I'm not being a Richard. But here are Hockey East bylaws, in case anyone cares to read:
http://www.hockeyeastonline.com/pdf/M & W BY-LAWS/Revised Men's By-Laws September 19.pdf.
Unless I have completely missed it, it doesn't address whether a facility needs to be on-campus or if it can be off-campus. It just outlines the minimum facility feature requirements. An on-campus facility could be one of those "desk drawer" requirements communicated unofficially. Personally speaking, this doesn't change my opinion that UConn needs to build an on-campus facility, even if it's just for practice, conditioning and a few games. Here's what I'm talking about...
Article VI — Program Standards
Section VI.1 Purpose of Standards: The standards, as described below, were developed by Hockey East to provide guidance, support, and assistance to all member institutions in develop- ing and maintaining men’s hockey programs of national caliber and competitiveness. These standards will also facilitate greater understanding of the responsibilities and obligations associ- ated with Hockey East membership. These standards also provide a clear baseline in terms of the resources, human and fiscal, and other support required of each member and will enable
the association to maintain and further develop its position and profile as the strongest hockey conference in the country. Lastly, standards provide prospective new members with an under- standing of the nature of the league and the resources required to be successful as a member of the league.
Section VI.2 Framework for Standards:
Standards reflect an intention to build and retain competitiveness on a national scale
Standards reflect an intention to provide high quality experiences for all student-athletes and fans Standards will be implemented over a 2-3 year phase-in period.Specific consequences/sanctions will be imposed upon institutions not in compliance with stan- dards
Section VI.3 Standards Content Areas:
A. Institutional Support
All Hockey East member institutions must provide the following forms of support for their men’s hockey program• 18 full scholarships available annually
• 1 full-time head coach and 2 full time salaried assistant coaches with 100% of their duties assigned to men’s hockey
• Full-time sports information staff member with significant responsibilities in men’s hockey and who travels to all away games• Full-time marketing/promotions professional staff member(s) with significant responsibili- ties in marketing and promoting men’s hockey
• Full-time staff member with significant portion of their time devoted to men’s hockey equipment matters and who travels to all away games
- Full-time certified athletic trainer assigned to men’s hockey and who travels to all away games
- Access to specialized medical professionals and services and including a physician and EMT’s on-site at all home games.
B. Facilities
• Minimum seating capacity 4000 with 20% of capacity being chair-back seats. Current HEA members must have a minimum capacity of 2000 with 20% of capacity being chair-back seats.
• Hockey East logo prominently displayed in the facility and on the ice surface. Logo size to be consistent with others in the facility.
• Visiting team locker room must be a minimum of 500 sf (not including showers and toi- lets) and able to accommodate student-athletes, staff, and equipment.• Locker room(s) with private shower and toilet to accommodate game officials
• Game time-clock connected directly to the scoreboard clock in home, visitors, and of- ficials locker rooms
• Locker rooms equipped with dry erase boards and markers MEN’S HOCKEY EAST BY-LAWS — PAGE 6
• Media/TV capability – sufficient electrical power and number of outlets in media locations for the operation and transmission of television, radio broadcasts, and for the operation of trans- mission equipment and computer terminals used by the media• A minimum of 110 vertical foot candles of light evenly balanced over the entire ice surface • Press box to comfortably accommodate print and electronic working media, visiting team coaches, and officials.
• 110 –volt electrical outlets with one outlet for every two seats in the press box
• Power requirements for television production of 200 amps, 3-phase to the trucks; of 150 amps, 3-phase combined to the satellite links and of 150 amps, 3-phase to the announcers’ posi- tion.
- Defined media area for post-game interviews
- High-speed data lines and/or wireless internet capability
- Spectator amenities/services including clean and well presented lobby and display areas
- Clean and sufficient restroom areas for capacity crowds
- Multiple concessions areas and area for sale of team/league merchandise
C. Competitive Aspects
• Members must schedule a minimum of 34 games against NCAA Division I institutions
• No games (exhibition or non-conference) shall be permitted with NCAA Division II, III or non-varsity hockey-playing institutions
D. Team Services
• Unless restricted by the host institution’s intercollegiate facility schedule, practice time must be provided to the visiting team on game days, when requested by the visiting team no less than 14 days prior to the game.• Visiting team and officials’ locker rooms shall be supplied with towels, soap, and re- freshments. On-ice officials shall also be provided with a post-game meal and parking for their vehicle(s).
- Water, coolers, cups, ice and towels shall be provided for immediate care/treatment pur- poses
- Taping table and an exercise bicycle shall be provided in the visiting team locker room or vicinity
- The athletic training room shall be made available to visiting teams for treatment and rehabilitation purposes• A physician shall be available for visiting teams upon request during all games
• A video feed will be provided during games to visiting teams
E. Marketing, Media & Event Management
• Season tickets sales plan must be developed and implemented each season
• Playoff ticket option must be made available with all season ticket packages
• Average attendance for each season must be a minimum of 2000
• A seasonal marketing and promotions plan must be developed and implemented annually • Each member must have radio broadcasts of all games
• Each member must video stream all home games, unless restricted by existing contracts. • Each member must develop and maintain a high quality website, linked to the HEA website, which includes up-to-date information, statistics, features, etc. about it’s men’s hockey program
• Each member must organize various promotions to generate excitement and increase the entertainment value for spectators at all games• Each member shall cooperate with HEA in all branding initiatives
• Institutions must publish a high quality media guide and/or game program which includes coach/player profiles and program/individuals statistics
MEN’S HOCKEY EAST BY-LAWS — PAGE 7
• Hockey East logo must appear prominently (front or back cover) in all hockey-related publications• A minimum of 3 PA announcements which includes day-of out of town scores, and other Hockey East announcements (tournament tickets, etc)• Institutions are encouraged to develop entertaining pre-game introductions which con- form to pre-game protocol• Provide at no cost one parking spot for visiting team officials/athletic director, if requested.