ACC

[noeynox]

If you're a CT sports fan, I think you can have fond memories of Dave Babych, Mike Liut and Co., and Troy Ashley, and Kevin Wesley at the same time. Why on the Whalers or UConn's FBS history? I do understand that Carl's repeated alluding to our "history" can get annoying, since the board is full of die hards who know it or some of it depending on our age. At the same time I MISS THE FLUGGING WHALERS!!!!

 

[Waquoit]

uconn has some great bball history pre JC/Geno ...

Actually, UConn only has some pretty good but not great history pre-JC. They won a couple of good games. But they didn't produce any pro players of note, unless you count Toby Kimball having the largest fan club of any NBA player for a brief time. Before 1999, they held the record for most trips to the Big Dance without a Final Four appearance. That screams good but not great to me. I went to FB games as a kid, and while at UConn I was taking a whiz at Rapp's when the QB came in and started going in the sink so I have a bit of UConn FB fan cred. To say that big-time FB at UConn really started 10 years ago seems fair.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Actually, UConn only has some pretty good but not great history pre-JC. They won a couple of good games. But they didn't produce any pro players of note, unless you count Toby Kimball having the largest fan club of any NBA player for a brief time. Before 1999, they held the record for most trips to the Big Dance without a Final Four appearance. That screams good but not great to me. I went to FB games as a kid, and while at UConn I was taking a whiz at Rapp's when the QB came in and started going in the sink so I have a bit of UConn FB fan cred. To say that big-time FB at UConn really started 10 years ago seems fair.

Ha. That's funny. I think it's more than fair to say that big time football started at UConn 10 years ago. It's dead on. BUT: here's that point....that's a lot different than saying that football prior to 10 years ago doesn't matter.

 

[Adios]

If you're a CT sports fan, I think you can have fond memories of Dave Babych, Mike Liut and Co., and Troy Ashley, and Kevin Wesley at the same time. Why on the Whalers or UConn's FBS history? I do understand that Carl's repeated alluding to our "history" can get annoying, since the board is full of die hards who know it or some of it depending on our age. At the same time I MISS THE FLUGGING WHALERS!!!!

No one is sh!tting on the Whalers, dude. Calm down. We all miss the Whalers. I called them the Failures sarcastically. Better question to ask is why are people sh!tting on UConn football's history before we went "big-time". USF fans are proud of their history before they joined the Big East. I made fun of this old logo of theirs and got attacked:

 

[Danzz]

Insider,

What is your opinion on UConn joining Hockey East? Also can we ever hope to become a participant in the Beanpot Tournament?

How much value does ECU have?

Uconn offers no scholarships for hockey. Until they change that, forget Hockey East, the Beanpot Tournament or any major hockey tournament.

 

[whaler11]

No one is sh!tting on the Whalers, dude. Calm down. We all miss the Whalers. I called them the Failures sarcastically. Better question to ask is why are people sh!tting on UConn football's history before we went "big-time". USF fans are proud of their history before they joined the Big East. I made fun of this old logo of theirs and got attacked:

That's a completely sane comparison. I'm sure in 2050 whatever replaces the internet will be ablaze with USF fans talking about the time they beat some CUSA team in the Beef O Brady's Bowl.

 

[MattMang23]

Uconn offers no scholarships for hockey. Until they change that, forget Hockey East, the Beanpot Tournament or any major hockey tournament.

I was just at the NCAA hockey regionals in BPT tonight. Union College is the 1 seed in that region and they beat Michigan State 3-1 in the first game. Union has the fewest losses in the NCAA this year and they are ranked second or third in the country. They also don't offer hockey schollies. I don't understand UConn's hockey inefficiencies when faced with those facts regarding Union College.

 

[kingdobbs]

I don't understand UConn's hockey inefficiencies when faced with those facts regarding Union College.

The simple answer is that the school does not, and for a long time has not, given a shit about hockey.

 

[Adios]

The simple answer is that the school does not, and for a long time has not, given a **** about hockey.

When I went there, one of their players was shorter than me. And I was 5'8".

 

[epark88]

When I went there, one of their players was shorter than me. And I was 5'8".

And when I went there, they had this dude named Todd Krygier. He was kinda decent, and so was the team. He wasn't on scholarship either, I believe.

If UConn wants to win in hockey, it will win in hockey - schollies or not. Although it would be really nice to see them do it at a HE level one day...

 

[Adios]

There's at least one Krygier Whalers game-worn jersey floating around out there somewhere...

 

[MattMang23]

If UConn wants to win in hockey, it will win in hockey - schollies or not. Although it would be really nice to see them do it at a HE level one day...

Exactly. Which is why, with neither school offering schollies, it's so frustrating to see Union having so much success while UConn is floundering.

 

[UConnDan97]

Exactly. Which is why, with neither school offering schollies, it's so frustrating to see Union having so much success while UConn is floundering.

You guys have to understand that a big part of the reason why schools like Union, Denver, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Rochester, Clarkson, etc., have a fair amount of success in hockey is because they have success in NO OTHER SPORT!! Hockey has become their identity. Therefore, the student body has rallied around it as their source of pride.

We just happen to be very fortunate to be UConn Huskies fans, where seemingly EVERY SPORT is our source of pride and identity. Seriously; I can say with great pride that we have an awesome field hockey team, a playoff-caliber baseball team, solid men's and women's soccer teams, the basketball teams speak for themselves, football has been to a BCS game, and our polo team has been national champions for God knows how many years. I even think that our track team won New England last year, if I'm not mistaken. So it cracks me up that everyone is bent out of shape that our hockey is "middle of the road", especially after playing in a hut for a long time.

Don't worry; that's all going to change soon. Like every other sport, UConn is investigating an upgrade in hockey too. And there is no doubt that we will be very good in the sport in no time at all. But comparison to schools like Union.....seriously??

 

[MattMang23]

You guys have to understand that a big part of the reason why schools like Union, Denver, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Rochester, Clarkson, etc., have a fair amount of success in hockey is because they have success in NO OTHER SPORT!! Hockey has become their identity. Therefore, the student body has rallied around it as their source of pride.

We just happen to be very fortunate to be UConn Huskies fans, where seemingly EVERY SPORT is our source of pride and identity. Seriously; I can say with great pride that we have an awesome field hockey team, a playoff-caliber baseball team, solid men's and women's soccer teams, the basketball teams speak for themselves, football has been to a BCS game, and our polo team has been national champions for God knows how many years. I even think that our track team won New England last year, if I'm not mistaken. So it cracks me up that everyone is bent out of shape that our hockey is "middle of the road", especially after playing in a hut for a long time.

Don't worry; that's all going to change soon. Like every other sport, UConn is investigating an upgrade in hockey too. And there is no doubt that we will be very good in the sport in no time at all. But comparison to schools like Union.....seriously??

Yes, seriously. While I certainly realize that many schools, like Union, have nothing else and hockey is king, that circumstance alone shouldn't preclude UConn from becoming better in the sport.

We have numerous advantages over these one-trick-pony schools: namely our athletics dept makes a ton more money than them every year. Profits from football individually and both basketball programs individually probably trump Union's entire athletics budget three-fold. I don't know how UConn is spending their money, obviously, but it doesn't seem to be funding hockey when you'd think there'd be enough to go around. (note: We are obviously strong in most of our other sports so apparently other sports are receiving their share of funding. This is great and I am proud of our healthy athletic dept, I'm just making an argument out of emotion more than anything else. Having grown up a hockey player I just wish my alma mater was stronger in the sport I played as a kid)

Also, for every small school at which hockey is the cash cow, I can name a Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, BCU, Wisconsin, Minnesota etc. at which hockey is not king, but is no doubt prioritized to some degree. I'm not even asking UConn to get to this level. I am just pointing out that if a small school of few advantages, that doesn't even offer schollies can be as successful as Union was this year, what's UConn's excuse when we also don't offer schollies?

Edit: and for the record, I am not complaining that UConn is middle of the road, because I'd take UConn being middle of the road, if that were even true. But we aren't. We are the WORST program in D1. The ABSOLUTE WORST.

 

[nadav]

You guys have to understand that a big part of the reason why schools like Union, Denver, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Rochester, Clarkson, etc., have a fair amount of success in hockey is because they have success in NO OTHER SPORT!!

you forgot Boston College.

 

[huskypantz]

When I went there, one of their players was shorter than me. And I was 5'8".

Theo Fleury is 5'6". There are a decent number of quality NHL players who are short.

 

[UConnDan97]

I'm just making an argument out of emotion more than anything else. Having grown up a hockey player I just wish my alma mater was stronger in the sport I played as a kid)

Also, for every small school at which hockey is the cash cow, I can name a Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, BCU, Wisconsin, Minnesota etc. at which hockey is not king, but is no doubt prioritized to some degree. .

First, I understand the emotion, because I want UConn to be great at everything, including math team, chess team, debate team, badminton, and table tennis. And I wholeheartedly believe that UConn's hockey team will be a much different team in 10 years than it is now, since they have made the conscious and public decision to advance the program.

Second, the Big 10 has had a HUGE hockey presence for quite some time!! You are naming primarily Big10 schools in your "big school" assessment.

Third, don't be so over-dramatic by saying we are the absolute worst team in D-1, because there are at least FOUR teams worse than us in our own division, much less all of D-1!! http://www.uscho.com/standings/division-i-men/2011-2012/

MattMang23, I'm with you on wanting to see us get really good in hockey. We'll get there, paisan! Keep the faith...

 

[progrocks]

What the hell is this thread about again? Is it now just a general catch all for any conversation?

 

[UConnDan97]

What the hell is this thread about again? Is it now just a general catch all for any conversation?

After my latest post pertaining to the state of UConn hockey, I had the same thought...

 

[Dann]

fruck union. my eyes are on schools like michigan , unc and uva as schools i think uconn can be like ad wise.

 

[MattMang23]

First, I understand the emotion, because I want UConn to be great at everything, including math team, chess team, debate team, badminton, and table tennis. And I wholeheartedly believe that UConn's hockey team will be a much different team in 10 years than it is now, since they have made the conscious and public decision to advance the program.

Second, the Big 10 has had a HUGE hockey presence for quite some time!! You are naming primarily Big10 schools in your "big school" assessment.

Third, don't be so over-dramatic by saying we are the absolute worst team in D-1, because there are at least FOUR teams worse than us in our own division, much less all of D-1!! http://www.uscho.com/standings/division-i-men/2011-2012/

MattMang23, I'm with you on wanting to see us get really good in hockey. We'll get there, paisan! Keep the faith...

Yes, I was a bit over-dramatic. We are a middle to below average AHA team. So, one of the worst but not THE worst.

As for your assertions that we will one day be really good, I trust you that it'll happen! It will just take time and I am impatient.

 

[Hoophound]

I think people are frustrated with hockey for three simple reasons:

1. Because we could try and be more successful in our current form without going to Hockey East and offering scholarships, but we don't.

2. Because local talent alone would put UConn in the mix competitively in Hockey East


3. We are in hockey country. People like hockey in CT and a solid, big time college hockey team would be supported.

For those reasons, hockey lovers feel jilted by the university. So much opportunity is being missed to win championships and keep top state talent home.

 

[huskypantz]

I think people are frustrated with hockey for three simple reasons:

1. Because we could try and be more successful in our current form without going to Hockey East and offering scholarships, but we don't.

2. Because local talent alone would put UConn in the mix competitively in Hockey East


3. We are in hockey country. People like hockey in CT and a solid, big time college hockey team would be supported.

For those reasons, hockey lovers feel jilted by the university. So much opportunity is being missed to win championships and keep top state talent home.

I look at the fact that Hockey East, the "big boys" of college hockey, want us in their conference even though we're terrible. That alone tells me that they recognize the potential and it's not just a UConn fan's pipe dream.

 

[UConnDan97]

They only built the Freitas arena in 1996, and it only seats 3,000 (actually, it seems like it seats even less, the last time I caught a game there). That's why they are looking into a new stadium: http://excalibursportspage.com/2011/12/23/uconn-evaluating-program-changes-on-way/

"For UConn, the move could begin the process whereby they will try to financially invest in the hockey program and get it to become a national power."

Also, keep in mind that offering the scholarships means that you have to offer more scholarships to women athletes too. They will, and they will...

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I thought the capacity at Freitas was a handful shy of 2,000 (something like 1,994).

We painted ourselves in a corner (in terms of progressing the men's ice hockey program to a serious level) a few times over the past two plus decades. We actually would need some white knight to come along (similar to what happened at Penn St) in order to end up with a truly high level men's ice hockey program.

It will take serious money as the increase in scholarships will require a similar increase in women's scholarships (there is room in a number of women's sports which are less than fully funded but the reality is that each additional men's ice hockey scholarship will cost the school two athletic scholarships) and there will be necessary increases in coaching salaries and recruiting budget for men's ice hockey as well as some significant investments in facilities upgrade.

We could have made this a much easier undertaking with some reasonable planning over the years but at tiimes at appears that we have gone out of our way to make this a very difficult task. As bad as this is, it is a cakewalk when compared to men's lacrosse (where every one of Hoophound's points also apply).

 

[UConnDan97]

I think that many people are being unreasonable about the expectations of funding for the hockey team. Over the past 25 years, all UConn has done for athletics investments are:

1) Gampel Pavilion
2) Shenkman Center
3) Burton Complex
4) Rentschler Field
5) Freitas Arena (the Hut used to seat, what, 40 people??)
6) Field House / Track renovation

This is not to even mention what the school has invested through the UConn 2000 project, which was, I believe, over a billion dollars of new campus buildings, including the new Co-op, new Library, new Pharmacy building, new Business building, new Chemistry building, new Biotechnology building, etc. And now we are talking about expanding our hockey building / efforts as well as a new multi-million dollar baseball complex, and you guys are still mad about the speed of UConn's investments??? C'mon, guys!! Let's be reasonable!!

 

[Dann]

-figure out xl with the bball team, w/e the stupid rumor was just figure it out.
-wait until the pf is all built, then announce that all bball games for the next 6 years(2020) will be at xl.
-ripup the floor at gampel and put a rink. not that expensive compared to building a arena. gampel becomes a 8k rink. thats plenty for d1 puck in ct for as long as the program goes.
-screw the bean pot. call up yale, quinn and shu and play the "charter oak" or something in xl or at the rent every year.
-gampel is a small reno as is game on in 2015. from 15-20 keep the $$ quietly building and build a 15k bball arena on campus or down the street(dt storrs). leave xl for good. now xl can do all of that revamp stuff that they could never get the $$ straight for. have your ahl team and your d league team and some other events aand a couple uconn things a year(only a couple).
-now the sports setup is better than ever at uconn. everything is fairly new and on campus cept football which is building a fanbase being in hartford. 30 years down the road, it will finally be time for uconn to put a 55kish stadium on campus and really be a gem in the sports world.

 

[UConnDan97]

-figure out xl with the bball team, w/e the stupid rumor was just figure it out.
-wait until the pf is all built, then announce that all bball games for the next 6 years(2020) will be at xl.
-ripup the floor at gampel and put a rink. not that expensive compared to building a arena. gampel becomes a 8k rink. thats plenty for d1 puck in ct for as long as the program goes.
-screw the bean pot. call up yale, quinn and shu and play the "charter oak" or something in xl or at the rent every year.
-gampel is a small reno as is game on in 2015. from 15-20 keep the $$ quietly building and build a 15k bball arena on campus or down the street(dt storrs). leave xl for good. now xl can do all of that revamp stuff that they could never get the $$ straight for. have your ahl team and your d league team and some other events aand a couple uconn things a year(only a couple).
-now the sports setup is better than ever at uconn. everything is fairly new and on campus cept football which is building a fanbase being in hartford. 30 years down the road, it will finally be time for uconn to put a 55kish stadium on campus and really be a gem in the sports world.

HuskyfanDan, did I just read that you wanted to turn Gampel into the new hockey rink??? You have to lay off the Captain Morgan's, brotha!

 

[Dann]

HuskyfanDan, did I just read that you wanted to turn Gampel into the new hockey rink??? You have to lay off the Captain Morgan's, brotha!

this should have been done 15 years ago. put the fball stadium down the street from campus and turn gampel to a ice rink. ptcs and local balloon knots imho have set uconn back 50 years fball wise in the long run. we have taken that shot to the heart and rna with it and still created a great program and are as results seeing nice results in hartford. i still am and will always be a play sports on campus or down the street opinion guy but w/e.

 

[UConnDan97]

this should have been done 15 years ago. put the fball stadium down the street from campus and turn gampel to a ice rink. ptcs and local balloon knots imho have set uconn back 50 years fball wise in the long run. we have taken that shot to the heart and rna with it and still created a great program and are as results seeing nice results in hartford. i still am and will always be a play sports on campus or down the street opinion guy but w/e.

I understand your desire to have the football field on campus, and I think that it would have been better if it was on campus (not that this has anything to do with turning Gampel into anything other than the mecca of basketball that it is today). I think the main problem for that really is the fact that there is no good road to funnel in 40,000+ people onto campus. Yes, the town has something to do with that, but it is in large part due to the fact that 40,000 people would shut Rt. 195 down. If they could build a better highway in and out, I think that UConn has plenty of land on campus and would have / should have done it. The allure of East Hartford was that it was serviced by I-84, I-91, Rt 2, Rt. 15, and I-384, so there was plenty of capability to get that many people in and out.

There is no doubt in my mind that having a football stadium on campus increases butts in the seats and makes for a more hostile home environment, especially during mediocre years where the "fair-weather" people stay home. But Gampel is hallowed ground, my friend...