Just some recent items regarding goings-on with schools and leagues relative to the NSIC, the WCHA and Minnesota State Athletics.
The transition for Nebraska Omaha from the CCHA to the WCHA has gone quite well for the Mavericks. And according to Tom Shatel...UNO fits the WCHA Like a Glove.
And speaking of schools joining leagues, 'twould appear that the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is open for business. We're hearing that the RMAC has extended invitations to three schools. Black Hills State, South Dakota School of Mines and Eastern New Mexico are in the mx and you can find coverage regarding this development here, here, here and here. Along with teams from the NSIC, teams from the RMAC make up the NCAA Division II Central Region.
Long-time St. Cloud State director of athletics Morris Kurtz announced that he intends to retire at the conclusion of the 2011-12 school year. That announcement was followed by another in which SCSU announced that former University of North Dakota men's hockey coach and athletic director Gino Gasparini has been hired as "special advisor of athletics." Not sure exactly what this means, and we could be wrong, but it seems unlikely that Gino is the "Athletic Director in Waiting." He was the Sioux men's hockey coach from 1978-94 and served as the AD up until he left the school in 1994. He was the commissioner of the United States Hockey League for 13 years up until 2009. Morris Kurtz announces his retirement now to give the school 16 months to work on finding its replacement. More likely Gino is brought in to assist with the renovations of the National Hockey Center, fundraising and the potential break-up up the WCHA. Interesting, though that this announcement comes on the heels of administrative cuts within Athletics at SCSU.
Here's hoping you all have a good weekend. It's great to be a Maverick!
How will the University of Nebraska-Omaha moving to D-I and joining the Summit League effect Minnesota State? I am a student at the University of Michigan, and I have been wondering why there isn't a D-I FCS or FBS league with the upper great plains and Midwest schools? I understand money ultimately makes that decision. UNO is going to drop wrestling and football. I think it would be cool if a new D-1 Conference is formed with these teams:
ReplyDelete1. Minnesota State
2. UMinnesota-Duluth
3. North Dakota
4. North Dakota State
5. South Dakota
6. South Dakota State
7. UNebraska-Omaha
8. MICHIGAN TECH.
9. UWisconsin- Milwaukee
10. UWisconsin- Green Bay
Possibly:
11. Northern Iowa
12. Northern Michigan
The Headquarters and championships would be in Minneapolis. You could call it "The Northland Conference" or something, I really don't care. Im personally very ignorant on all of these matters. I was thinking that there are several universities that are similar and in one region, around one big city. The conference could even support Ice hockey!!!
Just some thoughts. heres my email if you are at all interested in responding. seldon@umich.edu. thanks for your time.