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
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.
I heard they are going to raise the last $10M via seat cushion leases.
August 2nd, 2013 at 10:57 PM ^
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.
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:01 AM ^
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.
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
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.
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?)
August 2nd, 2013 at 10:04 PM ^
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
August 2nd, 2013 at 10:06 PM ^
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.
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:44 PM ^
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.
August 2nd, 2013 at 10:15 PM ^
Andy Murray and his staff have done a really great job building a program over there.
August 3rd, 2013 at 11:20 PM ^
August 2nd, 2013 at 10:39 PM ^
August 2nd, 2013 at 11:03 PM ^
I hope Bell's gets the naming rights, because it would be mad cool.
August 2nd, 2013 at 11:08 PM ^
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:19 AM ^
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.
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.
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^
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.
August 3rd, 2013 at 12:31 PM ^
Is anyone else having trouble accessing the front page?