OT: Alabama-Hunstsville kills hockey program
I think a lot of people saw this coming, but now it's official. UAH is discontinuing their hockey program.
“While we appreciate the voices of support for our Division I ice hockey program, as an institution of higher learning during these times of economic stress on education, we must place our greatest emphasis of taxpayer investment in the classroom and in our laboratories.”
http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2011/10/24/death-of-a-program-alabama-h…
and
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/10/uah_hockey_to_lose_division_…
October 27th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^
This has been in the Mgolicious for a few days now. It's still on the front page.
Sorry man.
October 27th, 2011 at 9:45 AM ^
Oops! Sorry about that, guys.
October 27th, 2011 at 9:47 AM ^
As a student at UAH this really sucks, however for the past few years it was easy to see comming. No one ever goes to the games except a few die hards, and they have not had much success since moving from D2 to D1. At least we get 2 chances to beat Ohio this year before going back to a club team next year.
October 27th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
October 27th, 2011 at 11:30 AM ^
I too am a student at UAH and agree completely. People were not supporting them as much anymore and with all the education money cuts the state has been doing something had to give.
October 27th, 2011 at 10:05 AM ^
You're saying that people in Alabama DON'T care about hockey?! Color me surprised.
October 27th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^
Oh man, next thing you'll be telling me that people in Alaska don't care about tanning for Beach Season
October 27th, 2011 at 10:35 AM ^
Too bad. UAH had one of the best cheers in college sports.
October 27th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^
Which is....?
October 27th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
interesting that the decision was made by an interim president.
October 27th, 2011 at 11:35 AM ^
Any chance the decision is reversed? A similar thing happened at Bowling Green a few years back (there was talk to kill the program, but I don't remember if a decision was made to kill it and the president reniged). I know a lot of former BG hockey players and current students rallied to keep the team. Any chance the same thing happens here?
October 27th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
Education at all levels in Alabama have taken significant budget hits, so I doubt money will be found to continue the program.
There was a good bit of moral support for the program, but I don't remember there being a huge demand for tickets. I never went to a UAH hockey game despite living here for the past 21 years; I have been to the Big House at least 5 or 6 times in that span.
BTW, I am on the road for the next couple of weeks and it was strange getting 'local' news via MGoBlog. It looks like I will be able to watch the Purdue game on ESPN3 *live* this Sunday morning at 5 am Auckland time!
Tim
October 27th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^
Sad but yeah, this was expected...while it's not saying much, Hunstville was one of the few places in the South where hockey was relevant at all. Still, it was never any more popular than some of the other athletic attractions in town (AA baseball, the Huntsville Havoc, Arena 2 football), which is a shame because the Chargers have obviously had a relatively successful run for what their program is/was.
By the way, where were all of you Huntsville Michigan fans when I lived there? Didn't realize there were so many.
October 27th, 2011 at 9:53 PM ^
UAH alumn here too, went there when they were a club team, from what I hear, they are going back to club hockey. I remember the team used to get a nice turn out at the Von Braun Civic center, but this was back in the 80's, guess a lot has changed...