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OT: WMU probably building new hockey arena

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August 2nd, 2013 at 9:22 PM
#1
gwkrlghl
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OT: WMU probably building new hockey arena

Western will not confirm, but everything points to them replacing Lawson with a new fancy-pants arena to go along with their quasi-step up into the NCHC. Per the article, Western supposedly already has about $50 million pledged of the $60 million needed to build the arena but needs to close that gap probably before anyone says anything officially

This is going along with the $100 million donation Western has gotten to build a new med school. Looks like it's a good time to be in Kalamazoo. I'm hoping we'll see Western suceed in the NCHC but it's going to be tough sledding

Story: Link. Other Link

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August 2nd, 2013 at 9:39 PM
#2
Michigan Arrogance
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Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 15317
interesting to see the

interesting to see the smaller schools make big commitments to hockey. Miami, Western, etc. It's not just M, Wisc, Minn, BU, BC that have the top flight facilities anymore. I wonder if the ECAC will eventually follow suit, and if any on the new WCHA will as well.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 9:40 PM
#3
Doctor Wolverine
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Now that I am back in Kzoo,

Now that I am back in Kzoo, maybe I will have to stop by the new rink once it is done. Happy to see good things for the Broncos!

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August 2nd, 2013 at 9:42 PM
#4
bdsisme
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I heard they are going to

I heard they are going to raise the last $10M via seat cushion leases.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 9:47 PM
#5
WMUgoblue
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Joined: 12/06/2009
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Lawson was in fine shape when

Lawson was in fine shape when I graduated in 2010, so it's a bit odd to build a new stadium. Maybe I missed it but did they say a location, because there isn't much room on campus aside from the IM soccer fields and Tennis Court area near the Rec.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 10:57 PM
(Reply to #5) #6
gwkrlghl
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Joined: 04/13/2012
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From a blog called

From a blog called "broncohockeyhotstove" (which just merged into WCHBlog)

 

The new building will connect to Lawson Arena and be constructed along its southeast side in what is currently a parking lot the school’s marching band uses for practice. Lawson Arena will remain in use for community hockey and skating events.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 12:01 AM
(Reply to #5) #7
Qmatic
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As far as locations go, the

As far as locations go, the tennis court/IM fields by the rec and Ellsworth would seem like a decent place to build a new arena. With the parking garage there along with parking at the rec, it would fit in well I think.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 9:54 PM
#8
samsoccer7
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Grew up in kzoo (portage schools) and it's a great

Grew up in kzoo (portage schools) and it's a great place to raise a family. The area is on an upswing and the new med school is going to be good for future potential doctors in Michigan. I have nothing to add regarding the hockey arena though. Good for WMU.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 12:38 PM
(Reply to #6) #9
Clarence Beeks
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Has it really reached the

Has it really reached the point where someone went to Portage schools, but now says they are from Kalamazoo instead of Portage? If so, that is amazing. Back when I grew up there no one would think of admitting they were from Kalamazoo if they were actually from Portage.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 5:45 PM
(Reply to #6) #10
JustGoBlue
Joined: 06/15/2009
MGoPoints: 867
Interestingly,

though WMU is primarily a public university, the new Med School is going to be private.  Oakland University and Oakland's med school  are the same way.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 9:57 PM
#11
Wolverine Devotee
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Hopefully the NCHC powers

Hopefully the NCHC powers pound western and shut their annoying students/fans(?) up. (Is anyone actually a fan of a MAC team that didn't go there?)

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August 2nd, 2013 at 10:04 PM
(Reply to #7) #12
gwkrlghl
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The Lunatics can be really annoying

but I've always had a soft-spot for Western. I've had a lot of friends go there and/or be fans so I like to see them do well. I'm afraid they might get crushed in the NCHC but I'm hoping they'll do well. I certainly won't miss the Lawson Lunatics

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August 2nd, 2013 at 10:06 PM
(Reply to #7) #13
MightyMatt13
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Joined: 02/26/2012
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Currently a student at UM,

Currently a student at UM, and I consider myself a fan of both Central and Western. Don't hate on the instate guys, love to see these kind of things going on in Kalamazoo. Good for them.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 12:44 PM
(Reply to #7) #14
blue_in_kazoo
Joined: 03/18/2012
MGoPoints: 63
Funny...

that as a UM alum and Portage (next to Kazoo) resident, I love the atmosphere at Yost and at Lawson, and I've never considered the atmosphere/students to be much different between two.  Yost is a much nicer building, but the low metal roof and smaller size of Lawson makes it as loud (or louder) than Yost.  I think the Lunatics are great.  I was at the UM-WMU playoff games last season, and when the Lunatics were all over the UM fans it was deserved, since the UM fans right in front of me were being antagonistic, which I've never approved of when you're on the road.

One point about recruiting: At WMU, hockey is quickly becoming the #1 sport, so I think some players may be attracted to the thought of being BMOC at WMU, vs. being an athlete in the #3 sport at UM or MSU.  Just a thought.

 

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August 2nd, 2013 at 10:15 PM
#15
Rusty Shackleford
Joined: 04/03/2010
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Good for them

Andy Murray and his staff have done a really great job building a program over there.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 11:20 PM
(Reply to #10) #16
First game Navy 1981
Joined: 10/13/2008
MGoPoints: 102
Murray didn't build it, but

Murray didn't build it, but rather inherited a reinvigorated program from Jeff Blashill, who left WMU to be an assistant with the Red Wings. He now sits in Grand Rapids with a recent Calder Cup on his coaching resume, and would be my favorite to replace Mike Babcock.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 10:39 PM
#17
maizenblue87
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My son is a WMU alum. I went

My son is a WMU alum. I went to one game with him at Lawson. Man, those fans know how to "welcome" the opposing team.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 11:03 PM
#18
BrownJuggernaut
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I hope Bell's gets the naming

I hope Bell's gets the naming rights, because it would be mad cool.

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August 2nd, 2013 at 11:08 PM
#19
calichrome14
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Alum

Happy for this addition, cant hate on the bronc's!

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August 3rd, 2013 at 1:02 AM
#20
Rusty Shackleford
Joined: 04/03/2010
MGoPoints: 5981
Also

This is relevant to Michigan hockey. Western has started to recruit the state of Michigan very well; while at the moment this is a bigger issue for Michigan State, Western has started to gain interest from some of the states more elite prospects.

I don't think Western will ever challenge Michigan in recruiting like MSU could, but we have had free rein over the state since the end of the Comley era. That could start to come to an end.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 1:18 AM
#21
angelfire710
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Joined: 01/31/2011
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As a WMU alum

This is the next logial step in keeping quality talent and quality coaches in kalamazoo. They need to make the job more of a destination rather than a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 12:17 PM
#22
wildbackdunesman
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MGoPoints: 8828
Western Michigan will lose a

Western Michigan will lose a little something with the demise of the CCHA.

WMU could count on guaranteed sell outs and high demand for MSU and UofM, and perhaps even a few other teams.  I don't think they'll have that on a consistent basis even with powerhouses like North Dakota.

WMU had 8 CCHA colleges within a 5 hour drive from Kalamazoo.  In the NCHC, they have 1 college within a 5 hour drive (4.5 hours) Miami (NTM).  The next closest college is Nebraska Omaha at 9 hours.  WMU students could easily drive up 131 and attend a game at Ferris State and spend the night or make a return trip home that very night...that won't happen at any noticeable level in the NCHC.

Since WMU fans won't be able to easily travel to away games and opposing teams won't be able to as easily travel to Kalamazoo - you would expect ticket sales to have a negative impact.  WMU's hockey team will also pay more for travel.

In some sense, UofM lost that too, but I don't think it will hurt us as much as a school like WMU.

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August 3rd, 2013 at 12:29 PM
#23
MGoKalamazoo
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(No subject)

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August 3rd, 2013 at 12:31 PM
#24
TIMMMAAY
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Is anyone else having trouble

Is anyone else having trouble accessing the front page? 

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August 3rd, 2013 at 1:06 PM
#25
Prince Lover
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You know

I have a girl.....

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August 3rd, 2013 at 1:24 PM
#26
BPocern
Joined: 03/12/2011
MGoPoints: 995
Current student

And this would be awesome!

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