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Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
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Posted: 2/17/2013 9:14 PM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
I think UI would have tons of interest in adding a D1 Hockey program. I think it would take time for the program to get started and be competative, but there would be plenty of interest throughout the state. I mean, look at the Blackhawks! They have a HUGE following. People are starting to like Hockey more and more. I think the university should do what is necessary to make this happen, and make whatever changes to other sports as well to make it happen. PLUS... this would give us UI football fans something to look forward to during football season.
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Posted: 2/17/2013 9:15 PM
RE: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
buglebob wrote: Def not 50 K at that game today !
Big Bob in Brandon agree, from those crowd pics, maybe 25,000. maybe 25.000 if you count all tix sold for the day.
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Posted: 2/18/2013 9:18 AM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
scottsdaledevil wrote:
SriReddy wrote:
scottsdaledevil wrote:Is it maybe time for Illinois to start taking a hard look at college hockey?
Soldier field will have 50k show up to watch college hockey while the game will be played on the Big 10 Network.....will anyone from the Illinois Athletic Department take notice? It doesn't look like 50k from these pictures (and these are the top 4 teams in the Midwest?):
http://galleries.apps.chicagot...r-field-photos/ Hey Fonzie, that pic was taken during game 1 where game 2 was the main draw. The point is that none of these schools even reside in this state and are drawing 50k. Hockey can be a money maker at Illinois it just take the school making a commitment to going D1. Cut a few money losers and add hockey to increase the bottom line and the branding of the university in a hockey crazy state.
Actually there more fans for the first game. Possibly due to the fact that it was warm and sunny. By the end of the second period, second game it was mighty cold. |
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Posted: 2/18/2013 9:44 AM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
2 things:
1. There were probably many more people there than any one picture will show. I would imagine lots of the fans only came for the game their team was playing in.
2. 25k would still be a pretty impressive crowd for a college hockey event with no instate teams on a very cold dreary day outside. Everyone loves the NHL Winter Classic, but dirty little secret: a hockey game in a football stadium is not a great spectator event.
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Posted: 2/18/2013 10:21 AM
RE: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
25,000 is a very impressive crowd for that event. I did not mean to imply it wasnt. It was just no where near 50,000.
I love to watch hockey, it has quickly become my 2nd favorite sport to watch. But a huge part of hockeys mystique is the crowd and noise generated at venues like the old Stadium, the new UC, MSG, Boston Garden, etc.
Playing it in outdoor venues is a gimmick, really, a throwback to pond hockey in the frozen tundra of Manitoba.
If they try to re stage that event again next year at Soldier Field, it will probably fail. Been there, done that is what Joe Fan wiil say.
Last edited 2/18/2013 10:23 AM by UIEightyThree
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Posted: 2/18/2013 12:04 PM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
Illinijockstrap wrote:
UIEightyThree wrote:
Illinijockstrap wrote: I used to watch the Illini club hockey team a lot when I lived in Champaign. They're a really good team year in and year out. I've always wished that they would go DI
yea, a good club team
they would go winless in D1 college hockey.
probably 2/3 the players on the club team would be ineligible on a ncaa sanctioned team
What I mean is that I wish Illinois would get a DI team because the club team is a lot of fun to watch and the atmosphere is a lot of fun, not that Illinois should have a U$C football or Kentucky basketball version of a hockey team (which I'm sure that you already know this). I guarantee that the club team wouldn't go winless if they played an all-DI team schedule. They may not go winless against an all D1 schedule, but it would be pretty close to winless. I saw a lot of UI club team games, and went to grad school at Miami U when they were at best an average D1 team. The difference was night and day - the Miami guys were bigger and much faster and more skilled. There is simply no way a club team should ever be competitive with even an average D1 team. Having said that, as long as the Illini have fan interest and support, the jump up to D1 isn't unthinkable. It would take a few years, but as other posters have pointed out, there's a lot of talent in the Chicago area. As far as yesterday's games, I don't know what was worse.....as a Miami alum losing to ND, or as an Illini fan hearing ND's coach call Chicago their second home....  |
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Posted: 2/18/2013 7:28 PM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
Not sure but I think a lot of the D1 hockey players are a little older than typical college students. I think many play some junior hockey, or a year at a post-secondary prep school or academy. That may be part of the 'night and day' difference described above...along with the recruiting. Not an expert on all D1 rosters but the better teams recruit nationally; most of BC's players are not from Massachusetts; most of UMaine players are not from Maine, etc etc. My point is that I think it would take more than tapping into the Chicago talent.
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Posted: 2/19/2013 12:30 AM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
(1) Current Illini Ice Arena is completely inadequate for a D1 program. (2) Hockey could be a successful sport at U of Illinois, and could be so fairly quickly, but it would require a considerable investment of effort and money. A team made up of the best Illinois natives currently playing D-1 hockey would be pretty darn good. (3) Illinois has yet to make the necessary investment of effort and money into FOOTBALL  , so don't hold your breath waiting for D-1 hockey. |
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Posted: 2/19/2013 2:28 PM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
They would absolutely go winless. If they played in the WCHA, they would lose by 10+ most nights. Illinijockstrap wrote:
UIEightyThree wrote:
Illinijockstrap wrote: I used to watch the Illini club hockey team a lot when I lived in Champaign. They're a really good team year in and year out. I've always wished that they would go DI
yea, a good club team
they would go winless in D1 college hockey.
probably 2/3 the players on the club team would be ineligible on a ncaa sanctioned team
What I mean is that I wish Illinois would get a DI team because the club team is a lot of fun to watch and the atmosphere is a lot of fun, not that Illinois should have a U$C football or Kentucky basketball version of a hockey team (which I'm sure that you already know this). I guarantee that the club team wouldn't go winless if they played an all-DI team schedule.
Last edited 2/19/2013 2:36 PM by tmasta346
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Posted: 2/19/2013 2:36 PM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
They are a little older. They can play juniors for two years before going to a D1 school. Many of the guys that are not ready to step in and play do this, which serves as a sort of Juco feeder program to the big programs. The better players will jump right away.
But that isn't the night and day difference. I've been to a few of the Illini club team games. These guys are D3 players at the most. I don't remember anyone that I thought would have been able to play D1. As far as facilities, the current ice arena wouldn't work. You need at least 4,500 for capacity. Penn State's new arena is going to cost them about $80 million. Unless a big time donor steps up, like in Penn State's case, hockey at Illinois is a bit of a pipe dream. MaineIllini wrote: Not sure but I think a lot of the D1 hockey players are a little older than typical college students. I think many play some junior hockey, or a year at a post-secondary prep school or academy. That may be part of the 'night and day' difference described above...along with the recruiting. Not an expert on all D1 rosters but the better teams recruit nationally; most of BC's players are not from Massachusetts; most of UMaine players are not from Maine, etc etc. My point is that I think it would take more than tapping into the Chicago talent. |
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Posted: 2/19/2013 4:07 PM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
TheOlafRules wrote: (1) Current Illini Ice Arena is completely inadequate for a D1 program.
(2) Hockey could be a successful sport at U of Illinois, and could be so fairly quickly, but it would require a considerable investment of effort and money. A team made up of the best Illinois natives currently playing D-1 hockey would be pretty darn good.
(3) Illinois has yet to make the necessary investment of effort and money into FOOTBALL , so don't hold your breath waiting for D-1 hockey. Agreed.
HudsonIllini wrote: Yeah remember when we had a TEAM to cheer for?! Without the people in A section (major donors) this program doesn't pay the bills. I sold or gave mine out so mine were not empty. Got good $ from a UM fan for today's game.
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Posted: 2/19/2013 4:09 PM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
 This guy would turn it all around for U of I hockey. |
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Posted: 2/20/2013 9:09 AM
Re: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
more than these 3 guys? 
Last edited 2/20/2013 9:12 AM by UIEightyThree
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Posted: 2/21/2013 12:02 PM
RE: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
The state government is the laughingstock of the entire nation. Corrupt, bankrupt and foolish there is no other description for that mess in Springfield. The University if one of the few institutions left that the citizens can look at with pride. Clean out that mess of criminals in Springfield and start over.
I believe that D1 Hockey would be very popular and ultimately successful enough to generate revenue. I would totally support it.
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Posted: 2/21/2013 8:58 PM
RE: OT 50k to pack Soldier Field to watch College Hockey
sloskater wrote: The state government is the laughingstock of the entire nation. Corrupt, bankrupt and foolish there is no other description for that mess in Springfield. The University if one of the few institutions left that the citizens can look at with pride. Clean out that mess of criminals in Springfield and start over.
I believe that D1 Hockey would be very popular and ultimately successful enough to generate revenue. I would totally support it. If I remember correct Illinois sometimes 1000+ fans for club games. Find me any other club team that does that. Just about all of the Big 10 ice hockey schools are profitable now so Illinois would have no problem in an area that wants and needs a hockey team. Here is an interesting read on how Penn St. is drawing great crowds and making good $$$$ in their first year: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily...ate-hockey.aspx |
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