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| (above) UND AD Brian Faison and Coach Gwozdecky unveil the conference name |
Six of the nation’s top NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey programs have become founding members of the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which will begin competition for the 2013-14 season, the programs’ athletic directors and head coaches announced today at historic Penrose House.
Each of the speakers at the press conference stressed that the new conference was built on four core values; A high level of competitiveness on the ice, an institutional commitment to compete at the highest level within Division I, provide a national platform for exposure, and have wonderful history and tradition within their institution and hockey programs. The conference had been discussed and planned for almost a year.
University of Denver Coach George Gwozdecky said, "Future uncertainty about scheduling and recruiting led to the formation of the conference."
Gwozdecky added in a press release, “Our fans should be really excited knowing these five schools will be coming to Magness Arena annually for two-game series.
University of North Dakota Athletic Director Brian Faison noted that the pressing issues facing the NCHC will be setting up a non-profit corporation, finding a conference commissioner, researching potential new members and working on media platforms.
The Goldwater Group and Stafford Sports will serve as the conference consultants to initially assess additional members and the best possible media platforms.
Gwozdecky added in a press release, “Our fans should be really excited knowing these five schools will be coming to Magness Arena annually for two-game series.
University of North Dakota Athletic Director Brian Faison noted that the pressing issues facing the NCHC will be setting up a non-profit corporation, finding a conference commissioner, researching potential new members and working on media platforms.
The Goldwater Group and Stafford Sports will serve as the conference consultants to initially assess additional members and the best possible media platforms.
8 comments:
The name obviously leaves room for future eastern growth...
this has to be considered one of the premier conferences in the country, with or without Notre Dame. can't wait to hear more specifics.
Like the gutsy/ballsy approach to claim national status for the conference outright and not limit your geography within the USA.
The only way this name doesn't work as well is if they admit Candadian colleges somday.
That said, the Toronto Blue Jays don't have any problems being in the American League, and the 7 Canadian NHL teams and one Canadian NBA team have no issues with being in "National" leagues.
It's no accident that Denver and North Dakota are the the founding forces behind the league, as evidenced by the choice of speakers about the conference.
The Montreal Expos played in the "National" League. :-)
These guys have hired some very experienced consultants who have worked in very high profile sports initiatives.
This is going to be a very upgrade.
Check out the link to the video for some insight from DU's athletic leadership...
http://www.denverpioneers.com/newMediaPlayer/sl/console.htm?DB_OEM_ID=18600&DB_MENU_ID=&oemid=18600&SPSID=90195&CLIP_FILE_ID=780224&id=780224&type=vod&SPID=10862&CLIP_ID=770110
I get the feeling that Gwozdecky wants to start going after super elite prospects that college hockey was losing to major juniors.
If true, it may stem the tide of Americans flooding to the OHL and WHL.
This is AMAZING. Absolutley mind-blowing... The amount of legwork that clearly went into this on the FRONT END is awesome. I have been extremely critical of DU for continually being behind the curvek, but it is clear that we are way ahead of the game already. The promotional video was well done, it speaks to all aspects, and the fact that all of this has been "ready to roll out" immediately upon the press conference, speaks volumes about some serious rollout strategy... And if they are putting this much thought into rollout, imagine what they will do with the day-to-day and year-to-year.
Great job Gwoz, Peg, Coombe - and to all of their counterparts at UND, CC, MU, UNO, and UMD.
DU's video was excellent and well planned.
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