Personally, I believe that UAH would be a good fit in the CCHA and we have broken down the distances from UAH to the various CCHA schools. There was some good news about a week and a half ago when it was announced that BGSU getting four (4) million dollars for it's hockey arena. It would appear that one obstacle had been removed for UAH to possibly join the CCHA.
The future of the University of Alabama-Huntsville hockey program could be decided within 48 hours.
The Chargers applied to join the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, which includes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Notre Dame. League representatives meet today and Tuesday, but UAH has no guarantee it will be admitted.
"It would be the equivalent of us getting into the SEC if we had a football team," said UAH coach Danton Cole, who is in Slovakia as an assistant for the U.S. Under-18 select team. "It is that big and I think an important part of growing the reputation and visibility of our university and city.
"They could approve us, they could say no. Or they could just not make a decision."
UAH is the lone member of the soon-to-be-defunct College Hockey Association without a new conference. Other teams in the league - which will fold after the upcoming season - have found new homes: Bemidji State joining the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and Robert Morris and Niagara will entering Atlantic Hockey.
CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos - who toured the UAH campus and Von Braun Center in June - was noncommittal about a decision.
"Our goal will be to make a decision just as soon as we can," Anastos told the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. "The next time we meet ... we will have plenty of discussion on this topic. However, there is no guarantee that we will make a final decision by our August meeting."
The Chargers' application is not the only issue facing the CCHA. It is also considering the state of Bowling Green's program, where the athletic department had to slash millions from its budget. [AL.com]
The CCHA has denied UAH's request according to USCHO. Sad, sad, sad....
ReplyDeleteMillsy any reason why?
ReplyDeleteFrom the CCHA Press Release:
ReplyDelete“The league completed its due diligence of the application for membership submitted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville with careful consideration and discussion of various issues,” CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos said in a news release. “At this time we have chosen to maintain our membership at its current level.
“The CCHA will remain focused on maintaining and strengthening our existing members to ensure the conference’s continued success and long-term viability.”