ithacat

Syracuse fans are presently occupied with worrying about whether the football program will ever get fixed. There is, however, some increased talk about hockey. That will most likely either heat up or cool down depending upon what type of success the women experience and how quickly it happens -- if it happens. Syracuse would probably have to add some additional women's teams for Title IX reasons before adding a men's hockey team -- golf, gymnastics, fencing, and skiing would seem likely candidates. SU's AD is a monster fundraiser so getting seed money might not be too big an issue, assuming the economy doesn't stay in the dumps too long. The AD has also been building a relationship with the Syracuse Crunch owner and the women have already played a game in the Crunch's home, which is actually closer to the main campus than the women's rink on south campus, so the men would probably have a short term home in the War Memorial. If this were to happen in the next few years, SU would probably hope to join Hockey East (along with fellow Big East member UConn). Of course, there would be a significant number of SU fans who would rather see them join a conference comprised of Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

FWIW, Cornell doesn't offer athletic scholarships, nor do any of the Ivy League programs. Cornell, of course, has academic scholarships available and normal financial aid avenues, as do the other Ivies. I don't think students generally default (or fall) to Cornell; generally, if one ends up at Cornell that's the atmosphere and challenge one wants. Of course, if Riley wants to "fall" to Cornell, I'm sure he'll be welcomed with open arms.

I hope the 5-game series works out. Thanksgiving weekend in NYC...Cornell-BU at MSG...what a way to begin the series. Of course, I think Cornell-BU should play every year. That was a pretty good rivalry in the pre-HE days. Is the Green Line-Park St-Red Line a safe ride after the game?

Lately, there's been an unsettled feeling that there's a problem with that date. Nothing official, yet, however. Didn't Parker say there might be a problem? I'll be seeing Agganis for the first time this Friday, taking in the BU-Vermont game. Then it's on to Cambridge for Cornell-Harvard.

I'm sure Cornell will look forward to playing in a 1st class arena and against a 1st class team. It's always an honor playing against the best.

In Brian Sullivan's weekly ECACHL column, Coach Schafer mentions future agreements with BU, UNH, and North Dakota. Anyone hear when Cornell & North Dakota are scheduled to go?

Actually, Brendon plays defense. UNH, Michigan, and Denver already have some nice center prospects lined up for next year (and beyond). If that has any influence it looks like Cornell & North Dakota might be in a better position. Of course, if he wants to play with his brother and get an Ivy education the deal is done.

Link worked for me -- thanks. Moulson never played lax for Cornell, at least not that I can remember. This past year, Cornell's hockey season wrapped up at about the midpoint of their lax season. So it would seem to be possible, though tough. This year's Cornell lax team welcomes Minnesota's Ryan Hurley (Holy Angels' hockey captain). Too bad he wasn't a blueliner...man, could they use some added depth this year.

Riley is the brother of Brendon, who'll be a freshman blueliner for Cornell this year. Pending his academic profile he figures to be high on Cornell's wishlist. Riley is also reportedly a talented lacrosse player. It would probably be impossible to play both in college, but if it could be done one would suspect Cornell might be high on Riley's list as well.

The CHA has such a crazy geographic profile it's hard to imagine a new program like Syracuse (if it were to happened, of course) being too anxious to join. Of course, like you said there aren't exactly a lot of options. If Syracuse made a committment to hockey I could see SU and Niagara going to the AHA in a second, if the conference was willing to expand to 12. SU has a natural rivarly with UConn and an SU-RIT rivalry would be a natural. That would kill the CHA... So, in reality, is the CHA courting schools to start/elevate programs?

No news recently. There was an article last summer that had SU's AD talking about looking into hockey. Supposedly he sent someone to the women's FF last year to collect info. Apparently the idea would be to add a women's program first then add the men's program. Financing and facilities would seem to be serious issues. SU's pumping a lot of money into the football progarm and has to get back to being a bowl-level program. On the facilities side it'd be interesting to see if the Syracuse Crunch and SU would be willing to build a new arena together (I think the Crunch are badly in need of a new one). I also wonder what Jim Boeheim thinks about adding a hockey team? Haven't heard if he's spoken on the idea.