Hey guys,
Just wanted to get the word out about the VU hockey team that will begin having games in the fall. All supporters are welcome to visit our FB page (Facebook.com/ValpoHockey) for ticket information, purchasing jersey and T-shirt information, team updates, and a general area to discuss the team with other fans. We will have a team website up shortly, be patient with us. We hope to see you all at the rink this fall.
Thanks.
That's pretty cool, where will the club team play? Also, what schools will you be playing each year?
The University is designing a rink at the current moment, until that is finished with, the team will be playing in South Bend. The team will be competing in the ICHC which began play this year which features Purdue, IU, and Ball State. Other teams that Valpo will be playing include the University of Iowa, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Northern Illinois, Holy Cross, Augustana, to name a few. Scheduling will vary year to year.
This is some sort of joke. Where will they play if the weather is above freezing?? :lol:
Quote from: vu72 on January 21, 2015, 06:50:11 AM
This is some sort of joke. Where will they play if the weather is above freezing?? :lol:
A quick Google search tells me Valpo's high school hockey plays at an indoor rink in South Bend. That might be your answer. (Edit: Valpo_Hockey already said this.)
Valpo_Hockey:
If this is serious--and if it happens--let us know. I'll be first in line for a jersey.
This is actually pretty cool. When would the rink be finished and where would it be located?
Valpo actually had a club team that shut down in 2006. Brett Calland was the faculty advisor for the team (don't know if he's still around). The problem always will be the lack of rink in the area. Traveling 45min-1hr for practices is rough for many students, and since freshman can't have cars, this eliminates a chunk of potential players.
I'll believe the rink when I see it. It took us 25 years to get a track laid down. But maybe that's the $2 million "gymnasium project" we saw online a couple weeks ago :p
I guess these sites are for real, but wouldn't we have heard something if VU or a local group, to which we might have access, was going to build or even in the process of designing an ice rink?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Collegiate_Hockey_Conference (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Collegiate_Hockey_Conference)
https://www.facebook.com/ICHCHockey?ref=stream (https://www.facebook.com/ICHCHockey?ref=stream)
Mock up Jersey design is posted on the FB page. This is serious. We will be in Fort Wayne Friday scouting players. And in Indy next weekend.
The rink is still early in the process. The plan currently is to place it in the hospital property acquisition.
Hockey uniforms for Valpo would be interesting. I had my hands on the old club-team jersey and it used black stripes and the old V script logo. The Bruins actually wore a brown and gold uniform for the winter classic a couple years back:
(http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Bridgestone+Winter+Classic+Philadelphia+Flyers+s2-FTLzfOL8l.jpg)
Problem with the Brown and Gold is that brown pant shells/helmets are going to be hard and more expensive, but black will pair with anything. I think just using the shield would look awesome on a hockey jersey. Gold unis with brown accents are probably a better bet than brown unis with gold accents.
Here is the Valpo high school hockey club that plays on a rink in South Bend.
(http://www.valpohockey.com/images/VHC2015.jpg)
http://www.valpohockey.com/ (http://www.valpohockey.com/)
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Ice+Box/@41.65971,-86.272233,13z/data= (https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Ice+Box/@41.65971,-86.272233,13z/data=)!4m2!3m1!1s0x88113327456f72bd:0x8382add4c3298533
I heard that Jim Gaffigan's nephew from Chesterton once played on this club because Jim actually showed up for one of the games when he was doing a show in the area.
Looks like this club plays other club teams from NW Indiana (at the Midwest Ice Center in Dyer), South Bend area (Ice Box in SB), Ft Wayne area (Canlan Ice Sports near Coliseum & Lima Rd) and Indy area (The Forum in Fishers). Most games are played in South Bend.
When I was in HS in the early 80's, the HS teams also played games at Notre Dame.
If Valpo is putting in an ice rink, I'm sure they will not have much trouble getting local teams signed up for ice time - some at very odd hours.
This is awesome! I will definitely be in line to get a jersey. Once the rink is build in Valpo I'll get season tickets for sure, but until then a weekend game or two in South Bend (quite a trek for a weeknight) will suffice.
This is exciting! But it's a club team, right? We're not talking NCAA...?
I believe that IPFW has started as hockey program that should be in full swing next year.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on January 21, 2015, 06:03:34 PM
This is exciting! But it's a club team, right? We're not talking NCAA...?
Once the arena is built the plan is to go NCAA.
In speaking with the Valpo representative in town this week, it still sounded like the hospital property is being used for a field house for many sports to share. As much as I would love to see NCAA hockey at Valpo, where does the increased athletic budget come from to support men's and women's teams? We couldn't just add men's hockey, as we would run into Title IX issues regarding scholarships and athletic opportunities for women.
Quote from: valpotx on January 22, 2015, 12:10:04 AM
In speaking with the Valpo representative in town this week, it still sounded like the hospital property is being used for a field house for many sports to share. As much as I would love to see NCAA hockey at Valpo, where does the increased athletic budget come from to support men's and women's teams? We couldn't just add men's hockey, as we would run into Title IX issues regarding scholarships and athletic opportunities for women.
So did he confirm that there will be a rink built somewhere on campus? Or even if it is being discussed? He certainly would know.
If Valpo ever want to have a lasting hockey program a rink has to be built in the city itself. Players aren't gonna want to go to Valpo for hockey if it means travelling an hour each way to every practice. The logistics of it doesn't make sense, it'll cost a lot of money either by the school for travel or from the expense of the players travelling to practice. Not to mention it takes a 12th of the day to travel which gives less time to work on their education.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a hockey program at Valpo but if there isn't a rink it won't last.
The new athletics center could very well include an ice rink inside - for example, Milwaukee School of Engineering built the Kern Center for $30 million and included a rink in the basement. It is certainly utilized by more than the university (I used to play there in high school).
I looked up where some of the other teams in that conference play; Purdue seems to play well over an hour away in Fishers, IN, which is a suburb of Indianapolis. There's definitely a lack of ice rinks in Indiana, and they don't seem to be all that profitable. Ice rinks drain money because have high insurance costs and maintenance fees. I'm surprised that the university would want to operate such thing, but if they can break even by renting it out to Valpo area kids that right now drive to South Bend for youth hockey, well, why not?
The proposed design includes 2 sheets of ice and 5k seating capacity.
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 22, 2015, 09:17:53 AM
The proposed design includes 2 sheets of ice and 5k seating capacity.
:troll:
Duneland potential hot spot for sports complexes, study says
Back To Front Page
By JEFF SCHULTZ
Areas around the Toll Rd exit and the I-94 exit on Ind. 49 were identified as optional sites to build supportable outdoor complexes in Porter County's Sports Feasibility Analysis released during Tuesday's County Board of Commissioners' meeting.
Bill Krueger, principal with Conventions, Sports and Leisure (CSL) of Minneapolis presented the findings of the study to a standing room crowd with help from members from the County Tourism Bureau and Sports Cabinet. The Commissioners hired CSL in 2013 to see what economic impact could be achieved by building sports and recreation facilities.
Sitting in on the meeting were representatives from Chesterton High School Athletics, the Porter County Parks Department, Valparaiso Parks Department, Valpo Athletics and various sports clubs.
Porter County is more fortunate than most communities with a strong population base to draw people from miles around for regional tournaments, Krueger said. It is within driving distance of Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville and Detroit.
"You are positioned very well," Krueger told the Commissioners. "Transportation access for recreational and amateur sports in Porter County is key to viability."
But the County is lacking in indoor aquatic facilities and high quality outdoor fields in one area needed to have a marketable tournament destination. The most popular outdoor activities included baseball/softball and basketball, while swimming was the most dominant indoor sport.
To determine what the market demand is for Porter County, CSL conducted interviews with representatives of sports and non-profit groups, municipal government representatives and local sports users. The facilities in the greatest need which can generate the most economic impact, according to the analysis, are a state-of-the-are natatorium and baseball/softball complex facilities.
Having an appropriate amount of acreage to assemble a facility and infrastructure, the four preliminary site locations for an outdoor complex -- featuring high quality baseball/softball fields and multipurpose soccer/football fields -- included the 177 acres in Portage north of the I-94 and Ind. 249 intersection, the 130 acres behind the Duneland Schools bus garage abutting the Toll Road, the Duneland Economic Development Commission site owned by Lake Erie Land Company on Ind. 49 and I-94 close to the Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore, and 117 acres near the headquarters of Urschel Laboratories in Coffee Creek Center.
The construction of an outdoor complex would cost about $17 million but Krueger predicts that if done right and as a public/private venture, the economic output could be $38.2 million or so, a benefit-to-cost ratio of $42.41 per County dollar spent. County officials may decide to use money from the hospital sale proceeds or other options on a pay-as-you-go basis without issuing debt, the report said.
One option to consider is a public/private partnership, where a public entity such as the County would own the venue to be leased and operated by a private entity, such as Ripken Sports Complex in Myrtle Beach, Fla. Or, the complex could be owned by a public entity and leased and operated by a sports-related non-profit organization, Krueger said.
Meanwhile, the only identifiable location for a natatorium that the study produced was Valparaiso University's "3D" site. One route for development the study suggests is to have the natatorium be operated and owned by the university, assembled and constructed by the County with the intent that the pool be open to non-university groups and users. Construction costs could be substantially funded through sponsorship opportunities.
.
A natatorium could be produced outside of the university and be open primarily to high schools, local clubs and meets. The majority of construction costs, estimated Krueger recommended the pool be Olympic sized with 10 lanes and the arena should be about 60,000 square feet, similar to the Indianapolis University Natatoriumat $18 million, would fall under a public entity with a typical annual operating deficit of approximately $400,000, Krueger said.
Commissioner President John Evans, R-North, thanked CSL for their efforts and said that County officials will examine the "wealth of information" the study provides but there is "not enough money to go around" on the County's end to fund construction of all the facilities suggested.
The Commissioners in June 2013 agreed to pay for the sports study coupled with a separate feasibility study for the Expo Center at $134,000 with County Economic Development Income Tax dollars.
A copy of the full 157-page study can be found on the Porter County Government website, www.porterco.org (http://www.porterco.org), or at http://www.indianadunes.com/assets/porter-county-sports-facilities-study-2015-01-14.pdf. (http://www.indianadunes.com/assets/porter-county-sports-facilities-study-2015-01-14.pdf.)
Hockey rinks left in the cold?
Evans allowed the audience a few minutes to ask questions, which prompted some to express shock that the study did not make strong recommendations on building a hockey rink, contending there is unquestionable demand.
Chesterton resident John Gregurich said youth are having to travel to indoor hockey arenas in Illinois and South Bend to practice hockey because there are no facilities in Porter County.
Gregurich said a few years ago at a Porter County Parks public input event, hockey and ice skating topped a list of items of what amenities residents would like to have.
"There is a huge pent-up demand," Gregurich said.
Sports Cabinet member and Valparaiso resident Chuck Williams agreed there is strong interest in hockey and he has to drive his children twice a week to places outside the county for practice.
Krueger said there was a high interest reported for hockey and ice rinks but currently there is no way to gauge what the economic return would be since there are no such facilities in Porter County. That's why they are not featured in the study's cost analysis, he said.
County Park Board member Craig Kenworthy from the floor said he has high hopes that Porter County can have facilities to support regional tournaments. Residents here are traveling elsewhere and spending money outside of Porter County.
"If we build these things, we can keep that money here," Kenworthy said.
Posted 1/21/2015
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 22, 2015, 09:17:53 AM
The proposed design includes 2 sheets of ice and 5k seating capacity.
This I will certainly believe when I see it. Did someone actually at the university say this? Seems like it's as feasible as this "Duneland Arena". This is the same university that took _years_ to build a track for a team that was already D1 and still hasn't addressed the needed seat upgrades at the ARC.
Quote from: vu72 on January 22, 2015, 09:39:13 AMIndianapolis University Natatoriumat $18 million,
Do you have a reference for this story? Is it the NWI Times? I sure would like to know if they are talking about the facility at the University of Indianapolis or the IUPUI Natatorium.
http://athletics.uindy.edu/sports/2008/10/16/sidebar_647.aspx?id=123 (http://athletics.uindy.edu/sports/2008/10/16/sidebar_647.aspx?id=123)
The RLC pool, opened in 1982, is a 25-yard/meter eight-lane competitive facility that also includes a separate 13-foot-deep diving well with two one-meter and one three-meter maxiflex diving boards. Daktronics timing system is used. The facility features the use of underwater viewing, helpful in stroke analysis. The crown jewel of the pool is the newly-installed video board which displays times and multimedia at home events.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_University_Natatorium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_University_Natatorium)
The main competition pool of the Natatorium is 50-meters with eight racing lanes. Two moveable bulkheads allow for long or short course events as well as hosting water polo and synchronized swimming. The seating capacity of the Natatorium is 4,700, making it the largest indoor pool in the United States. There is also room for additional seating of 1,500 on deck. The depth of the pool is 9 feet (2.7 m) at the ends and 10 feet (3.0 m) at center of pool. Water temperature is kept at 79 °F (26 °C). The main pool contains six underwater windows for television and coaching analysis. There are approximately 1,000,000 US gallons (3,800,000 l; 830,000 imp gal) of water in the main pool. There have been 101 American records and 15 world records set in the pool to date.
As part of the agreement for being selected to host the upcoming 2016 USA Diving Olympic Trials, the Natatorium is scheduled to undergo roughly $18 million in renovation and repairs before 2016. The project will include a new roof and improved climate control. According to local television station WTHR, "the venue cost $21 million to build in 1982, and would cost nearly $75 million to replace."
Quote from: bbtds on January 22, 2015, 11:53:12 AM
Quote from: vu72 on January 22, 2015, 09:39:13 AMIndianapolis University Natatoriumat $18 million,
Do you have a reference for this story? Is it the NWI Times? I sure would like to know if they are talking about the facility at the University of Indianapolis or another facility.
http://athletics.uindy.edu/sports/2008/10/16/sidebar_647.aspx?id=123 (http://athletics.uindy.edu/sports/2008/10/16/sidebar_647.aspx?id=123)
The RLC pool, opened in 1982, is a 25-yard/meter eight-lane competitive facility that also includes a separate 13-foot-deep diving well with two one-meter and one three-meter maxiflex diving boards. Daktronics timing system is used. The facility features the use of underwater viewing, helpful in stroke analysis. The crown jewel of the pool is the newly-installed video board which displays times and multimedia at home events.
Here ya go:
http://www.chestertontribune.com/Porter%20County/duneland_potential_hot_spot_for.htm (http://www.chestertontribune.com/Porter%20County/duneland_potential_hot_spot_for.htm)
Quote from: vu72 on January 22, 2015, 09:26:17 AM
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 22, 2015, 09:17:53 AM
The proposed design includes 2 sheets of ice and 5k seating capacity.
:troll:
I auditioned for the role in the hobbit films. Unfortunately I didn't get the part. Thanks for the suggestion though.
Quote from: a3uge on January 22, 2015, 11:25:17 AM
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 22, 2015, 09:17:53 AM
The proposed design includes 2 sheets of ice and 5k seating capacity.
This I will certainly believe when I see it. Did someone actually at the university say this? Seems like it's as feasible as this "Duneland Arena". This is the same university that took _years_ to build a track for a team that was already D1 and still hasn't addressed the needed seat upgrades at the ARC.
This is several years away. We are still in the early stages. Support for the team will help the project move quicker. There is no doubt we will have struggles. But I'm confident in the individuals working behind the scenes to see this through. I hope to see you at some games.
I'd hate to burst your bubble but I don't foresee an NCAA sanctioned hockey team coming to Valpo anytime soon and if a club team were to form it wouldn't last once the inaugural group of guys graduate. Hockey isn't a cheap sport (I played through high-school) just the ice rental can cost a couple of grand, not speaking about equipment, travel expenses etc... Unlike soccer and ultimate frisbee where all is needed is an open field to practice and the uniforms can be fairly simple and the only thing the university would be paying for is travel (for the most part). While hockey has tons of expenses my parents coughed up 2-3 grand a year just for me to play not to mention the equipment.
Also since there isn't a rink in Valpo that would mean travelling to St. Johns or South Bend, which is no short drive and would cost quite a bit in gas not to mention the time wasted travelling that could be spent studying. Also travelling to South Bend or St. Johns in the winter months on a regular basis could be quite treacherous during some snowier years especially to South Bend.
I really don't foresee the university putting any money into this at the moment. Many things need to happen before a team forms. It took the university how long to build a track? And that is fairly simple and cheap, relatively speaking. Right now the university has bigger fish to fry like much needed renovations to the ARC and other athletic facilities. Maybe if a full size rink goes into the planned fieldhouse then I could see it happening.
I don't know what goes in behind the scenes as well. If a player were to suffer a major injury, especially a major head injury, what does that cost the university? Will it all be out of pocket for the player/player's family.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a Valpo hockey team but until yesterday I heard no mention of this from the university, while I attended and since I've graduated.
Good luck! You'll need it!
Are we talking about the same ath dept that has their swimming team race in the 4th best pool in town behind the local hotels? As others have wisely pointed out, there are far too many upgrades that need to happen with current programs and facilities (ARC, new fieldhouse, pool, football locker rooms, baseball). Valpo can't afford to support anything that would resemble the money pit that hockey would be. And just for the record, I love hockey.
Quote from: classof2014 on January 22, 2015, 12:52:14 PM
I'd hate to burst your bubble but I don't foresee an NCAA sanctioned hockey team coming to Valpo anytime soon and if a club team were to form it wouldn't last once the inaugural group of guys graduate. Hockey isn't a cheap sport (I played through high-school) just the ice rental can cost a couple of grand, not speaking about equipment, travel expenses etc... Unlike soccer and ultimate frisbee where all is needed is an open field to practice and the uniforms can be fairly simple and the only thing the university would be paying for is travel (for the most part). While hockey has tons of expenses my parents coughed up 2-3 grand a year just for me to play not to mention the equipment.
Also since there isn't a rink in Valpo that would mean travelling to St. Johns or South Bend, which is no short drive and would cost quite a bit in gas not to mention the time wasted travelling that could be spent studying. Also travelling to South Bend or St. Johns in the winter months on a regular basis could be quite treacherous during some snowier years especially to South Bend.
I really don't foresee the university putting any money into this at the moment. Many things need to happen before a team forms. It took the university how long to build a track? And that is fairly simple and cheap, relatively speaking. Right now the university has bigger fish to fry like much needed renovations to the ARC and other athletic facilities. Maybe if a full size rink goes into the planned fieldhouse then I could see it happening.
I don't know what goes in behind the scenes as well. If a player were to suffer a major injury, especially a major head injury, what does that cost the university? Will it all be out of pocket for the player/player's family.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a Valpo hockey team but until yesterday I heard no mention of this from the university, while I attended and since I've graduated.
Good luck! You'll need it!
USA hockey covers any medical costs that the players insurance does not. We are operating around a 100k budget next year.
Who is coming up with the 100 K?
Is the university funding it fully?
A donor willing to pay for a hockey program?
All out of pocket?
Hi everyone! I just spoke to ml about this. There are no plans for and no discussions taking place involving the Athletics Department or the Recreational Sports Department for starting an NCAA sanctioned or club level ice hockey team affiliated with Valparaiso University. There are also no plans involving either of those Departments for an ice rink anywhere on campus.
Quote from: ml2 on January 22, 2015, 05:11:07 PM
Hi everyone! I just spoke to ml about this. There are no plans for and no discussions taking place involving the Athletics Department or the Recreational Sports Department for starting an NCAA sanctioned or club level ice hockey team affiliated with Valparaiso University. There are also no plans involving either of those Departments for an ice rink anywhere on campus.
I guess you will be surprised come September.
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 22, 2015, 06:04:17 PM
Quote from: ml2 on January 22, 2015, 05:11:07 PM
Hi everyone! I just spoke to ml about this. There are no plans for and no discussions taking place involving the Athletics Department or the Recreational Sports Department for starting an NCAA sanctioned or club level ice hockey team affiliated with Valparaiso University. There are also no plans involving either of those Departments for an ice rink anywhere on campus.
I guess you will be surprised come September.
I would think the athletic director (ml) would be the most surprised if a VU sponsored hockey club suddenly happened in September that he didn't know anything about in January. I wonder why the people sponsoring this VU hockey club would hide it from Valpo's athletic director.
Lol.
Quote from: ml2 on January 22, 2015, 05:11:07 PM
Hi everyone! I just spoke to ml about this. There are no plans for and no discussions taking place involving the Athletics Department or the Recreational Sports Department for starting an NCAA sanctioned or club level ice hockey team affiliated with Valparaiso University. There are also no plans involving either of those Departments for an ice rink anywhere on campus.
HAHAHAHAHA LOLOLOLO!! As I said from the start, this hockey guy is a troll trying to get attention, or, is a guy fully under the influence of something. Stop wasting our posting space!!
LOL
'saders is back
...
(shuddup tex)
Really hysterical when you think about "two ice sheets with a 5000 seat capacity"!! :troll: :thewave:
really, though, you were the first to call him out on his bull-sheet. well done.
although, all you have to do is take the "c" out of the thread title and it's even more accurate.
Yeah not sure anyone was buying the arena, but since Valpo used to have a club team, the addition of another club team seemed plausible. Oh well. Still curious as to what jerseys would look like.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on January 22, 2015, 09:06:10 PM
LOL
'saders is back
...
(shuddup tex)
Oh come on, I don't even get the chance to call you out again? ;)
ValpoHockey, in case you didn't realize from the other posts, ml2 is the son of Valpo's Athletic Director (who also posts here occasionally), and part of the Valpo Athletic Department as well. He would definitely know if there were plans for what you are mentioning. Again, Valpo having Hockey would be awesome, but not financially feasible unless other sports were cut, which won't happen anytime soon.
funny troll, but it would really be great if it were a reality. This is no NCAA hockey team in the Chicagoland area, and as many know hockey is a very popular sport in this region!
USC has a hockey club and hockey has become very popular recently in the SoCal area. There is discussion they may go NCAA in the future with other teams in the region.
Wow. Since the explanation of who ml and ml2 are, not so much as a peep from Valpo_Hockey. Was wondering when we would get some info from the athletic dept.
I would also like to see hockey at Valpo, but don't think it is realistic, nor financially feasible. I think Valpo could build very good lacrosse teams for both men and women.
I kind of fell for it myself. There's just one problem: I have zero interest in College Hockey ;) (which means I only fell for it a tiny bit).
As someone who played hockey as a kid and as a longtime Blackhawks fan, I fell for it because I wanted it to be true. I was even picturing how good I was going to look in a Crusader jersey. :)
Stl, College hockey is so difficult to get into because games only happen on weekends, and aren't really televised outside of the regions the teams play in. Sure, we get B1G Ten games around here, but the other teams playing you have to buy an overpriced season subscription, or try to find audio from the school. College hockey is a sport the NCAA can't sell well because ESPN won't cover it during the regular season, and other than in the playing regions, everyone else pays attention to the local NHL team that pays attention to hockey at all, and I live in the city that is the AHL affiliate to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Actually, it's so hard to get into for me because I'm not really a hockey fan. I am an unapologetic bandwagon Blackhawks fan right now because they win so much and compete for the Cup every year, but mostly because they actually major in Hockey rather than WWE.
But I'm not, strictly speaking, a Hockey fan.
Does anyone think that Valpo Hockey just fell off a turnip truck and stumbled in here and decided to spoof us about a new hockey program? Or, is he someone who knows enough about is to recognize that it's a topic that we would willingly bite on? Does anyone really believe that highly articulate, self-professed longstanding Valpo fans and board members like Big Mo Smith Fan and Valpower, for example, just suddenly dropped off the face of the earth, or are they/he ever present among us?
Quote from: wh on January 24, 2015, 01:10:20 PM
Does anyone think that Valpo Hockey just fell off a turnip truck and stumbled in here and decided to spoof us about a new hockey program? Or, is he someone who knows enough about is to recognize that it's a topic that we would willingly bite on? Does anyone really believe that highly articulate, self-professed longstanding Valpo fans and board members like Big Mo Smith Fan and Valpower, for example, just suddenly dropped off the face of the earth, or are they/he ever present among us?
If Valpo_Hockey were an alias to have some fun with us, they really missed an opportunity by not waiting another 68-70 days or so!
I stand by my statements. Discussions were held with the AD today via email. This is an administration we are dealing with. Also, the AD has nothing to do with whether an ACHA team is approved. That falls with rec sports.
I haven't responded, because i was scouting in Fort Wayne over the weekend. Secondly, I don't really care what the son of the AD has to say. And if indeed the AD spills all this behind the scenes info to his son, just so he can run off and post it on a fan forum, then i have lost respect for both individuals.
Lastly, If you really are interested in seeing a jersey. Visit the FB page. There is an early mock up.
Feel free to debate this further. I am done with all the negativity behind this forum. The only reason this was posted, was to gain support. However a few on here would rather poke fun instead of having a discussion. Don't expect a response from me here on out.
Valpo_Hockey, I am the one who asked the athletic department to weigh in on this subject, before that I think there was nothing but support for hockey and this endeavor. Your comments, young man, are out of place when it comes to the AD and his son who is also involved with development for the athletic department. Many of us on this board have a long history of work with the university either on boards or as actual employees and were most likely and deservedly somewhat skeptical about the statement concerning the university building two sheets of ice for your program. Before that all of us were on board and many excited about the possibilites. If you really are determined to take your ball, or in this case puck and go home and you are truely giving us accurate information about a new club hockey team at VU, I respectfully suggest that this is the wrong play.
This board has nothing but support for a hockey program, but we are also realistic. We've been talking about a desire for a hockey program for a lot longer than you've been on here, Valpo_Hockey. If you succeed, we will all be behind you. :thumbsup:
I'm coming from one of the top 3 most dominant division 1 hockey schools this past decade. I know how to make this a successful program. Coming on here, was a ploy to gain support. There are people talking about jerseys, when there is a mock up on the fb page which is what I first posted. Apparently nobody has decided to either like the page or visit it and look at those jerseys.
And you may or may not agree with my tactics. But I will tell you people working with the university especially the AD coming on here and posting is not professional and would have resulted in a firing very quickly at my previous universities. And I agree with that philosophy. There is a big difference between engaging fans and down right leaking information that is happening behind closed doors at the University. I could Leake and post screen shots of all the email correspondence from coaches concerning recruitment, ice rinks, and general administration dealings, but that is unprofessional and frankly unnecessary.
If a hockey team is something you want to see at valpo. Then I would suggest you stop attacking me, like the fb page, and champion it's idea.
I think college hockey is one of the most fascinating and thrilling sports to watch. The speed and skill is a pleasure to watch. BUT, coming from New England where collegiate hockey is followed closely and generally out-draws college BB at places like BC, BU, UNH, UMaine, Harvard, etc., I'm wondering why so many on this board are willing to put hockey up against MBB and IMO dilute the Valpo athletic brand. The outcomes, again IMO, are all risky if not counter productive. Heck, we already have a number of struggling non-revenue sports. And we want to add another (unless we bite the bullet and hire a seasoned DI coach and open up the VU vault)?
1. Adding hockey, that carries approximately 30 players, would require a title IX adjustment (I.e., cut a couple of men's sports or add another women's team)
2. It may challenge MBB for attendance (perhaps splitting student fan interest). We have discussed the drop in attendance issue and student apathy to death already.
3. It may, no will, be a financial drain on the athletic budget: Equipment is considerably more expensive than, say, lacrosse. Ice time is expensive. Schedules are ~30 games and traveling with 30 players to compete against other DI teams will be expensive.
4. Ticket revenue will not support expenditures -- especially if it involves convincing students to leave campus and drive to SB to watch a game.
5. There is no mention or even an illustration of a rink in the 30 year plan.
Sorry, even though I really like the sport, I don' t see the value nor the sense in a move that Valpo_hockey is trying to sell.
Oh and BTW, I have bookmarks for both the VUFB Twitter and Facebook pages, have had them active for five years, and do not see any hockey sweater photos or posts. Please post the direct link before making any claims of this nature.
It's pure and simple. To accuse our AD of not being honest regarding "what is going on behind the scenes" is laughable on its face let alone a "firing" at another institution". Valpo is a basketball school, followed by a football school, located in Indiana. It isn't located in Minnesota or Wisconsin or New England. We all know the struggles related to raising funds to support our flagship sports and to waste time debating the value of pipe dreams is a major waste of time and an insult to our Sports Administration. Just let it go to where it belongs--the dead hype dream threads.
The Facebook page that valpo_hockey is talking about is Valpo Hockey Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/ValpoHockey)
Here is the hockey jersey mock up
(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10425058_284757778314959_1694962813789440504_n.png?oh=d4c4075fef75ac486f46c3d2650d8178&oe=556245D8)
The first comment on the Valpo Hockey Facebook page dated January 18, at the bottom, lists the names of two people involved with this endeavor.
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 26, 2015, 09:38:34 PMI'm coming from one of the top 3 most dominant division 1 hockey schools this past decade. I know how to make this a successful program.
From this statement it seems that you are a coach and not a student?
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 26, 2015, 09:38:34 PMComing on here, was a ploy to gain support. There are people talking about jerseys, when there is a mock up on the fb page which is what I first posted. Apparently nobody has decided to either like the page or visit it and look at those jerseys.
This thread has been looked at almost 800 times, that seems like a fair amount of support. I would venture to guess that almost every poster viewed the facebook page, I did.
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 26, 2015, 09:38:34 PMBut I will tell you people working with the university especially the AD coming on here and posting is not professional and would have resulted in a firing very quickly at my previous universities.
You appear to be unfamiliar with this board, the AD comes on here somewhat regularly to update us on university and department positions and happenings. If you did not anticipate this happening and did not have any contact with the athletic department concerning this, then I suggest that it is you who have been unprofessional. I am certain that no university would fire an administrator because they communicate with some of the universities more active supporters.
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 26, 2015, 09:38:34 PMThen I would suggest you stop attacking me
Ok, some posters may have suggested that you were trolling, but I don't think that anyone really attacked you. As has been said many times before, most everyone would support a club hockey team at VU.
Still think the shield logo would be better for the front of a hockey jersey.
(http://cdn.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/get-the-puck-outta-here-b0bf5.png)
Everyone would support NCAA hockey at Valpo, if we went that direction, but as stated before, we would have to add men's and women's hockey for Title IX. I highly doubt that we would eliminate any of our other programs to add hockey, which would be a complete unknown for our school. I would support it, but don't know that Valpo could afford to add both large programs as NCAA sports.
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 26, 2015, 09:38:34 PM
If a hockey team is something you want to see at valpo. Then I would suggest you stop attacking me, like the fb page, and champion it's idea.
Jan 26, 2015 - the day a message board killed an entire hockey program, a 5000 seat arena, and almost got an athletic director fired. Maybe some day these emails will "Leake" on Valpowikileaks.
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Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 26, 2015, 09:38:34 PMIf a hockey team is something you want to see at valpo. Then I would suggest you stop attacking me, like the fb page, and champion it's idea.
I would think that 195 likes would indicate that people are in support of hockey at Valpo, especially in such a short time.
I think for most posters on this board, the discussion of hockey at Valpo comes to believability. Most of us know that the AD and others within the Athletic Department read the forum and post from time to time. Most of us are knowledgeable with the future plan of athletics at Valpo, including the master plan of the University and potential buildings associated with these plans. Most of us had not even heard inklings or ideas of the University planning to build ice rinks for hockey or any other use. While most wanted this to be true, there was never an announcement from the University - not necessarily very believable.
You were correct in coming to this forum to get buy in for a club level hockey team at Valpo. This is where you would get the most die hard fans and supporters of Valpo. Good luck in building a hockey brand at Valpo!
You all are wearing big letter "S" on your foreheads.
"S" is for Sucker
OK...I probably should have chimed in here before now, but I'm just too busy...but here I go. First, the arena...check out the last page of the "arena plan" thread for my post on the pitfalls of building an arena anywhere...I have a couple of renderings of our arena plan as well. We weren't a part of the other two arena groups, but we did speak once to the LLC group from a few years ago.
Number one, anyone setting up a club team...I'll talk about the ACHA here...they don't need university approval right away. No funds come from the university at all...any budget, revenue and the like is generated by fundraisers or donors. At a certain point however, the university in question will have to be notified because of likeness use(uniforms/sweaters)issues...or the potential thereof. Starting an NCAA team is a university deal...the AD would know everything about that...the ACHA team would never become an NCAA team, we're talkng about two totally different things here. In fact, there are many NCAA schools that also have ACHA teams, sometimes at all three levels(mens).
I'm running out of time, but I have one more point...or a bit of info...there seems to be someone recruiting for Valparaiso U hockey out there...found it on multiple recruiting sites that I'm privy to. I wish you luck Valpo_hockey...you should have no problem right away with an ACHA III level team...without a nearby rink, ACHA II would be tough(ask Purdue), but not impossible...anything beyond that would be impossible without the said ice sheet(s)on campus.
We are looking into a different facility that is not located in South Bend. We may have found a better deal.
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 29, 2015, 09:27:12 AM
We are looking into a different facility that is not located in South Bend. We may have found a better deal.
Unless you're going into Michigan or Chicago you're only other reasonable option is St. Johns, which is better than South Bend due to there is no time change.
Quote from: classof2014 on January 29, 2015, 09:35:43 AM
Quote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 29, 2015, 09:27:12 AM
We are looking into a different facility that is not located in South Bend. We may have found a better deal.
Unless you're going into Michigan or Chicago you're only other reasonable option is St. Johns, which is better than South Bend due to there is no time change.
As someone who lived there for 24 years I let the first one slide but now I have to correct you. It's just St. John. It's only one town. ;)
I can't remember everything about the Valpo area arena deals, but I would think that any arena would need some ice. I'm also thinking that an enterprising person might put an ice arena somewhere on 49 between 80 and 94. LaPorte, Valpo, Michigan City, Lake county - just about everyone would be able to use the ice there and I'm sure there are kids that would otherwise not try skating would be able to learn.
Not getting my hopes up but this would be great. Both Ball State and Purdue play at the Fishers Forum which is less than two blocks from my home....
Quote from: classof2014 on January 29, 2015, 09:35:43 AMQuote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 29, 2015, 09:27:12 AMWe are looking into a different facility that is not located in South Bend. We may have found a better deal.
Unless you're going into Michigan or Chicago you're only other reasonable option is St. Johns, which is better than South Bend due to there is no time change.
There is the Midwest Ice Center on White Oak Ave. in Dyer. It's where the Lake Central and Crown Point hockey clubs play.
Quote from: historyman on January 29, 2015, 01:15:08 PM
Quote from: classof2014 on January 29, 2015, 09:35:43 AMQuote from: Valpo_Hockey on January 29, 2015, 09:27:12 AMWe are looking into a different facility that is not located in South Bend. We may have found a better deal.
Unless you're going into Michigan or Chicago you're only other reasonable option is St. Johns, which is better than South Bend due to there is no time change.
There is the Midwest Ice Center on White Oak Ave. in Dyer. It's where the Lake Central and Crown Point hockey clubs play.
As someone who's parents paid a LOT in property taxes for that ice arena, it's in St. John. It's in unincorporated St. John Township which means the zip defaults to Dyer, but if it was build about 300 yards to the north it would be in St. John. It was also paid for by St. John taxpayers and there's a few politicians who will never be elected in St. John because of that fiasco.
It's on the same property that the St. John little league fields are on.
Quote from: covufan on January 29, 2015, 11:18:43 AM
I can't remember everything about the Valpo area arena deals, but I would think that any arena would need some ice. I'm also thinking that an enterprising person might put an ice arena somewhere on 49 between 80 and 94. LaPorte, Valpo, Michigan City, Lake county - just about everyone would be able to use the ice there and I'm sure there are kids that would otherwise not try skating would be able to learn.
Maybe someone can move just my arena post from the basketball section here...top of page four, I believe...
Things have gone silent here.....
Quote from: IndyValpo on October 15, 2015, 09:24:31 AM
Things have gone silent here.....
If you are on Facebook, Valpo Hockey has a page there:
https://www.facebook.com/ValpoHockey (https://www.facebook.com/ValpoHockey)
They have jerseys, but no link to order.
Are they still playing in South Bend?
Quote from: covufan on October 15, 2015, 02:22:37 PM
Quote from: IndyValpo on October 15, 2015, 09:24:31 AM
Things have gone silent here.....
If you are on Facebook, Valpo Hockey has a page there:
https://www.facebook.com/ValpoHockey (https://www.facebook.com/ValpoHockey)
They have jerseys, but no link to order.
Still not real.
I think it would be very cool if Valpo could actually sell hockey jerseys like these.
Quote from: a3uge on October 15, 2015, 04:01:26 PM
Quote from: covufan on October 15, 2015, 02:22:37 PM
Quote from: IndyValpo on October 15, 2015, 09:24:31 AM
Things have gone silent here.....
If you are on Facebook, Valpo Hockey has a page there:
https://www.facebook.com/ValpoHockey (https://www.facebook.com/ValpoHockey)
They have jerseys, but no link to order.
Still not real.
Well, they are on the ACHA website...not sure how you fake that...worlds greatest hoax apparently...even the ACHA is in on it, all for the sake of fooling us!!! :lol:
what horn will be used and what song will they play when the Saders score?
Maybe crank the victory bell when they score.
Goal song - Tear the Roof Off - "We got the Funk" by Parliament
It's been awhile since I have been on here.
Some updates. The team will play for the upcoming school year. There are three NCAA recruits coming in, along with other's with ACHA experience.
Jerseys have been for sale on the FB page. There will be a online store up very soon with hoodies, hats, t-shirts etc.
There is going to be a very BIG hockey announcement that concerns the overall region within the next few months.
If you have any questions, provided I can, I will answer them.
The ICHC had their year end tourney last weekend at the Fuel Tank (formerly the Fishers Forum). Indy's minor league (Indy Fuel) purchased (were given) the facility.
I live very close and walked over and watched some of a game between IPFW and Xavier. IPFW had 13 players, Xavier around 18-19. Purdue was the #1 seed but Indiana ended up winning I believe. those four teams plus Ball State currently make up the ICHC. Butler and IUPUI added club hockey this year. Not sure if they are joining this league.
So, my understanding is that the ACHA is essentially club hockey. Is that accurate? If it was a fully sponsored sport by VU, it would be on our athletics website.
It is slightly accurate. Some schools choose to include ACHA on their athletics page. Some do not. Valpo Hockey has its own website that is separate from rec sports and athletics.
The ACHA was developed in 1991 to give hockey players the chance to play college hockey, there is a limited amount of NCAA hockey programs, this is primarily because of the cost associate with the sport. The ACHA was developed to be a alternative to NCAA hockey. So you will see big schools, like University of Iowa and University of Illinois with ACHA teams.
Penn State and Arizona State both in recent years started with ACHA teams and then made the jump to NCAA D1. That may be an option for Valpo in the future, but it currently is not. An ACHA team is what properly fits the structure currently.
Sounds good, and hopefully we eventually get the funds to be NCAA as well!
Quote from: valpotx on February 18, 2016, 10:39:12 AM
Sounds good, and hopefully we eventually get the funds to be NCAA as well!
All you need is someone to donate $102M as the leading gift for the arena and the team (Penn State): http://www.gopsusports.com/pegula-ice-arena/ (http://www.gopsusports.com/pegula-ice-arena/)
Quote from: valpo95 on February 19, 2016, 10:20:09 AM
Quote from: valpotx on February 18, 2016, 10:39:12 AM
Sounds good, and hopefully we eventually get the funds to be NCAA as well!
All you need is someone to donate $102M as the leading gift for the arena and the team (Penn State): http://www.gopsusports.com/pegula-ice-arena/ (http://www.gopsusports.com/pegula-ice-arena/)
Or "only" 80 million for ASU!!! :P Anyway, glad to see you have some experience coming in...good luck!!! :)
A new hockey facility could be coming to the Hobart/Merrillville area (north of US30 off Mississippi) by the fall or winter of 2017.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/ice-hockey-facility-proposed-for-hobart-development/article_a072d910-3644-54fe-9c2b-c35b5f640d25.html
I know it is a dream, but hockey would be so awesome to have at Valpo. The spot contunue to grow in national interest, more so than baseball.
The ICHC website does not include Valpo, they did add Butler. Schedules are out so it looks like no hockey in Valpo this year...
Quote from: usc4valpo on August 07, 2016, 12:02:46 PM
I know it is a dream, but hockey would be so awesome to have at Valpo. The spot contunue to grow in national interest, more so than baseball.
Maybe in the Midwest and Northeast...
Trine University building new Hockey Facility! $16 million project will bring hockey to Trine (http://www.trine.edu/news/2016/big-announcement.aspx)
Quote from: FWalum on August 17, 2016, 06:14:40 PM
Trine University building new Hockey Facility! $16 million project will bring hockey to Trine (http://www.trine.edu/news/2016/big-announcement.aspx)
Wow. Ambitious. Maybe there is a chance for Valpo Hockey!
Trine can have hockey but Valpo cannot? What the heck?
The money has never been there nor will it ever. How many different ways can it be said? Valpo doesn't have the money to support programs outside of men's basketball. If you want a hockey team, either rob a bank or figure out a way to have a rich hockey person develop a love for VU.
Quote from: FWalum on August 17, 2016, 06:14:40 PM
Trine University building new Hockey Facility! $16 million project will bring hockey to Trine (http://www.trine.edu/news/2016/big-announcement.aspx)
I was thinking $16 million to build a hockey facility to play club level hockey....wow! Reading the article $4.5 million for the hockey rink. Still impressive.
in reality, we have a bigger need for a huge ARC renovation than to bring in hockey.
I wish Valpo had hockey it is in a great area.. Dam
Quote from: IndyValpo on August 18, 2016, 07:26:22 AM
Quote from: FWalum on August 17, 2016, 06:14:40 PM
Trine University building new Hockey Facility! $16 million project will bring hockey to Trine (http://www.trine.edu/news/2016/big-announcement.aspx)
I was thinking $16 million to build a hockey facility to play club level hockey....wow! Reading the article $4.5 million for the hockey rink. Still impressive.
The group that I was in had budgeted somewhere between 5 and 15 million for a two sheet facility. The first building was already completed, but would have needed some revisions totaling just north of a million. The second building would have had to have been constructed. In the long rage plan, there would have been a third(larger)building and all three would have been tied together by a lobby pod...that third building was not budgeted and the money would have had to come from someone else. Our financial projections for the two sheets had us profiting in the third year, maybe sooner, so there was never a great race to the third building which ultimately angered our biggest investor because he thought we were moving too slow and that our vision lacked something(not sure what). They moved on and bought the UPC Arena in Fargo...
Oakland is looking into starting a men's & women's hockey teams. Jealous. It would be a fun sport for Valpo to add. Only problem is its really expensive and not sure where the teams would play.
https://twitter.com/TonyPaul1984/status/920024300811321344
And its season would overlap and compete with MBB for fan backing. I still like lacrosse as a better alternative -- more players on the roster, significantly less equipment expense, already existing fields on campus (We often have a hard time getting students to the ARC. Does anyone think they would drive to an ice arena somewhere off campus?), significantly fewer games (collegiate hockey teams play on average 30-36 regular season games; Lacrosse teams play around 15).
If Detroit Mercy can be used as a template, here was their 2017 schedule. It might serve as an example of what Valpo might have to do.
2/11/17 @ Ohio State
2/15/17 Michigan (Pontiac MI - Ultimate Soccer Arena)
2/18/17 Mercer (at Lexington KY)
2/23/17 Jacksonville (Pontiac MI - Ultimate Soccer Arena)
2/25/17 @Robert Morris (PA)
3/3/17 Bellarmine (@ Marquette U)
3/5/17 @Marquette
3/11/17 @ USAF Academy
MAAC Conference Games
3/18/17 Manhattan (Titan Field)
3/26/17 @Quinnipiac (CT)
4/1/17 @ Sienna (NY)
4/8/17 Canisius
4/15/17 Monmouth
4/22/17 @ Marist
4/29/17 @ Cleveland State (Yes! That Cleveland State)
5/5/17 MAAC Championship
Actually, if Valpo started a Lacrosse program, that might be enough to put together a midwest version of the MAAC (Detroit Mercy, Cleveland State, Valpo and maybe 3 more midwest independents). Still a lot of travel though.
With all of Valpo's needs for improved facilities and program upgrades in so many areas, that's all we need is to add a sport that would drain money, no matter how small the amount. Add lacrosse, or hockey, continue the swimming program...and all we hear about is the lack of parking facilities for a revenue producing sport, MBB. It's called priorities!
p.s. however it would be cool to have a hockey program. :)
Wow! If Oakland would add hockey, the "King" would have to play a good number of top Div. 1 MBB games each year to pay for the hockey programs. Perhaps he could start a promotion during the b-ball season home games, "Bucks for Pucks".
Hockey and Lacrosse are both 'wealthy people' sports. Hockey would cost a ton and be a huge financial burden for Valpo - so any thought of that should be immediately dismissed. Lacrosse (which I know nothing about) could be an interesting addition that might not cost that much, and could be done at the men and women's level. It could be used to attract additional students.
If Valpo expands to any sport I would definitely put money on Lacrosse over Hockey. Could open up some recruiting towards the east coast but would depend on if there are enough teams in a nearby conference to make it feasible
The only D1 schools close by that play LaCrosse are Butler (Men's and Women's), Notre Dame (both) and Northwestern (Women's)
LaCrosse is a big time East Coast sport. Hockey is more of a Midwest, Northern, Upper East Coast sport but would be majorly expensive. Not going to happen other than possibly at the club level.
Quote from: vu72 on October 17, 2017, 01:29:55 PM
The only D1 schools close by that play LaCrosse are Butler (Men's and Women's), Notre Dame (both) and Northwestern (Women's)
LaCrosse is a big time East Coast sport. Hockey is more of a Midwest, Northern, Upper East Coast sport but would be majorly expensive. Not going to happen other than possibly at the club level.
Slight correction: Butler does not field a men's lacrosse team. Somewhere I remember a similar discussion and someone mentioned that they use to have men's lacrosse but dropped it a while ago. Checking their athletics website confirmed it.
Extending the radius around Valpo a bit to ~300 miles.......
Marquette (148) is the only Big East lacrosse school out of the 6 schools who play (this includes Denver which is a lacrosse affiliate).
UDM (246) and Cleveland State (306) are the only Horizon teams and Cleveland State just finished it's inaugural season this past spring (more below).
Of the 6 schools in the B1G only Michigan (205) and OSU (272) are inside that radius
The A-10 only sponsors women's lacrosse
Quote from: vu84v2 on October 17, 2017, 01:02:28 PM
Hockey and Lacrosse are both 'wealthy people' sports. Hockey would cost a ton and be a huge financial burden for Valpo - so any thought of that should be immediately dismissed. Lacrosse (which I know nothing about) could be an interesting addition that might not cost that much, and could be done at the men and women's level. It could be used to attract additional students.
That's a good point. It would mean more tuition-per player-generated. The NCAA limits lacrosse to 12.6 scholarship equivalents for men and 12 for women. So some athletic aid could be used, but with higher income levels among parents, there still would probably be an upswing in funds coming into Valpo rather than going out.
About CSU lacrosse: They had 43 on the men's roster, all but one were freshmen and sophomores. They played what looks to be a 16 game independent schedule (they were 5-9 -- 2 were cancelled) that included 3 against B1G teams and 2 against ACC teams. The schedule included competition against 5 nationally ranked teams. They gave up 20 or more goals just once. Not bad for a young, inexperienced first year team.
Let's be serious - I understand the cost difference, but many more will be engaged with hockey than lacrosse. Too bad it is only a dream.
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 18, 2017, 05:05:16 AM
Let's be serious - I understand the cost difference, but many more will be engaged with hockey than lacrosse. Too bad it is only a dream.
I would have thought the same, but Marquette was drawing 1,000+ for lacrosse matches before they moved into their temporary dome, which limited attendance to 500.
Louisville also plays lacrosse and they would be within 300 miles.
Quote from: vu84v2 on October 18, 2017, 09:59:56 AM
Quote from: usc4valpo on October 18, 2017, 05:05:16 AM
Let's be serious - I understand the cost difference, but many more will be engaged with hockey than lacrosse. Too bad it is only a dream.
I would have thought the same, but Marquette was drawing 1,000+ for lacrosse matches before they moved into their temporary dome, which limited attendance to 500.
Louisville also plays lacrosse and they would be within 300 miles.
As another point of reference, the Cleveland State lacrosse team draws as well as or better than its men's soccer team.
The NCAA hockey landscape is well settled right now. Penn State is the only program in recent memory to break in with any hope sustainable success (and that came courtesy of millions of dollars from the Pegulas.
High School Lacrosse is spreading quickly across the upper Midwest. If we can be one of the early adopters regionally, we can establish ourselves as an impact program regionally before any more major regional players establish themselves.
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Am I the only person who thinks that Las Vegas is wearing Valpo uniforms?