The Call to Action: What We’ve Heard Back From the CCHA

We asked folks to contact the ADs, and this is what we’ve heard back so far:

Here’s what Allis Jordan wrote to folks:

My name is Allis Jordan and I am a proud supporter of UAH hockey. I am 28 years old and have lived in Huntsville all of my life. Scheduling to attend the UAH Chargers play at home is (and has been) a very important part of my year. While I am a UAH alumnus, I still enjoy attending and cheering for my team. As you know, we took a blow recently when the CCHA rejected our bid to join their league. However, the UAH Chargers are a dedicated team with a dedicated fan base. We refuse to let this set-back stop us. So, I am writing to ask that you support a scheduling agreement with the UAH Chargers for the 2010-2011 season. While I realize that this may put a strain on your own team, I hope that you will strongly consider what joy Charger hockey brings to Huntsville, AL.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Allis Jordan
UAH Alumnus/Die-Hard Charger Fan

The responses:

“Thank you for your email to Mark Hollis, AD, at MSU. As the sport administratot for ice hockey, please note that we had already scheduled a non-conference series w/UAH at MSU for the 2010-2011 season. Thus, we look forward to UAH playing at Munn Ice Arena. All the best, Shelley Appelbaum”

So hey, you read it here first … UAH @ MSU in 2010-11. For those not aware, the Spartans are Coach Cole’s alma mater.

Allis,

Thank you for your message and I appreciate your passion for your
team. The Broncos will be in Huntsville this year and look forward
to the trip.

Best wishes to you!

Kathy

Kathy B. Beauregard
Director of Athletics
Western Michigan University

Jonathan Fairman, a member of the UAH Pep Band who is a graduate of The Ohio State University, heard back from his alma mater:

Mr. Fairman,

Gene Smith forwarded to me your e-mail regarding the CCHA decision to not admit the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I am the Sport Administrator at Ohio State that works with our men’s ice hockey program and represented our institution at the CCHA meetings in August.

The CCHA received a membership application from the UAH last year. Once received, the conference members completed a very thorough review process as outlined by our code of regulations. This process included the collection of various materials about the University, including the financial commitment to its hockey program, facility availability and lease arrangement among other things. In addition, the leadership team of UAH was invited to attend our April 2009 CCHA Council Meeting to make an in-person presentation, and, in June, we assigned members of our executive committee to travel to Huntsville to do a site visit of the school and the surrounding community.

There are a variety of issues that are evaluated and reviewed when considering a membership applicant, including items directly related to the applicant, as well as items that are completely non-related to the applicant. Financial considerations, travel issues, scheduling matters, facilities issues, state of college hockey, etc. We spent considerable time examining and discussing all of them.

Each member of the CCHA has their own individual concerns regarding the expansion of the CCHA and the current climate of college hockey. Because of this, I cannot tell you that there was one specific fact or point that kept UAH out of the CCHA at this time.

While I know this information does not make the decision any easier to accept or understand, I hope you will recognize that it was a decision that was not easily made.

Sincerely,

Chris Schneider
Associate Athletics Director – Sport Administration
The Ohio State University

Have you written or called? If not, take the time.