July 1 - Moving Day 2024

[zimmy21]

I absolutely agree that SCSU and UMD would rather be in a geographically smaller conference with familiar foes- as would Bemidji, Mankato, and Augie. The fans want that. Heck, I want that. But forcing those schools to park their D1 hockey programs in an all D2 conference isn't going to happen. Fans may not prefer to see the Michigan CCHA schools, but it hasn't seemed to hurt attendance.

We already are essentially in an all D2 conference, save for Bowling Green which doesn't give a crap about the NSIC or Gliac schools. They got left behind and would gladly take the first boat out of the CCHA.

[Bballfan]

Too bad about the WAC, I've been following that conference (starting with the New Mexico Lobos on KKOB AM radio - we get it here in parts of SoCal at night) since the 1971-72 athletic season.

They use to have some wild seasons in hoops and football for sure! You had the Air Force, Boise State, BYU in football. New Mexico State in hoops. And conference tournament in hoops that has been in Vegas for several years.

[crixus]

https://bigskyconf.com/news/2025/6/2...g-in-2026.aspx

Southern Utah and Utah Tech to the Big Sky. RIP WAC.

Too bad about the WAC, I've been following that conference (starting with the New Mexico Lobos on KKOB AM radio - we get it here in parts of SoCal at night) since the 1971-72 athletic season.

[njmav1]

How could you see that Mankato, Bemidji, and Augustana don't want to be in more condensed conference with familiar foes? I don't get that logic. I know that fans would much rather see UMD and SCSU in Mankato every year vs Lake Superior, Ferris, NMU, MTU or Bowling Green.

UMD and SCSU might fight it but what are they going to do? Go to the GLIAC for all Sports? D1? SCSU is lucky to still be in the NSIC.

I absolutely agree that SCSU and UMD would rather be in a geographically smaller conference with familiar foes- as would Bemidji, Mankato, and Augie. The fans want that. Heck, I want that. But forcing those schools to park their D1 hockey programs in an all D2 conference isn't going to happen. Fans may not prefer to see the Michigan CCHA schools, but it hasn't seemed to hurt attendance.

[laker]

https://bigskyconf.com/news/2025/6/2...g-in-2026.aspx

Southern Utah and Utah Tech to the Big Sky. RIP WAC.

[zimmy21]

The NSIC is nothing like the B1G- not even at the D2 level. And by NSIC, you mean the member schools. I don't see Mankato, Bemidji, or Augustana voting for that. I don't know how many votes are required to "force" the schools to join an NSIC hockey conference, but the 5 hockey schools would be "no" votes.

Now it would be interesting if that did actually happen (NSIC forcing their hand). That may precipitate a split, something we haven't talked about here in while.

How could you see that Mankato, Bemidji, and Augustana don't want to be in more condensed conference with familiar foes? I don't get that logic. I know that fans would much rather see UMD and SCSU in Mankato every year vs Lake Superior, Ferris, NMU, MTU or Bowling Green.

UMD and SCSU might fight it but what are they going to do? Go to the GLIAC for all Sports? D1? SCSU is lucky to still be in the NSIC.

[crixus]

NAIA Xavier LA to join SSAC in 2026.

https://xulagold.com/news/2025/6/23/xula-ssac.aspx

Living in SoCal the first thing I thought was...when did Xavier open a campus in Los Angeles? And then I remembered LA is the abbreviation for Louisiana. LOL

[laker]

NAIA Xavier LA to join SSAC in 2026.

https://xulagold.com/news/2025/6/23/xula-ssac.aspx

[njmav1]

That's why I said the NSIC leadership could force their hand. Just like the Big Ten did.

The NSIC is nothing like the B1G- not even at the D2 level. And by NSIC, you mean the member schools. I don't see Mankato, Bemidji, or Augustana voting for that. I don't know how many votes are required to "force" the schools to join an NSIC hockey conference, but the 5 hockey schools would be "no" votes.

Now it would be interesting if that did actually happen (NSIC forcing their hand). That may precipitate a split, something we haven't talked about here in while.

[njmav1]

Who's to say that Bowling Green is acting in the best interest for the NSIC schools as it stands now? Or any of the NCHC schools for UMD and SCSU?

It's possible, but unlikely. BGSU was courted by the NCHC but they said no. BGSU held the rights to the CCHA's name and intellectual property. So to me, it doesn't make sense to work against the other schools. The same goes for the NCHC with regards to UMD and SCSU. Duluth has won national championships as an NCHC school and SCSU has recently been to a couple of frozen fours.

Now would BGSU focus on their own interests if it meant getting some old CCHA schools back in the fold at the expense of losing Mankato and Bemidji? Sure, I can see that. But I don't see Western Michigan leaving the NCHC and Miami keeps insisting the same.

[zimmy21]

I don't think any of the current NSIC D1 programs would want to be in a conference with no D1 members. The conference would have no say in any matters that involve them.

Who's to say that Bowling Green is acting in the best interest for the NSIC schools as it stands now? Or any of the NCHC schools for UMD and SCSU?

[zimmy21]

Agreed. UMD and SCSU don't want to leave the NCHC. I don't think any NCHC school would leave-except maybe IMO Denver and NoDak if they got the right offer.

That's why I said the NSIC leadership could force their hand. Just like the Big Ten did.

[zimmy21]

Are you saying the NSIC sponsor D1 men's hockey if Jamestown/Minot (and I believe Mary as well) move up to NCAA D1?

Yes exactly

[njmav1]

That's a true point - I just want MSU out of the CCHA so bad I might actually enjoy the thought lol.

I think regardless of what the CCHA teams want to do, UMD/SCSU would never leave the NCHC. It would be like leaving the SEC for CSUA or something.

Agreed. UMD and SCSU don't want to leave the NCHC. I don't think any NCHC school would leave-except maybe IMO Denver and NoDak if they got the right offer.

[SW_Mustang]

Random fact - but Crookston used to have varsity hockey in NCAA DIII. I believe they were barred from the NCAA tournament. The conference decided they wanted an auto-bid, so UMC was dropped. They ended the program as a result because there wasn't another conference to join, and they didn't have the money to go DI. Ironically, the conference that kicked them out has since folded themselves.

They recently started up an ACHA program in the last few years. As far as I can tell, it's technically club but gets a lot of university support - kind of a hybrid between club and varsity program.

The NCAA should really adopt an open division for these types of schools - schools that want hockey but don't have any other options. They'd get a lot of membership.