bemidji st going WCHA?

[Scum Frog]

correct me if i'm wrong but I think the beavers are playing in the frozen four next week and i don't think any of those WCHA teams you mentioned are? Maybe next year?????

[Bran32]

I say drop Alaska-Anchorage and bring in BSU, from a distance standpoint Mich. Tech, CC, and DU are all closer then A-A and would be saving all the schools money by not going all the way up there!

[fasternu]

It is my understanding that A-A actually PAYS all or part of the other teams flights/hotels to go up there. I was told it was one of the things they agreed to when they got into the WCHA in the first place. No way will they kick anybody else out. If they choose to leave, that's another story.

[redlake]

You are correct faster. There is no way the WCHA kicks out Alaska.

How is the wife and kids? I think we need to get some season tickets for the beavers next year. Eh?

[IFallsRon]

Bethany Wesley

Bemidji Pioneer - 04/04/2009

Work on the Bemidji Regional Event Center officially began Friday as dignitaries and community supporters gathered around a mound of dirt on the south shore of Lake Bemidji.

“This is a pretty momentous occasion – let’s make it look good,” called out Mayor Richard Lehmann, scooping up a shovel full of dirt and flinging it into the air.

The event, held at the former North Central Door site off of First Street East, was a celebration for all those who pushed to see the BREC become a reality.

“Today marks the accomplishment of many and a commitment of all to make the event center a successful facility and a hub of activity that our community will look to with pride,” Lehmann said. “We will commit to making this a facility that ushers in an era of prosperity for Bemidji, Bemidji State University and generations to come.”

Lehmann was joined for the groundbreaking by fellow Bemidji City Councilors Kevin Waldhausen, Jerry Downs, Ron Johnson and Greg Negard; Bemidji State University representatives President Jon Quistgaard, Vice President for Finance and Administration Bill Maki, Athletic Director Rick Goeb, head men’s hockey coach Tom Serratore, women’s hockey coach Steve Sertich, former BSU men’s coach R.H. “Bob” Peters, BSU Foundation Executive Director Rob Bollinger, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Nancy Erickson and Vice President for Student Development & Enrollment Lisa Erwin.

Also taking part in the official groundbreaking were legislators, including Sen. Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji; Rep. John Persell, DFL-Bemidji; Sen. Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, and Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisolm.

Others receiving shovels were Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Commission Steve Sviggum, Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce President Lori Paris, Chamber Chairman Mike Beard and former Chamber Chairman Mike Smith.

The BREC, at about 193,000 square feet, will be the anchor of a 140-acre development along the south shore of Lake Bemidji. It is planned to host conferences, conventions and BSU hockey games.

BSU hockey will be the anchor tenant in the facility, which will have 4,000 seats in the arena, including 25 suites and 250 club seats.

BSU hockey “will be a major element in the success of the event center,” Lehmann said, “and I believe the events center will be a major element in the continued success of the Bemidji State University Division I hockey program. Go Beavers!”The upcoming Frozen Four appearance by the men’s hockey team was mentioned, but the focus was on the BREC itself – and the overall plan for the south shore.

The development includes, in addition to the BREC, 21 acres of commercial development, 11 acres of residential development, 18 acres of city parkland and a link connecting the Paul Bunyan State Trail.

About 200 people attended the groundbreaking and were reminded, by Lehmann, of the history of the south shore.

“The south shore of Lake Bemidji has historically been a hub of activity and has held a place of great prominence for generations of people,” Lehmann said. “Native Americans camped on the shores of the lake, fishing, trapping and celebrating life. Rows and rows of cord wood were stacked on this ground during the early 20th Century logging era.”

The BREC originally was planned to be located in downtown Bemidji in the railroad corridor. The location changed in 2007 when the City Council decided to purchase land in the south shore, thus accomplishing one of the city’s goals to maintain land in that area for park improvements.

“This place we are standing is one piece of a broader development that will expand the city’s tax base and provide new parks and trails that will span more than a mile of shoreline,” Lehmann said. “An aquatic management area will also be set aside to protect the important fishing resource we have in Lake Bemidji.”

The groundbreaking ceremony included a prayer by the Rev. Jim Holthus, the Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, and a ground blessing by spiritual elder Gordon Headbird. The Cass Lake-Bena High School drum group from Cass Lake also performed two honor songs.

Holthus’ prayer acknowledged the controversy surrounding the BREC project. He prayed that the community will now work together.

“Help us to act and live in ways that prove to everyone in our community that this center can unite us instead of divide us,” Holthus said, “that our commitment for the poor is not lessened by our commitment for this facility, that our search and request for dollars and funding will continue to include other projects that will benefit all the various members of our community.”

His prayer ended, to an eruption of applause, with a dedication and prediction for the BSU men’s hockey team:

“And let this be the facility of the world champion BSU Beaver hockey team!”

The ceremony was an opportunity for Lehmann, and the city, to thank all those individuals and groups that worked to make the BREC a reality.

Following the first official digging of the dirt, community members and project supporters were invited to shovel some dirt themselves.

[Bear55]

Quote:

Probably not enough to pack an area like Mariucci every weekend but I could see a smaller rink in the 3500-5000 range.

Bemidji is somewhat a Hockey town, when the big time WCHA teams come up, the rink will be filling....best is to win games and fans will go and watch. We'll see what happens!

Hi guys sorry if my post was worded wrong, I wasn't talking about Bemidji filling a rink, I went to school there and I know they won't have a problem. I was referring to a D3 school from the cities moving up and filling up another rink in the cities. Its been pretty well covered that it won't happen any time soon so I can leave it at that. Here's to hoping anothe school will apply along with Bemidji to help their chances of getting in. Or maybe the WCHA will just let them in and add another team down the road.

[yakfisher]

Keep in mind that if Bemidji played in the WCHA this year they would most likely NOT be playing in the frozen four. They were and automatic bid from winning the conference tourney. If they had won the WCHA tourney UMD would be out. All that having been said, GO BEAVERS!!!

[Quackaddict9]

Keep in mind that if Bemidji played in the WCHA this year they would most likely NOT be playing in the frozen four. They were and automatic bid from winning the conference tourney. If they had won the WCHA tourney UMD would be out. All that having been said, GO BEAVERS!!!

well guess what, the Beavers are still going to the Frozen Four!!!!

Go Beavers!!!

[FishHawk11]

I had a conversation with my Dad who is a Gopher Alum about this topic. He recently went to an alum brunch and talked to Lucia about BSU getting in. First thing he said is that it won't happen unless another school joins BSU and applies. If another team does decide to apply Lucia said its 95 percent they will get in. It has to be voted on by the other teams and everything from that standpoint looks like a go. Hopefullys it works as a BSU alum I would love to see them make it in.

Go Beavers!

[PierBridge]

Game time for the Beavers is 4PM today on ESPN 2!

[so haaad]

Should be fun to watch. Hopefully they don't show something like women's pingpong instead of hockey!!!

[KMR85]

Luckily they actually do show the Frozen Four on regualar cable TV. Down with ESPNU, unless it gets moved to regular cable.

[HOT SPOT]

I read in the paper last weekend that Moorhead State is goinig to apply to the WCHA. So that would be two teams with BSU. I think that Moorhead/Fargo area would be a great place for a WCHA team.

[Bear55]

Anybody have an update for those of us stuck at work until 5:00?

[PierBridge]

0-0 after one

[PierBridge]

Pretty darn good game very evenly played so far shots are 12-12.

[Quackaddict9]

4-1 EN Miami...Beavers did not look like the same team 2 weeks ago, sloppy and running all over where the puck is, 3 guys down low most part of the game. BU is gonna win this one...I think?

[so haaad]

Here comes Vermont! Great tempo right now.

[Quackaddict9]

Here comes Vermont! Great tempo right now.

nope not anymore, BU wins 5-4!

[IFallsRon]

Bethany Wesley

Bemidji Pioneer - 04/25/2009

Bemidji State University will get a seat at the table Monday (4/27/09) as university and hockey officials make their official presentation to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

BSU spokesmen will present for one hour to WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod and the men’s hockey representatives at a meeting in Marco Island, Fla.

The Beavers now compete in College Hockey America but are seeking a new conference home for the men’s hockey program. The CHA will fold after the 2009-10 season because of a lack of teams.

The CHA now is composed of Bemidji, Niagara University, Robert Morris University and Alabama-Hunstville – but both Niagara and Robert Morris are set to join the Atlantic College Conference in 2010-11.

The ideal conference for Bemidji is the WCHA, a 10-team conference with elite teams such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth.

But the Beavers had faced a tall hurdle: The WCHA had in place a moratorium on expansion.

The WCHA was well aware of Bemidji’s hopes of joining the conference. And, in January, WCHA members voted unanimously to lift that moratorium, opening the door for applicants.

Bemidji State was the only applicant, and on Monday, team and university representatives will make their case for admittance.

The Beavers are bringing a strong contingent of representatives to Florida. Included are BSU President Jon Quistgaard; Bill Maki, vice president for finance and administration; Rob Bollinger, executive director of the BSU Foundation; former BSU coach R.H. “Bob” Peters; Doug Leif, a business professor at BSU and the faculuty athletic representative; BSU head coach Tom Serratore; Athletic Director Rick Goeb; and Steve Parker, the senior project manger for Leo A Daly, Bemidji Regional Event Center designer.

“We have pretty good representation,” Goeb said.

While Goeb would not detail plans for the presentation, the list of those who comprise the presentation team suggests that everything from the history of the college and the men’s hockey team, future plans for the Bemidji Regional Event Center and the university’s commitment to the hockey program will be discussed.

“Obviously, you can see from the people we have going down there, we’re going to have a lot of different pieces covered,” Goeb said.

One of the tools available will be a virtual tour of the BREC from Leo A Daly. The tour features a collage of images of the facility and how will look from the outside and inside.

Goeb noted that the CHA conference will still be intact for the upcoming season, but that Bemidji State is hoping to solidify plans for the 2010-11 season, ideally competing in the WCHA.

He did not know when Bemidji would receive a response from the WCHA.

“It’s hard to say,” he said.

Bemidji State’s women’s hockey program already is a member of the WCHA. The presentation this week will be made to the men’s representatives of the WCHA.

[IFallsRon]

Bemidji Pioneer - 04/27/2009

Bemidji State University officials and a representative of the Leo A Daly architectural firm made a presentation to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Monday morning at Marco Island, Fla. BSU is applying to have its men's hockey team accepted as a member of the WCHA.

"I thought it went very well," said Bemidji State Athletic Director Rick Goeb. "We made our presentation and answered some questions. None of the questions came as a surprise, and we feel like we had very positive feedback."

The Bemidji contingent spent a little more than an hour with WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod and the conference men’s hockey representatives.

Now the representatives will determine the next step. Eight of the 10 WCHA schools must approve Bemidji State's application for admission.

"We expect to hear the results on Tuesday," Goeb said.

The Beavers now compete in College Hockey America but are seeking a new conference home for the men’s hockey program. The CHA will fold after the 2009-10 season because of a lack of teams.

The CHA now is composed of Bemidji, Niagara University, Robert Morris University and Alabama-Hunstville – but both Niagara and Robert Morris are set to join the Atlantic College Conference in 2010-11.

The ideal conference for Bemidji is the WCHA, a 10-team conference with elite teams such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth.

Bemidji brought a strong contingent of representatives to Florida. Included are BSU President Jon Quistgaard; Bill Maki, vice president for finance and administration; Rob Bollinger, executive director of the BSU Foundation; former BSU coach R.H. “Bob” Peters; Doug Leif, a business professor at BSU and the faculuty athletic representative; BSU head coach Tom Serratore; Goeb; and Steve Parker, the senior project manger for Leo A Daly, Bemidji Regional Event Center designer.

Bemidji State’s women’s hockey program already is a member of the WCHA. The presentation this week will be made to the men’s representatives of the WCHA.

[IFallsRon]

MIAC teams would have a hard time competing in AA state tournament. Most kids in DIII hockey probably weren't the best players on their high school teams.

[IFallsRon]

Bemidji Pioneer - 04/27/2009

Bemidji State University will learn Tuesday afternoon what happens next with its men’s hockey program.

University officials and a representative of the Leo A Daly architectural firm made a presentation to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Monday morning at Marco Island, Fla. BSU is applying to have its men’s hockey team accepted as a member of the WCHA.

A media teleconference is scheduled for 1 p.m. today. WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod will be on the phone with reporters.

“I thought it went very well,” Bemidji State Athletic Director Rick Goeb said immediately after Monday’s meeting. “We made our presentation and answered some questions. None of the questions came as a surprise, and we feel like we had very positive feedback.”

The Bemidji contingent spent a little more than an hour with McLeod and the conference men’s hockey representatives.

The representatives will determine the next step. Eight of the 10 WCHA schools must approve Bemidji State’s application for admission.

The Beavers now compete in College Hockey America but are seeking a new conference home for the men’s hockey program. The CHA will fold after the 2009-10 season because of a lack of teams.

The CHA now is composed of Bemidji State, Niagara University, Robert Morris University and Alabama-Hunstville – but both Niagara and Robert Morris are set to join the Atlantic College Conference in 2010-11.

The ideal conference for Bemidji is the WCHA, a 10-team conference with elite teams such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth.

Bemidji brought a strong contingent of representatives to Florida. Included are BSU President Jon Quistgaard; Bill Maki, vice president for finance and administration; Rob Bollinger, executive director of the BSU Foundation; former BSU coach R.H. “Bob” Peters; Doug Leif, a business professor at BSU and the faculuty athletic representative; BSU head coach Tom Serratore; Goeb; and Steve Parker, the senior project manger for Leo A Daly, Bemidji Regional Event Center designer.

Bemidji State’s women’s hockey program already is a member of the WCHA. The presentation this week will be made to the men’s representatives of the WCHA

[Bear55]

MIAC teams would have a hard time competing in AA state tournament. Most kids in DIII hockey probably weren't the best players on their high school teams.

You're kidding right?

[Cast A Way]

According to the Grand Forks Herald - the WCHA board has put the BSU application on hold while they search for a 12th team.

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association decided today that it would keep Bemidji State’s application on hold while it searches for another team to join the Beavers in applying for conference membership.

The WCHA currently has 10 teams and wants to expand to an even number for scheduling purposes.

The league says that “the commissioner’s office, in conjunction with the league’s structure committee, will head up the expansion effort with the goal of identifying potential member teams as soon as possible.”

Today, the league lifted the moratorium on expansion for the second time this year, allowing teams to apply for membership. The first time around, Bemidji State was the only team that had applied.

Bemidji State is desperately seeking conference affiliation for its men’s hockey program because its current league, College Hockey America, is disbanding after the 2009-10 season.

The earliest Bemidji State could join the WCHA would be 2011-12, so it will have to play the 2010-11 season as an independent.

“We may expand once we have completed further studies and once we have been able to identify potential members that fit the league’s criteria for membership,” commissioner Bruce McLeod said. “Obviously, there are numerous issues involved in expansion, just a few of which include the transformation from a 10-team, 28-game conference schedule to an expanded 12-member team format that would still enable us to protect our natural rivalries as best as possible, and to make sure we safeguard our successful flagship event -- the WCHA Final Five.”