[Husker] Penn State to start playing varsity ice hockey

[Mike Jaixen]

On my blog, I cover UNO's D-1 hockey program as well, and I've wondered the same 
thing over the years. I'm skeptical that the Big Ten is going to sponsor 
hockey.  Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Michigan State are traditional 
hockey powers who make the NCAA tournament year after year.  I don't see those 
schools wanting to compete with each other in conference play and possibly risk 
an NCAA tournament berth with extra losses.  In college hockey, strength of 
schedule does mean something in setting the post season, but a Big Ten hockey 
conference with those six schools likely mean one of those traditional powers 
wouldn't make the tournament each season.

That being said, if Indiana, Purdue, and the other Big Ten schools all decide to 
start hockey programs, then it might make sense for the Big Ten to sponsor 
hockey.  That would also be the opening for Husker hockey.  Gender equity might 
not be an issue since men's swimming was dropped a few years ago;even so, adding 
women's hockey might solve that problem.  Then it comes down to facilities in 
Lincoln; I've heard conflicting stories as to whether the new Haymarket Arena 
could have ice.  I know that the seating is not designed for ice, but that's 
true in some multipurpose arenas that have hockey.  The Ice Box might work 
initially, but might be a touch too small for college hockey.  The new club 
hockey facility being developed downtown is likely also too small.

 Mike Jaixen
http://huskermike.blogspot.com
http://www.cornnation.com




________________________________
From: Mike Nolan <nolan at romaine.tssi.com>
To: husker at romaine.tssi.com
Sent: Sun, September 19, 2010 10:36:20 PM
Subject: [Husker] Penn State to start playing varsity ice hockey

Thanks to an $88 million donation, Penn State will be fielding varsity teams 
in both men's and women's ice hockey starting in 2012.

That would give the Big Ten six teams in men's ice hockey, enough to have 
it as a Big Ten conference sport. 

I wonder if the Huskers would be interested?  
--
Mike Nolan

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