National Collegiate Athletic Association |
The NCAA News - News and FeaturesThe NCAA News -- December 7, 1998 Shooting for Division I
Dwindling Division II ice hockey sponsorship forces powers to step up to next level
BY STEPHEN R. HAGWELL
With regard to the school's men's ice hockey program, Harris has done that -- literally. In June, Alabama-Huntsville, which has claimed two of the last three Division II Men's Ice Hockey Championships, announced it was reclassifying its men's ice hockey program from Division II to Division I. Alabama-Huntsville will retain its Division II status in all other sports. Under NCAA reclassification provisions, Alabama-Huntsville will be officially recognized as a Division I men's ice hockey member in 2000-01, pending the institution's compliance with appropriate divisional legislation for a two-year period. Until that time, the Chargers are prohibited from NCAA championship competition. "Everyone involved with our program is excited," said Harris, chair of the Division II Men's Ice Hockey Committee. "We're excited. Our players are excited. Our fans are excited. "We're looking forward to the challenge." So too are most Division II men's ice hockey schools. Of the 11 Division II men's ice hockey programs classified as active NCAA members in 1998-99, six, including the Chargers, have opted to reclassify to Division I. Also making the transition are American International College, five-time Division II champion Bemidji State University, Bentley College, Mercyhurst College and Sacred Heart University.
Sacred Heart, which has reclassified to Division I in all sports, and American International will officially compete as Division I members in 1999-2000 pending the completion of the two-year reclass- Currently, American International and Sacred Heart compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), a first-year Division I ice hockey conference, while Bentley and Mercyhurst are scheduled to begin play in the MAAC in 1999-2000. Alabama-Huntsville, which competed as a Division I independent from 1987-92, and Bemidji State have not yet secured conference affiliation. Right timing The fact that most Division II programs are making the jump to Division I, while newsworthy, is not surprising. While reasons vary, each team contends that the timing was right to take the next step. They also state that reclassification to Division I will provide growth opportunities and greater stability, which is not available at the Division II level because of low sponsorship numbers and the near certainty that the Division II championship will be discontinued. Since the reinstatement of the Division II championship in 1993, Division II men's ice hockey sponsorship numbers have hovered in the low double digits, well below the NCAA required minimum of 40 sponsoring institutions to retain or establish a championship. A vote on the future of the championship will occur at the 1999 Convention via Proposal No. 2-21, which would discontinue the championship effective August 1, 1999. (A vote would be necessary because at the 1997 Convention, legislation was approved that no Olympic sport could be discontinued without consent from the membership.) "It was my opinion about two years ago that we were at a point where we were going to improve or we were going to level off if we didn't do something," said Bob DeFelice, director of athletics at Bentley and a member of the Division II Ice Hockey Committee. "In looking at the (MAAC), we thought it would enhance what we were trying to do, not just athletically, but also from a hockey standpoint. "The opportunity to be aligned with a league that was a controlled league as far as scholarships and was self-contained was very attractive. It was a league that met what we were trying to do as far as hockey is concerned." Alabama-Huntsville was prompted to make the move to Division I because of increased competitive opportunities, specifically against comparable schools, according to Harris. "We were finding it very difficult in the scheduling to find enough Division II schools to play," he said. "We realized that we ended up scheduling more Division III schools than there were Division II. "Given the fact that we were a Division II independent, we really couldn't rely on a solid schedule. We had to piece it together as we went. "We felt that by moving to Division I, we could align ourselves with more schools that play (ice hockey)." Financial commitment The move to Division I will provide increased competitive opportunities, but it also will provide greater challenges financially with regard to funding for scholarships, upgrades in facilities and travel expenses. Each of the schools contend they will meet the challenge and are taking steps to accomplish that objective. For example, Bemidji State has, through its "Drive to DI" fund-raising efforts, garnered $175,000 for the 1998-99 season, with goals of raising an additional $690,000 over the next three years. Mercyhurst, in preparation for its first Division I season, expanded its locker room with a 4,000-square foot addition costing approximately $300,000. American International and Bentley have not yet made capital improvements to their facilities but have instead increased their scholarship and travel budgets. "This school would never have done that if it wasn't behind it," said DeFelice. "That's one great thing about this place. The moves that they make will be supported so that we can be competitive. "We're not going to be the Rolls Royce of the league, but we will not participate without the resources to make us competitive. If that becomes a major financial impact down the road, then the school will live up to that." "It's not like we've made huge strides financially or otherwise," said Gary Wright, head coach at American International. "Certainly, we're starting with some limitations, but it's not like we're trying to make a step up to Hockey East or the CCHA right away. "Right now, we're in a league in which we're competitive. Down the road, who knows what will happen." Whether the move to Division I is a success is something that will become evident as time passes. For now, each of the schools are anticipating the moment that they can officially compete at the next level. "We've been preparing ourselves for three years to make this decision," said Harris. "To us, now was as good a time as any to make the move." 1998-99 Division II Men's Ice Hockey (active sponsoring schools) Announced Move Official School to Division I Division I Sacred Heart University October 1996 1999-00 American International College September 1997 1999-00 Mercyhurst College May 1998 2000-01 University of Alabama, Huntsville June 1998 2000-01 Bemidji State University June 1998 2000-01 Bentley College June 1998 2000-01 Remaining Division II programs Assumption College New Hampshire College St. Anselm College St. Michael's College Stonehill College |
When Jim Harris assumed the duties of director of athletics at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, three-plus years ago, one of his objectives was to take the Chargers' athletics program to the next level.