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Post by blackandgold on Sept 17, 2010 12:10:43 GMT -5
Penn State just received a whopping $88 million donation to construct a hockey arena on its campus. $88 million! www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/091710aaa.htmlAnyway, I don't think Oakland is going to have any natural gas tycoon alums in the near future, but if Penn State, a school secluded in the middle of Pennsylvania, can build a state-of-the-art arena for figure skating and women's hockey, it makes me wonder why Oakland wouldn't consider moving its men's hockey team to Division I in A BUSTLING REGION THAT LOVES HOCKEY!
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Post by Pioneer on Sept 17, 2010 16:16:44 GMT -5
I always felt hockey would be a logical sport for OU to add, but money has always been the issue. It is very expensive to field 2 NCAA teams and I think you need to have an on campus facility to really make it work. That was one of the failures of the Wayne State program. I agree that our location is prime. It's a growing youth sport in the county/metro Detroit and close to Canada for other recruits. Not to mention the success of OU's club team is proof that there is plenty of talent out there. I don't see it happening without a major donor though. Here is an interesting link suggesting the possibility of the Big Ten sponsoring hockey. This could open up the CCHA for expansion-which would benefit a school like OU. www.annarbor.com/sports/penn-states-hockey-program-jumps-to-division-1-a-could-lead-to-big-ten-hockey-conference/
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Post by Germane on Sept 17, 2010 20:41:28 GMT -5
Good informative post, Pioneer.
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Post by blackandgold on Sept 20, 2010 9:37:27 GMT -5
Agreeing with Germane in that I really appreciate the perspective, Pioneer. Had no idea Wayne State attempted to field a club, though it would serve as an interesting case study in weighing OU's options.
I had no even thought about the Canada aspect, that makes it even more enticing.
While I'll definitely support donations for new campus housing before a hockey arena, I can't help but have the hope that it could one day be added, as OU's "second sport," with no offense to women's basketball or men's soccer.
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Post by hoopsfan on Oct 8, 2010 8:28:34 GMT -5
Adding on to Pioneer:
Wayne State was offered a brand new Hockey arena by Pete Karmanos- ONLY IF they moved their hockey team to DI within x number of years. However, the school struggles with all current sports teams. Therefore, the deal never got done.
Blackandgold -
1) Because they have a DI football stadium that seats over 100k fans per game. (This also includes the football booster effect)
2) not sure if you travel much- but in many states where the university defines the region, fans think nothing of driving over an hour to go to a sporting event. Iowa wrestling once got over 15,000 for a wrestling match.
3) since they are in the "middle of the state", any external fans don't have to worry about spending their money on most pro sports teams
4) I believe their current enrollment is about 95,000 students. I think that would guarantee the O'Rena would sell out every game.
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Post by Pioneer on Oct 8, 2010 20:56:12 GMT -5
Actually, Wayne State has always been D1 in hockey It is one of those NCAA sports where you can field a D1 team while having your remaining sports D2. I did find this interesting article about trying to lure Ilitch into an arena/practice facility which is probably what you were referring to. www.usatoday.com/sports/college/hockey/columnist/2008-03-15-harris-wayne-state_N.htmI know they looked into moving to D1 with all their sports a few years ago but they were never able to gain traction.
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Post by hoopsfan on Oct 9, 2010 14:07:47 GMT -5
Actually, Wayne State has always been D1 in hockey It is one of those NCAA sports where you can field a D1 team while having your remaining sports D2. I did find this interesting article about trying to lure Ilitch into an arena/practice facility which is probably what you were referring to. www.usatoday.com/sports/college/hockey/columnist/2008-03-15-harris-wayne-state_N.htmI know they looked into moving to D1 with all their sports a few years ago but they were never able to gain traction. Pioneer, I was correct in one part- but incorrect in another- 1) It was Pete Karmanos that promised them the arena- ONLY IF ALL sports moved to D1. That was @ the year 2000. 2) The Illitch thing is nothing more that the AD grasping at straws. (this is NOT what I was referring to) Like you said, they looked at D1, but they could not cost justify it. If you ask anyone from the athletic department- they will tell you it is right around the corner. If you ask anyone higher in the administration- they will tell you it's never going to happen. Anyway- the men's program is gone now.
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Post by virginian on Nov 22, 2010 12:20:49 GMT -5
Penn State just received a whopping $88 million donation to construct a hockey arena on its campus. $88 million! www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/091710aaa.htmlAnyway, I don't think Oakland is going to have any natural gas tycoon alums in the near future, but if Penn State, a school secluded in the middle of Pennsylvania, can build a state-of-the-art arena for figure skating and women's hockey, it makes me wonder why Oakland wouldn't consider moving its men's hockey team to Division I in A BUSTLING REGION THAT LOVES HOCKEY! The new hockey arena will host Penn State's D-I men's hockey program. They announced the new program in September. sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5583790They will begin play in the 2012-2013 season.
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