The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Hockey - I assume it's likely there are ongoing debates within WMU about whether to move to CCHA 2.0 or not, perhaps along with some back channel conversations with Miami.

A move would anger die hards who fill much of Lawson on weekends. Although most casual fans don't know (nor care) about the difference between Ferris and Denver.

Basketball- I know scheduling is harder than it looks. But there are over 300 Div I programs out there. Might be worthwhile for all regional mid-majors to band together for scheduling. We don't necessarily need to fly to Ole Miss when about a dozen options are located across Illinois-Indiana.

Football - The department made some very fan-friendly home and homes lately for future years, with Cincy, Pitt, Marshall, and San Jose State. Not sure if WMU will try to negotiate out of any of those (especially the west coast SJ trip). But wouldn't surprise me if we reverted to a 1 home FCS + 3 rough 'payday' road games per year plan. NIU's been doing that for a while to fund their coffers, I believe.

(05-29-2020 09:22 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Hockey - I assume it's likely there are ongoing debates within WMU about whether to move to CCHA 2.0 or not, perhaps along with some back channel conversations with Miami.

A move would anger die hards who fill much of Lawson on weekends. Although most casual fans don't know (nor care) about the difference between Ferris and Denver.

Basketball- I know scheduling is harder than it looks. But there are over 300 Div I programs out there. Might be worthwhile for all regional mid-majors to band together for scheduling. We don't necessarily need to fly to Ole Miss when about a dozen options are located across Illinois-Indiana.

Football - The department made some very fan-friendly home and homes lately for future years, with Cincy, Pitt, Marshall, and San Jose State. Not sure if WMU will try to negotiate out of any of those (especially the west coast SJ trip). But wouldn't surprise me if we reverted to a 1 home FCS + 3 rough 'payday' road games per year plan. NIU's been doing that for a while to fund their coffers, I believe.

Good analysis. :)

(05-28-2020 10:17 AM)CorkNCleaverAlum Wrote:  Sounds predetermined that we're leaving the NCHC. More mediocrity and accepting our rightful place at the back of the line. Honestly, if we can't afford to compete, we should look hard at getting rid of the one sport that takes the lions share of the resources, football. Focus on where we can afford to compete. Many other colleges do that successfully and are very proud of their athletic program.

These are tough times, time for tough choices.

We were far from mediocre prior to entering the NCHC. In fact, we were a very solid program, competing at a very high level. The old ccha was an excellent conference. The NCHC has hurt WMU as a program, even if nobody wants to admit it.

Hockey isn't like other sports. There are only 60 D1 teams, and on a given day the best can lose to the worst. Conference affiliation should be based more on logistics, budgets, and common sense. Schools in Minnesota and North Dakota areas of the United States are going to have some advantages, based, not on the conference they are in, but because hockey is huge in those areas. Minnesota state has built a great program, and have not been hampered at all by being in the current WCHA. In fact, the WCHA has served as a vehicle to catapult their program. Other schools have resurrected their once down hockey programs since the the latest version of the WCHA.

People around here think it is sexy to be in the nchc. I have never cared much about rooting for a conference, particularly in hockey, but rather root for WMU. And it is far more important for WMU to be successful then schools in the conference. Western has not been successful as a general rule in the nchc. on average we have been mediocre at best, and closer to a bottom-feeder than a contender most years. This was, unfortunately, predictable.

(05-30-2020 03:58 PM)brovol Wrote:  

(05-28-2020 10:17 AM)CorkNCleaverAlum Wrote:  Sounds predetermined that we're leaving the NCHC. More mediocrity and accepting our rightful place at the back of the line. Honestly, if we can't afford to compete, we should look hard at getting rid of the one sport that takes the lions share of the resources, football. Focus on where we can afford to compete. Many other colleges do that successfully and are very proud of their athletic program.

These are tough times, time for tough choices.

We were far from mediocre prior to entering the NCHC. In fact, we were a very solid program, competing at a very high level. The old ccha was an excellent conference. The NCHC has hurt WMU as a program, even if nobody wants to admit it.

Hockey isn't like other sports. There are only 60 D1 teams, and on a given day the best can lose to the worst. Conference affiliation should be based more on logistics, budgets, and common sense. Schools in Minnesota and North Dakota areas of the United States are going to have some advantages, based, not on the conference they're in, but because hockey is huge in those areas. Minnesota state has built a great program, and have not been hampered at all by being in the current WCHA. In fact, the WCHA has served as a vehicle to catapult their program. Other schools have resurrected there once down hockey programs since the the latest version of the WCHA.

People around here think it is sexy to be in the nchc. I have never cared much about rooting for a conference, particularly in hockey, but rather root for WMU. And it is far more important for WMU to be successful then schools in the conference. Western has not been successful as a general rule in the nchc. on average we have been mediocre at best, and closer to a bottom-feeder than a contender most years. This was, unfortunately, predictable.

Thanks for sharing your opinion Judge Jeanine, day drinking again I see?

Seriously dude, you have got to know how pathetic and disturbed you are. I will say another prayer for your soul. God bless.

(05-28-2020 10:49 AM)CorkNCleaverAlum Wrote:  

(05-28-2020 10:18 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  Sounds like the school's handling it well, TBH.

I have no problem w/ trimming some of the fat.

Plus Our MAC brethren will no doubt be doing the same.

I wonder how many are looking hard at cancelling football?

I agree with you on this. It’s a money pit of a sport. What’s the return? Once in a lifetime you get to go to the Cotton Bowl and lose? And not even that, if you’re an EMU alum like me.

It’s impossible to win a national championship. What’s the point? Do you all think Oakland University or Detroit Mercy suffer as institutions because they don’t have football?

(05-30-2020 03:58 PM)brovol Wrote:  

(05-28-2020 10:17 AM)CorkNCleaverAlum Wrote:  Sounds predetermined that we're leaving the NCHC. More mediocrity and accepting our rightful place at the back of the line. Honestly, if we can't afford to compete, we should look hard at getting rid of the one sport that takes the lions share of the resources, football. Focus on where we can afford to compete. Many other colleges do that successfully and are very proud of their athletic program.

These are tough times, time for tough choices.

We were far from mediocre prior to entering the NCHC. In fact, we were a very solid program, competing at a very high level. The old ccha was an excellent conference. The NCHC has hurt WMU as a program, even if nobody wants to admit it.

Hockey isn't like other sports. There are only 60 D1 teams, and on a given day the best can lose to the worst. Conference affiliation should be based more on logistics, budgets, and common sense. Schools in Minnesota and North Dakota areas of the United States are going to have some advantages, based, not on the conference they are in, but because hockey is huge in those areas. Minnesota state has built a great program, and have not been hampered at all by being in the current WCHA. In fact, the WCHA has served as a vehicle to catapult their program. Other schools have resurrected their once down hockey programs since the the latest version of the WCHA.

People around here think it is sexy to be in the nchc. I have never cared much about rooting for a conference, particularly in hockey, but rather root for WMU. And it is far more important for WMU to be successful then schools in the conference. Western has not been successful as a general rule in the nchc. on average we have been mediocre at best, and closer to a bottom-feeder than a contender most years. This was, unfortunately, predictable.

Couple years ago I would've been arguing w/ you. Now I think you might be right.

My biggest concern was these schools wouldn't be able to survive in their new conference & would have to cut the sport & that'd lead to the death of WMU hockey if we were in the conference. However, as you've stated, once down programs are now thriving. Seems like they all have had a year at least of being a force in the WCHA & nationally, not just Minnesota St but Bowling Green St as well especially comes to mind.

I do think however we've competed fine in the NCHC outside of a couple dud years. Just not sure if 'fine' is acceptable.

Drop Hockey.

Bring back men’s track and field and Fleck fund basketball.