"Proposed" future ECAC

[Iceberg]

With LIU joining the D1 hockey ranks as an independent, one must wonder in which division the team will wind up. Its joining the ECAC could actually create some balance with the assumption that Penn fields a D1 team again within the next 10-15 years. If you look at potential travel partner alignments, it makes much sense.

Colgate-Cornell
Clarkson-St.Lawrence
RPI-Union
Dartmouth-Harvard
Brown-Quinnipiac/Yale
LIU-Quinnipiac/Yale
Penn-Princeton

[CU2007]

I think Quinnipiac eventually joins Hockey East, to make that a 12 team league. 11 teams is awkward and they're a good fit geographically as well as culturally (if you will).

Then maybe ECAC takes LIU to make the conference whole at 12. If and when Penn adds a team, maybe ECAC steals a Niagara or a Holy Cross from Atlantic.

One thing is for sure, there will continue to be shuffling as programs get cut and/or established.

[Trotsky]

LIU is an even worse academic fit for the ECAC than Q.

I can't imagine Penn bothering but if they did then I guess we might have a shot at expanding south, picking up Army and Navy, and somebody else to round off at 16.

But... why?  I mean, really, why?  The conference is fine as it is, its members are very stable, 11 of the schools have a common vision.  Other than a few assholes' empire building, why fuck it up?

[French Rage]

LIU is an even worse academic fit for the ECAC than Q.

I can't imagine Penn bothering but if they did then I guess we might have a shot at expanding south, picking up Army and Navy, and somebody else to round off at 16.

But... why?  I mean, really, why?  The conference is fine as it is, its members are very stable, 11 of the schools have a common vision.  Other than a few assholes' empire building, why fuck it up?

Plus 12 is a good number.  14 is too much.  ("13 is right out.)

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

I can't imagine that Penn will restart their program. I wish they would, but I can't imagine it happening.

[Trotsky]

I can't imagine that Penn will restart their program. I wish they would, but I can't imagine it happening.

I'd have said it was impossible ten years ago, but ASU, St. Thomas and LIU coming out of nowhere really surprised me.

St. Thomas makes some sort of sense anyway being in the heart of hockey country.  I don't know what the fuck LIU is trying to do.  And ASU -- well, I guess if you can't win in anything else...

[ursusminor]

Although I can't imagine the ECAC having any interest in adding a team, LIU has played Princeton and RPI twice each already and have two each against QU and Brown remaining. Then again their rink last weekend against RPI was more of a morgue than RPI's has been this year. They play in the Islanders' practice rink.

[George64]

I think Quinnipiac eventually joins Hockey East, to make that a 12 team league. 11 teams is awkward and they're a good fit geographically as well as culturally (if you will).

Then maybe ECAC takes LIU to make the conference whole at 12. If and when Penn adds a team, maybe ECAC steals a Niagara or a Holy Cross from Atlantic.

Or better still, from my perspective, RIT

[French Rage]

I think Quinnipiac eventually joins Hockey East, to make that a 12 team league. 11 teams is awkward and they're a good fit geographically as well as culturally (if you will).

Then maybe ECAC takes LIU to make the conference whole at 12. If and when Penn adds a team, maybe ECAC steals a Niagara or a Holy Cross from Atlantic.

Or better still, from my perspective, RIT

I'd prefer RIT, academically, geographically, and the fanbase seems more fun too.

[Trotsky]

I'd prefer RIT, academically, geographically, and the fanbase seems more fun too.

And the partnerships would be better.

Cornell - RIT
Colgate - Princeton
SLU - Clarkson
RPI - Union
Dartmouth - Harvard
Brown - Yale

Though, ideally:

Cornell - RIT
SLU - Clarkson
Colgate - RPI
Dartmouth - Harvard
Brown - Yale
Princeton - Penn

[ursusminor]

FWIW, RIT plays in the D-III Liberty League as do Clarkson,, RPI, SLU, and Union.

[dbilmes]

Quinnipiac has consistently said it's happy being in the ECAC. Personally, I can't see them leaving any time soon.

[upprdeck]

FWIW, RIT plays in the D-III Liberty League as do Clarkson,, RPI, SLU, and Union.

does it really matter since its really about the hockey and  they play D1 in that?

[marty]

FWIW, RIT plays in the D-III Liberty League as do Clarkson,, RPI, SLU, and Union.

I believe Bennett is attempting to bring Union back to D3 hockey.

[ursusminor]

FWIW, RIT plays in the D-III Liberty League as do Clarkson,, RPI, SLU, and Union.

does it really matter since its really about the hockey and  they play D1 in that?

No. That is why I wrote "FWIW". I figured there were some here who did not know that. Most (all other?) college leagues do not have as long-term constant membership as the Ivy League.