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Wasn't the rationale behind killing UAH hockey that it couldn't work in the South, that it just wasn't financially feasible?

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/...cart_river

So goes the excuse given but it was more about something else as we all know. Since UAT is moving up, I assume all the other $EC teams will be as well

I believe they play in Pelham.

And I'm sure UAH won't be welcomed as a hockey only member of the SEC, either.

I hope UAH fights like hell to keep UA out of their conference if the SEC doesn't sponsor hockey.

Now would be a great time for UAH to join in on our quest.

(02-16-2015 10:25 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  And I'm sure UAH won't be welcomed as a hockey only member of the SEC, either.

I hope UAH fights like hell to keep UA out of their conference if the SEC doesn't sponsor hockey.

UA has their sights set on the big 10 for hockey along with building an ice arena in Tuscaloosa.

And they are in an arms race with Auburn on seeing who can get established first. Still think that UAH was ended to assist Alabama's start up.

The UA system already has a hockey team. The UA system doesn't need two hockey teams.

(02-16-2015 11:06 PM)Smaug Wrote:  The UA system already has a hockey team. The UA system doesn't need two hockey teams.

What's good for the goose...

The $EC will one day sponsor hockey. No need for the big 10 conference. But don't expect Huntsville to have a seat at the table.

No need for UAH to join SEC hockey conference. The WCHA is one of the premier college hockey conferences. The #1 (Minnesota State) and #5 (Michigan Tech) ranked teams in D1 college hockey are in the WCHA and the WCHA has an HD streaming PPV broadcast subscription that brings significant revenue to UAH hockey. Mediocre SEC hockey would be a MAJOR let down for UAH after being a member of the WCHA.

Guys, they are moving up in ACHA 'Club' hockey, not in NCAA.

Give it time.

I enjoyed my first ever UAH Hockey game a month or so ago. Like hell Hockey can't work in the South, Nashville is one of the most fervent cities for hockey anywhere, the passion and history of thr sport there is as solid and storied as anywhere in Canada, and Huntsville has 2 hockey teams! Damn! I wish Birmingham had just one!😀

With NHL franchises in Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee, sure looks like its working out fine in this region of the U.S.

(02-17-2015 11:39 AM)Matrix Wrote:  I enjoyed my first ever UAH Hockey game a month or so ago. Like hell Hockey can't work in the South, Nashville is one of the most fervent cities for hockey anywhere, the passion and history of thr sport there is as solid and storied as anywhere in Canada, and Huntsville has 2 hockey teams! Damn! I wish Birmingham had just one!?

I went to all of the old Bulls games. Bham did well in the old WHA before it was absorbed into the NHL. Gretzky played here several times. He was practically a kid then. 18,000 screaming fans in BJCC was someting else. Like Nashville, NHL would have worked here too. Love hockey.... Played it in Michigan.

It's a fast sport. Makes other sports look like they're in slow motion.

(02-17-2015 10:25 AM)pbt140 Wrote:  Guys, they are moving up in ACHA 'Club' hockey, not in NCAA.

Did you read the article?

The Birmingham News Wrote:The move up the ladder means that Alabama will be playing several NCAA hockey Division 1 teams next season, and is eager to continue its own growth into a NCAA program.

"We will be attracting more and more players from different levels of hockey than we have in the past," senior captain Clay Link said. "It's exciting to see the growth of the program in my four years here, and it makes me wonder where this team can be four years from now."

According to manager David Noble, the Alabama team already enjoys attendance numbers similar to many NCAA Division 1 programs. It also boasts increasingly improving facilities.

Head coach Mike Quenneville said that the move up to Division 1 is vital to the natural growth of the the program--and is something that Alabama fans demand.

"Head coach Mike Quenneville said that the move up to Division 1 is vital to the natural growth of the the program--and is something that Alabama fans demand."

By all means..... THEIR demands MUST be met!!!

Give me a break. Meanwhile back at UAB....

Some Alabama cities are seeing a lot of hockey lovers moving into their metro areas. In those cities, like Huntsville, the sport has come to life. Many or most of these new citizens are coming in with already established companies and jobs and can afford the cost of supporting a sport they loved at their former homes. They may also be joined by local fans who are drawn to an athletic sport they can buy tickets to watch on their family budget. It could be that the B'ham Bulls were simply too far ahead of the times, and would be more successful in this era than in the past..

(02-16-2015 11:39 PM)BandGrad Wrote:  The $EC will one day sponsor hockey. No need for the big 10 conference. But don't expect Huntsville to have a seat at the table.

The NCAA dropped synchronized swimming because not enough member schools set up teams. That decision led to UAB forming bowling and sand volleyball teams. How many SEC schools would have to set up teams for the SEC to add it to their list of league sports? How substantial are the equipment costs for such a program (in case UAB might want to look in that direction)?

In terms of the ice rink, what is the functional status of the equipment at the BJCC Arena or at the old Alpine Lodge location on Oxmoor? Both may have been scrapped long ago.