If Big Ten Offers UND Should They Join?

[dlsiouxfan]

I'm not a hockey fan but UND would be foolish not to join a Big Ten Hockey Conference if invited.  SCSU, Bemidji, Mankato, CC, etc... are rinky-dink athletic programs that UND should do whatever it takes to distance themselves from in the future.

[fightingsioux4life]

10 minutes ago, dlsiouxfan said:

I'm not a hockey fan but UND would be foolish not to join a Big Ten Hockey Conference if invited.  SCSU, Bemidji, Mankato, CC, etc... are rinky-dink athletic programs that UND should do whatever it takes to distance themselves from in the future.

I suppose you want to go FBS in football too? Because the Big Sky is a "rinky-dink" conference?

[Cratter]

1 hour ago, tnt said:

Bet that the games against UND will be full next year. To go from UND needing Minnesota to the UND games being the only games Minnesota will have with a full arena is quite ironic. 

Thanks to all the UND fan that will be there.

[dlsiouxfan]

21 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

I suppose you want to go FBS in football too? Because the Big Sky is a "rinky-dink" conference?

I would absolutely support a move by UND to FBS football.  As to your comment about the Big Sky,  schools like Montana, Montana State, and UC Davis are in no way comparable with any school in the NCHC other than Miami of Ohio.  I will concede, however, that other than the top half of the Big Sky, most of the MVFC, and about half of the CAA that FCS football is filled with schools who are not peers at all with UND. 

[UNDBIZ]

16 minutes ago, dlsiouxfan said:

I would absolutely support a move by UND to FBS football.  As to your comment about the Big Sky,  schools like Montana, Montana State, and UC Davis are in no way comparable with any school in the NCHC other than Miami of Ohio.  I will concede, however, that other than the top half of the Big Sky, most of the MVFC, and about half of the CAA that FCS football is filled with schools who are not peers at all with UND. 

WMU (FBS), Denver, and Omaha are all D1 as well.

[rainman1745]

10 hours ago, GFG said:

Butts in seat I'll bet my life savings that Minnesota would still be 2nd in attendance in the NCHC this year. UMD is more empty than Mariucci every week with a smaller arena (even the UND series had tons of open seats), CC and Denver only have a couple hundred fans each. Omaha has the novelty of a brand new arena, but it'll die down. St Cloud is rarely over half full, with UND and Minnesota games being the only exceptions. And a lot of those fans arent cheering for St Cloud. I can't speak for Western Michigan and Miami because I haven't seen much games out there. 

Regarding Wisconsin ...can you blame them? Their team is beyond bad and have an extremely boring style of play. Why WOULD anyone want to go to games? Outside of Minnesota games the old Ralph was pretty damn empty when UND was struggling too. 

You can't group UND in the group spending much less money than B1G teams because und spends just as much, and actually probably more, than they do on hockey. It's the other NCHC schools that are nowhere near UND's or  the B1G teams budgets. 

Clarifying for a UNO perspective (not many boards out there to read up on college hockey)....

The novelty of a brand new arena was a selling point for the opening series, nothing more. If you look at UNO's attendance numbers ever since the program started, it has been steady in the 4-6 range. Support for the team is higher than ever. Season tickets sold out and more students are attending now that the arena is on campus (and serves beer). Still room to grow, though. There is a very solid core of dedicated fans down here. Even when Husker football and Creighton basketball were playing at the same time (very popular local events) UNO still got a great turn out for the Minnesota-Duluth series.

Here are the current attendance numbers (first is the attendance, second is the size of the arena, the third represents the percentage of the arena that is filled each game):

1) North Dakota 11,738,-11,634, (100.9)

2) Minnesota 9,680-10,000 (96.8)

3) Wisconsin 8,690-15,325 (56.7)

4) Nebraska-Omaha 6,698-7,898 (84.8)

5) Minnesota-Duluth 6,387-6,600 (96.8)

6) Penn State 6,091-5,782 (105.3)

7) Colorado College 6,020-7,343 (82.0)

8) Massachusetts-Lowell 5,455-6,003(90.9)

9) Michigan 5,351-5,800 (92.3)

10) Boston College 5,307-7,884(67.3)

11) Denver 5,200-6,026(86.3)

12) Ohio State 5,004-17,500(28.6)

13) Connecticut 4,982-9,000(55.4)

14) Michigan State 4,903-6,470(75.8)

15) New Hampshire 4,871-6,110(79.7)

 

18) St. Cloud State 4,293-5,159(83.2)

31) Western Michigan 2,875-3,667(78.4)

38) Miami 2,435-3,200 (76.1)

 

All Big 10 teams are in the top 15, but I would say the NCHC is still represented pretty well. Not much of an argument to make against the NCHC as far as attendance goes.

[UNDBIZ]

17 minutes ago, rainman1745 said:

Here are the current attendance numbers (first is the attendance, second is the size of the arena, the third represents the percentage of the arena that is filled each game):

1) North Dakota 11,738,-11,634, (100.9)

2) Minnesota 9,680-10,000 (96.8)

3) Wisconsin 8,690-15,325 (56.7)

4) Nebraska-Omaha 6,698-7,898 (84.8)

5) Minnesota-Duluth 6,387-6,600 (96.8)

6) Penn State 6,091-5,782 (105.3)

7) Colorado College 6,020-7,343 (82.0)

8) Massachusetts-Lowell 5,455-6,003(90.9)

9) Michigan 5,351-5,800 (92.3)

10) Boston College 5,307-7,884(67.3)

11) Denver 5,200-6,026(86.3)

12) Ohio State 5,004-17,500(28.6)

13) Connecticut 4,982-9,000(55.4)

14) Michigan State 4,903-6,470(75.8)

15) New Hampshire 4,871-6,110(79.7)

Wow.  Good for CC.  Giving that kind of support with the downturn in their program speaks volumes.

[tnt]

36 minutes ago, rainman1745 said:

Clarifying for a UNO perspective (not many boards out there to read up on college hockey)....

The novelty of a brand new arena was a selling point for the opening series, nothing more. If you look at UNO's attendance numbers ever since the program started, it has been steady in the 4-6 range. Support for the team is higher than ever. Season tickets sold out and more students are attending now that the arena is on campus (and serves beer). Still room to grow, though. There is a very solid core of dedicated fans down here. Even when Husker football and Creighton basketball were playing at the same time (very popular local events) UNO still got a great turn out for the Minnesota-Duluth series.

Here are the current attendance numbers (first is the attendance, second is the size of the arena, the third represents the percentage of the arena that is filled each game):

1) North Dakota 11,738,-11,634, (100.9)

2) Minnesota 9,680-10,000 (96.8)

3) Wisconsin 8,690-15,325 (56.7)

4) Nebraska-Omaha 6,698-7,898 (84.8)

5) Minnesota-Duluth 6,387-6,600 (96.8)

6) Penn State 6,091-5,782 (105.3)

7) Colorado College 6,020-7,343 (82.0)

8) Massachusetts-Lowell 5,455-6,003(90.9)

9) Michigan 5,351-5,800 (92.3)

10) Boston College 5,307-7,884(67.3)

11) Denver 5,200-6,026(86.3)

12) Ohio State 5,004-17,500(28.6)

13) Connecticut 4,982-9,000(55.4)

14) Michigan State 4,903-6,470(75.8)

15) New Hampshire 4,871-6,110(79.7)

 

18) St. Cloud State 4,293-5,159(83.2)

31) Western Michigan 2,875-3,667(78.4)

38) Miami 2,435-3,200 (76.1)

 

All Big 10 teams are in the top 15, but I would say the NCHC is still represented pretty well. Not much of an argument to make against the NCHC as far as attendance goes.

Would love to see figures for actual butts in the seats, as Wisconsin and Minnesota don't have near the number as the paid attendance figures.  

[Benny Baker]

11 minutes ago, tnt said:

Would love to see figures for actual butts in the seats, as Wisconsin and Minnesota don't have near the number as the paid attendance figures.  

Right. I can state as a fact that minnesota's attendance this year is no where close to what that figure represents.  From what I hear, wisconsin's probably is not that high either. 

[82SiouxGuy]

1 hour ago, rainman1745 said:

Clarifying for a UNO perspective (not many boards out there to read up on college hockey)....

The novelty of a brand new arena was a selling point for the opening series, nothing more. If you look at UNO's attendance numbers ever since the program started, it has been steady in the 4-6 range. Support for the team is higher than ever. Season tickets sold out and more students are attending now that the arena is on campus (and serves beer). Still room to grow, though. There is a very solid core of dedicated fans down here. Even when Husker football and Creighton basketball were playing at the same time (very popular local events) UNO still got a great turn out for the Minnesota-Duluth series.

Here are the current attendance numbers (first is the attendance, second is the size of the arena, the third represents the percentage of the arena that is filled each game):

1) North Dakota 11,738,-11,634, (100.9)

2) Minnesota 9,680-10,000 (96.8)

3) Wisconsin 8,690-15,325 (56.7)

4) Nebraska-Omaha 6,698-7,898 (84.8)

5) Minnesota-Duluth 6,387-6,600 (96.8)

6) Penn State 6,091-5,782 (105.3)

7) Colorado College 6,020-7,343 (82.0)

8) Massachusetts-Lowell 5,455-6,003(90.9)

9) Michigan 5,351-5,800 (92.3)

10) Boston College 5,307-7,884(67.3)

11) Denver 5,200-6,026(86.3)

12) Ohio State 5,004-17,500(28.6)

13) Connecticut 4,982-9,000(55.4)

14) Michigan State 4,903-6,470(75.8)

15) New Hampshire 4,871-6,110(79.7)

 

18) St. Cloud State 4,293-5,159(83.2)

31) Western Michigan 2,875-3,667(78.4)

38) Miami 2,435-3,200 (76.1)

 

All Big 10 teams are in the top 15, but I would say the NCHC is still represented pretty well. Not much of an argument to make against the NCHC as far as attendance goes.

Historically, attendance bumps because of new arenas or venues last for 2 to 3 years at least, not just for an opening weekend series.

[Godsmack]

I'm a CC season ticket holder and I'm always dubious of the stated attendance. From the time of the World Arena's opening in the late 90's until about 2012, yes, they were consistently at or near capacity. Since then, however, the arena is barely half full, except for games against UND or DU (and a good portion of the fans are UND fans). Regularly, there are wide swaths of empty purple seats at Tiger games and yet stated attendance always seems to be near a full house.

[siouxjoy]

27 minutes ago, Benny Baker said:

 From what I hear, wisconsin's probably is not that high either. 

Which is really horrible, if 56% capacity is an inflated number.

[dmksioux]

Too easy...if the Big Ten asks you to join them in anything, your answer is yes.  Conference affiliation is much more than athletics.  IF UND were ever offered B1G affiliation for hockey, we'd be crazy to say no.  Even from the hockey standpoint, we'd gain UMinn and UW back as big rivals.  Could still play Non-conference games against the Minnesota schools, Denver's etc. 

[ndgopher]

On 2/3/2016 at 11:25 PM, UNDBIZ said:

You can't be serious

UND academically would not be admitted.  

[UNDvince97-01]

I understand why hockey fans would not want to accept an affiliate B1G membership, but I still think it would have to be considered and maybe ultimately taken.  Again, who are your peer institutions?  LEAD on this, dont follow, and be the reason how and why the B1G Hockey conference gets 'fixed'.  Hell, even demand some concessions to come over and say "take it or leave it".  I get the arguments on the cons, with game schedules etc, but I think as a whole it could potentially be a good thing.  Again, it's debatable.

However, there is literally ZERO debate if you get a full membership offer for the B1G.  I can't believe that is even a discussion.  You take it and RUN and laugh hysterically because you are in the P5 and can be a LEADER in fixing the college hockey problems in the B1G.  This fanbase can do it and make it better.  Give ourselves more credit.

But again I digress, as the odds of B1G full membership happening are slim and none.

[GFG]

8 hours ago, tnt said:

Would love to see figures for actual butts in the seats, as Wisconsin and Minnesota don't have near the number as the paid attendance figures.  

Minnesota is still averaging around 8500 butts in seat, IIRC. 1500 no-shows is extremely noticeable in a 10,000 seat arena that's one giant bowl. They had a game last year that reached as low as 7200. They're selling 97% of their tickets, though. So it's not like they're having trouble selling tickets. I would rather them find a way to sell tickets to people that want to be there...they could probably start by lowering the ****ing single game tickets from $75 to like $45. You know, what college hockey prices should be.

[GFG]

13 hours ago, bypolairxam said:

Lucia would cry like the big baby he is....Why's he still coaching Minnesota??...He hasn't done anything in 13 years

You're right. He's probably like 0.6 seconds away from being fired.

 

 

[tnt]

12 minutes ago, GFG said:

Minnesota is still averaging around 8500 butts in seat, IIRC. 1500 no-shows is extremely noticeable in a 10,000 seat arena that's one giant bowl. They had a game last year that reached as low as 7200. They're selling 97% of their tickets, though. So it's not like they're having trouble selling tickets. I would rather them find a way to sell tickets to people that want to be there...they could probably start by lowering the ****ing single game tickets from $75 to like $45. You know, what college hockey prices should be.

Where do you get that figure.  Just about every game I've seen has been pretty sparse.  I was shocked at how many empty seats there were against Duluth early in the season.

[GFG]

Just now, tnt said:

Where do you get that figure.  Just about every game I've seen has been pretty sparse.  I was shocked at how many empty seats there were against Duluth early in the season.

I'll see if I can find it...one of GPL's writers asked the U for actual attendance numbers and tickets sold for every game after last season and they gave it to him. 

[GFG]

19 minutes ago, tnt said:

Where do you get that figure.  Just about every game I've seen has been pretty sparse.  I was shocked at how many empty seats there were against Duluth early in the season.

I didn't recall correctly on the actual attendance. Averaging 7600 in actual attendance, yet sold on average over 9700 tickets per game (97%). It's just people (season ticket holders) not showing up. So they should contact those people to figure out why they aren't coming. It's probably 2100 UND alumni holding season tickets to go to next years game...

http://www.gopherpucklive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=12553

[dakotadan]

8 hours ago, tnt said:

Would love to see figures for actual butts in the seats, as Wisconsin and Minnesota don't have near the number as the paid attendance figures.  

And neither does CC, SCSU, Duluth, etc. 

[GFG]

Just now, dakotadan said:

And neither does CC, SCSU, Duluth, etc. 

Yep, not a single school announces actual attendance anymore. UND included. Duluth's actual attendance for whatever reason is just awful. It baffles me because they've been decent up until this year and have a new arena. Attendance was sparse for them last year, but it's gotten really bad this year.

[tnt]

59 minutes ago, GFG said:

I didn't recall correctly on the actual attendance. Averaging 7600 in actual attendance, yet sold on average over 9700 tickets per game (97%). It's just people (season ticket holders) not showing up. So they should contact those people to figure out why they aren't coming. It's probably 2100 UND alumni holding season tickets to go to next years game...

http://www.gopherpucklive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=12553

Those looked like they were stats for the 2014-2015 season, not 2015-2016.

[GFG]

11 minutes ago, tnt said:

Those looked like they were stats for the 2014-2015 season, not 2015-2016.

They haven't gotten this years yet, it'll be at the end of the year. But attendance looks very similar so far.

[dagies]

On 2/4/2016 at 9:34 PM, fightingsioux4life said:

Hmmm, let's see: A program that has done absolutely nothing in Division I hockey (UConn) and a program that is just beginning its transition from ACHA to NCAA Division I (Arizona State). Yep, that'll really boost the PWR of the league.

They desperately want someone else to be the bottom feeders