartford Civic Center). So it is possible...but certainly expensive.

UCONN already had essentially a no scholarship program, which nearly as expensive as a full-scholarship one. By playing in the Civic Center, they'll probably better off financially with scholarships and in the Hockey East. Most schools considering hockey have to build at least a rink on campus. UConn didn't have to spend anything on facilities to "move up".

We definitely have to spend the money. For one thing, we have to add about 36 scholarships (18 for the men's team, and then another offsetting 18 women's scholarships). But more importantly, we are required to build an on-campus rink (right now it looks like it will be a 4500-5500 seater).

You could play in Harford indefinitely as you have a practice rink on campus. Unless Hockey East made a new rink as a condition of acceptance.

UConn women's team was giving out much more scholarships then the men prior this past season. UConn probably had to offer more schollies in other sports to offset men's hockey.

(11-14-2014 09:10 AM)QuestionSocratic Wrote:  Don't forget Title IX. For every male scholly, there has to be a female scholly. This is why the NCAA has female, and not male, bowling, to get balance.

Furthermore, I think NCAA allows only 18 schollys for hockey, although these can be separated up into halves, to fill out a 26+ player roster.

No lack of players, as Canadians and Europeans will jump at the opportunity. There is a growing number from Southern California. For example, in the United States Premier Hockey League (under 20) the Rochester Junior Americans have a couple of players from LA who are ready for college level.

California could fill out one top notch squad with its own players, it not two. Where ever the NHL has established themselves in the south and west, youth developments leagues follow.

North Dakota has recruited a number of Californians and metro areas like St Louis, Raleigh, Dallas, Atlanta and Denver and some of them have gone on to the NHL. Youth teams from southern NHL cities often fly north to get good competition.

I think Arizona State would have a hugely successful program, both attracting recruits and fans from Arizona, northern transplants and smowbirds. Tickets are so much cheaper than the NHL and Tempe is much more accessible than Glendale .

UConn upgrading men's hockey to full schollie and jumping to Hockey East will prove very fruitful for them in the long-run. It makes them more attractive to the Big Ten if that's the ticket UConn is looking for. But I think the Big Ten is going to let the last 3 additions settle in for a bit before considering further expansion. UConn needs to get the football at least to Rutgers/Maryland level and with a better stadium situation. The Rent is fine, treatment of visiting fans notwithstanding, but probably needs another 10K seats added for the Big Ten's tastes. (Rutgers at 52.5K and Maryland at 52K are towards the low end of stadium size in the Big Ten.) There also needs to be a western or southern partner to go with UConn if they start looking in that direction. If Nebraska start hockey as many seem to expect it will make a UConn invite much more attractive for both sides.

(11-14-2014 11:41 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(11-14-2014 11:36 AM)uconnwhaler Wrote:  

(11-14-2014 11:31 AM)NoDak Wrote:  

(11-14-2014 10:10 AM)uconnwhaler Wrote:  

(08-09-2014 12:08 AM)NoDak Wrote:  The only schools that are in the position to add hockey are P5 schools or low DI schools that have no intention of starting football. Most AD's see hockey rinks as a drain on fundraising for football.

While I generally agree, it is worth nothing that UConn is (currently) outside the P5 and has its program up and running in Hockey East this year, with a new facility on the way (currently playing in a renovated Hartford Civic Center). So it is possible...but certainly expensive.

UCONN already had essentially a no scholarship program, which nearly as expensive as a full-scholarship one. By playing in the Civic Center, they'll probably better off financially with scholarships and in the Hockey East. Most schools considering hockey have to build at least a rink on campus. UConn didn't have to spend anything on facilities to "move up".

We definitely have to spend the money. For one thing, we have to add about 36 scholarships (18 for the men's team, and then another offsetting 18 women's scholarships). But more importantly, we are required to build an on-campus rink (right now it looks like it will be a 4500-5500 seater).

You could play in Harford indefinitely as you have a practice rink on campus. Unless Hockey East made a new rink as a condition of acceptance.

UConn women's team was giving out much more scholarships then the men prior this past season. UConn probably had to offer more schollies in other sports to offset men's hockey.

My understanding is that a new rink was a requirement to admission. From the article announcing our entrance into Hockey East, the commissioner said that "UConn assured the league that it has plans to renovate or replace Freitas Ice Forum in the coming years."

John Buccigross ‏@Buccigross · 6m6 minutes ago
Sources confirm Arizona St will become 60h D1 hockey team. Transition starts next year. Full season in 2016-17. Big fish donates 32 million

(11-18-2014 03:08 PM)Love and Honor Wrote:  John Buccigross ‏@Buccigross · 6m6 minutes ago
Sources confirm Arizona St will become 60h D1 hockey team. Transition starts next year. Full season in 2016-17. Big fish donates 32 million

http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/a...ram-111814

No word yet on a conference (NCHC or WCHA) or where they will play (Wells Fargo, Oceanside, Sun's arena).

Perhaps another PAC12 school will take the plunge.