I keep hearing how UAH isn't a good fit for the CCHA and how the Chargers wouldn't make in the CCHA but UAH has outdrawn the bottom teams of the CCHA with a
CHA schedule. What does that say about the bottom teams attendance wise in the CCHA? Miami with the team they have should be selling that beautiful arena out and they are not. What does that say about the CCHA? As a league the CCHA isn't drawing like the WCHA, in fact it isn't even close. Imagine what Huntsville could draw against the likes of Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State and Miami. UAH drew their best crowds against their heated rival BSU with 3474 and 4368 respectively. Below I have included the number for
attendance for the CCHA. The first number is the # of games, second number is attendance average and the last number is percentage of capacity.
Michigan 19 6714 6,637 101.2
Michigan State 15 5473 6,470 84.6
Ohio State 20 4181 17,500 23.9
Northern Michigan 19 2932 3,754 78.1
Alaska 20 2708 4,324 62.6
Notre Dame 18 2703 2,667 101.3
UAH 10 2688 7,000 38.4
Miami 19 2491 3,200 77.8
Lake Superior 18 2257 3,373 66.9
Western Michigan 21 2112 3,667 57.6
Bowling Green 20 2044 5,000 40.9
Ferris State 18 1424 2,493 57.1
Here are the attendance numbers for the teams that were in the Frozen Four.
Boston University 22 5055 6,221 81.3
Vermont 20 3985 4,035 98.8
Bemidji State 15 1975 2,500 79.0
Miami 19 2491 3,200 77.8
what about UNO's numbers
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have with UNO is that they have a beautiful new arena that can seat a tremendous amount of fans, yet only half the building is ever full on a given night. That tells me something. It tells me that hockey is not important to most people there. That's why they're in the Cup Cake to begin with. Can't compete with the ultra-competitive WCHA and can't fill their arena with fans. Huntsville? Come on Goon, gimme a break. If they were in the WCHA, there's a chance they wouldn't win a single league game.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying the WCHA for Huntsville.
ReplyDeleteWho said anything about attendance? I'm not sure where this line of thinking or argument comes from. I don't think anyone is too concerned about their impact on the CCHA's attendance. Let's face it, NMU and UNO aren't going to lift conference foes' numbers any more/less than UAH. For the record, a quick review of the USCHO numbers appears to have overstated OSU's actual attendance and understated Miami's so I don't know the overall accuracy of those.
ReplyDeleteWhy not UAH is because I'd hate to trade down to UAH and lose either UNO or NMU. From a competitive stand point, it doesn't add up. Plus, I believe UAH is closer to folding up shop than is BSU. Accordingly, I'd hate to take them on only to have them fold anyway shortly thereafter - and have lost either of the two current CCHA members.
ReplyDeleteDanton Cole is a first class coach and is one of the few ex players to have both an NCAA title and Stanley Cup as a players. In other words he wasn't an excuse me hire. I have been told by hockey people that UAH is committed to hockey and is a lot better off than some are giving them credit for.
ReplyDeleteJust because some one says that UAH isn't going to get accepted into the CCHA doesn't mean it is true. I was told by a blue bird that the CCHA was impressed with the UAH bid. Also given the current state of some of the teams in the CCHA I am not so sure that they would be down grading by adding UAH. What about BGSU who is hanging on by a thread. I would probably wonder about LSSU and a couple others as well..
Great insight. UAH has a great tradition as a program, just because they have seen some poor years through a rocky CHA Conference, does not mean that they don't recruit well, put together competitive games and have a program that can grow, because they do and can.
ReplyDeleteEddy UNO averaged 6160 per game last year.
ReplyDelete