For a lower-level hockey program which hasn't had several than a few partial scholarships until now, what's the surprise? For a UCONN alumnus, why wouldn't you support the school now versus joining a bandwagon when the Huskies' become more successful -- kind of like far too many Yale/Quinninpiac bandwagoners now?
Mostly we played the same teams we play now. Actually that probably isn't exactly true, but not so far off either. The MAAC which eventually morphed into Atlantic Hockey was originally set up to allow programs that had been playing D3 but were otherwise D1 to keep hockey programs. It was the result of an NCAA rules change that pretty much said if you're D1 you can only be D1. There were also a couple of programs AIC, Bentley that were D2 but since the NCAA dropped the D2 championship they elected to play up which was allowed. But basically UConn used ot play a lot of the D3 schools in New York and new England, and played in the ECAC East. Our oldest rivalry is of all places, AIC. First team UConn played as a varsity program and played them I think every year since. Also played Holy Cross, Quinnipiac, Fairfield, Iona, some of the Massachusetts State schools. Fairgfield and Iona were original MAAC members but ultimately dropped hockey.I was being sarcastic...
I floored with players when we were DIII. I went to a game when we were DIII. I can't remember who we played. And I was going to Yale/QU games last year. I was not expecting them to end up in the title game.
Sure, the aspiration is to be better than UMass, and at the top of HE, but as far as a short-term goal, that's not exactly a realistic goal with where the program is starting. In five seasons if UConn is at or just above the level of UMass/UVM/Merrimack - the 6-9 (of 12) slots in HE, that would be a heck of an accomplishment.Sarcasm doesn't play well in text
brasssbonanzaa: I seriously hope we aspire to be better than UMass. ;-)
That being said I'm pretty happy with the season thus far (with the exception of the Bentley game). I just wish I could make a couple of games.. but my son's hockey season is pretty much killing that idea.
Have to agree that an on-campus facility is a must. From what I hear, and I have no idea how accurate it is, they will have either a new or vastly expanded Frietas coming up. I have heard that 2016 is the target date, but one person told me that's the date for the plans. Another told me that's whne it will be opened. Plan remains the same to play some games in Hartford and maybe 1-2 per year in Bridgeport, too.I'm with you guys... my tongue was firmly planted in my check with the better than UMass aspiration. I mean honestly UConn going to Hockey East is huge for UConn... from zero scholarships to the best conference in America in a couple of years. The real ceiling for me depends on what resources the AD decides to devote to it. I really see an on-campus facility as a must. The only real downside to UConn joining HEA for me is now my son has less of a chance to play hockey for UConn.
