Build an on campus arena, FOR D1 HOCKEY.
Sept 5, 2017 22:50:50 GMT -5
big5explorer and GlitterBro #2 like this
Post by big5explorer on Sept 5, 2017 22:50:50 GMT -5
I'm going to preface this post by writing I grew up on Big 5 basketball. My grandfather was captain of a Big 5 team that-shall-not-be-named. I miss the glory days of LaSalle basketball and the Big5. But hear me out on this.
Though it might be a pipe dream, I think we need a D1 hockey team. And, with the right leadership, I think it could be wildly successful.
Consider:
1. The Delaware Valley, including NJ, the Lehigh Valley, Delaware, Lancaster/Hershey/Harrisburg is a hotbed of youth hockey. While it isn't Minnesota or Boston or Toronto, we have a boatload of serious youth hockey programs. Most of these kids will likely go to college. Some will play in college. But when you look at what local universities play D1, there is really no D1 program nearby. www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1PUNn6zGoyiMGpUHNLMxYYUvMT4M&hl=en_US&ll=42.35064127739608%2C-74.68537191669986&z=7
These local hockey families have the money to have their kids play hockey. They likely also have the money to send them to a good school like La Salle. Build a solid hockey program and these local kids will consider coming here to school to WATCH good college hockey games.
2. Let's face it, the kids coming to LaSalle have no recollection of consistent sporting success here over the last 20 years. Likely, few are choosing LaSalle because of a basketball championship that occurred 50 years ago.
3. The atmosphere at a big Friday night D1 hockey game can be electric. And we could and probably would draw more than basketball. If you are ever in Boston in the winter, go check out a BC or BU hockey game.
.4. We could move into a conference like the ECACHL or the Atlantic. Not killer travel.
5. Look at the obscene prices people pay for a Flyers game. Kids and families may be willing to pay 1/3 of that for a ticket to see a legit hockey game. Probably more revenue than basketball. If it is marketed right, young teams (6-10 years old) could be invited to play against another team on D1 college ice before the game. And they could stay and watch the game afterward. Good exposure for the school. Cool for the kids.
6. The ice could be used for local programs to build good relations with the neighborhood. Weekends when the ice isn't being used, it could be utilized for local kids tournaments, which is also good exposure for the school. University of Delaware even has a youth club team that plays on their ice and uses their logo. Free advertising! Build two sheets of ice and hockey tournaments could be run in the summer with kids getting to stay in the dorms.
7. With fewer D1 schools than basketball, winning an NCAA hockey championship is arguably easier. Win a championship and your school will be talked about for decades in hockey circles. See Union College. Hockey players come from all over the world, and you can bet every current millionaire NHL hockey player knows about Union College.
8. Would it be bad initial PR locally, with La Salle possibly ending the Big5 with moving to a hockey program and away from hoops? Maybe, maybe not. Some schools like Providence and BC do both hockey and basketball successfully. And so what if hockey pushed basketball under? If a nationally ranked hockey team outdrew students for attendance how awful would that be? What is the Big 5 now? The days of doubleheaders at the Palestra are pretty much over. And at nearly every Big5 game over the last 25 years that I have attended LaSalle has been the smaller of the 2 teams in attendance figures, including student attendance. And that includes some of our home games.
9. We would have exclusive media coverage for the sport in the area. And, with good leadership, this could include games televised locally, and possibly radio coverage.
10. Merchandizing. I have no idea what La Salle is making on merchandizing for basketball. I bet it isn't much right now. But build a successful hockey program and you can start selling $75-100 hockey jerseys.
11.Advertising. Plenty of places in a rink to advertise and bring in revenue.
12. Having a sports identity again. Reality is we have not been consistently relevant in a profile college sport in many decades. We have no real rival in basketball or any other sport. Time to take the lead and have a big identity in a growing college sport. On a national level. It is time to develop a serious and fun rival in a sport. It is time to have serious hope of making a final 4 or winning a national title.
13. With a limited numbers of NCAA hockey teams, there are increased odds of a player from our D1 program being drafted and playing the NHL, where they can make great money, and perhaps donate significant dollars back to the school someday. And can come back and contribute their time to the hockey program. A very large percentage of D1 players continue to associate with their alma mater, and some come back to coach and help recruit.
14. Relatively quick road to being competitive. Penn State is a great example. Granted, they had nearly a hundred million dollars to finance their program. But in just a few years Penn State hockey has risen to compete as a championship contender. This comes after decades of basketball futility. Get the right people, coaches, and facility in place and it may not take long to be successful.
Though it might be a pipe dream, I think we need a D1 hockey team. And, with the right leadership, I think it could be wildly successful.
Consider:
1. The Delaware Valley, including NJ, the Lehigh Valley, Delaware, Lancaster/Hershey/Harrisburg is a hotbed of youth hockey. While it isn't Minnesota or Boston or Toronto, we have a boatload of serious youth hockey programs. Most of these kids will likely go to college. Some will play in college. But when you look at what local universities play D1, there is really no D1 program nearby. www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1PUNn6zGoyiMGpUHNLMxYYUvMT4M&hl=en_US&ll=42.35064127739608%2C-74.68537191669986&z=7
These local hockey families have the money to have their kids play hockey. They likely also have the money to send them to a good school like La Salle. Build a solid hockey program and these local kids will consider coming here to school to WATCH good college hockey games.
2. Let's face it, the kids coming to LaSalle have no recollection of consistent sporting success here over the last 20 years. Likely, few are choosing LaSalle because of a basketball championship that occurred 50 years ago.
3. The atmosphere at a big Friday night D1 hockey game can be electric. And we could and probably would draw more than basketball. If you are ever in Boston in the winter, go check out a BC or BU hockey game.
.4. We could move into a conference like the ECACHL or the Atlantic. Not killer travel.
5. Look at the obscene prices people pay for a Flyers game. Kids and families may be willing to pay 1/3 of that for a ticket to see a legit hockey game. Probably more revenue than basketball. If it is marketed right, young teams (6-10 years old) could be invited to play against another team on D1 college ice before the game. And they could stay and watch the game afterward. Good exposure for the school. Cool for the kids.
6. The ice could be used for local programs to build good relations with the neighborhood. Weekends when the ice isn't being used, it could be utilized for local kids tournaments, which is also good exposure for the school. University of Delaware even has a youth club team that plays on their ice and uses their logo. Free advertising! Build two sheets of ice and hockey tournaments could be run in the summer with kids getting to stay in the dorms.
7. With fewer D1 schools than basketball, winning an NCAA hockey championship is arguably easier. Win a championship and your school will be talked about for decades in hockey circles. See Union College. Hockey players come from all over the world, and you can bet every current millionaire NHL hockey player knows about Union College.
8. Would it be bad initial PR locally, with La Salle possibly ending the Big5 with moving to a hockey program and away from hoops? Maybe, maybe not. Some schools like Providence and BC do both hockey and basketball successfully. And so what if hockey pushed basketball under? If a nationally ranked hockey team outdrew students for attendance how awful would that be? What is the Big 5 now? The days of doubleheaders at the Palestra are pretty much over. And at nearly every Big5 game over the last 25 years that I have attended LaSalle has been the smaller of the 2 teams in attendance figures, including student attendance. And that includes some of our home games.
9. We would have exclusive media coverage for the sport in the area. And, with good leadership, this could include games televised locally, and possibly radio coverage.
10. Merchandizing. I have no idea what La Salle is making on merchandizing for basketball. I bet it isn't much right now. But build a successful hockey program and you can start selling $75-100 hockey jerseys.
11.Advertising. Plenty of places in a rink to advertise and bring in revenue.
12. Having a sports identity again. Reality is we have not been consistently relevant in a profile college sport in many decades. We have no real rival in basketball or any other sport. Time to take the lead and have a big identity in a growing college sport. On a national level. It is time to develop a serious and fun rival in a sport. It is time to have serious hope of making a final 4 or winning a national title.
13. With a limited numbers of NCAA hockey teams, there are increased odds of a player from our D1 program being drafted and playing the NHL, where they can make great money, and perhaps donate significant dollars back to the school someday. And can come back and contribute their time to the hockey program. A very large percentage of D1 players continue to associate with their alma mater, and some come back to coach and help recruit.
14. Relatively quick road to being competitive. Penn State is a great example. Granted, they had nearly a hundred million dollars to finance their program. But in just a few years Penn State hockey has risen to compete as a championship contender. This comes after decades of basketball futility. Get the right people, coaches, and facility in place and it may not take long to be successful.
