Hockey's fate rests with WCHA

The puck is in the WCHA's zone.

The fate of Bemidji State University's men's hockey program rests on the program's acceptance into the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the ability to gain 2.5 million in pledges by May of 2008 said Bemidji State president Jon Quistgaard.

"The future of hockey on campus can only be assured through the men's program gaining both admission into the WCHA and the raising of 2.5 million in pledges by May of 2008," Quistgaard told faculty, staff and students during a campus budget presentation Thursday. "I know there are those who disagree with my approach. However, I do not see any other solution to the Division I challenge. These are the steps necessary to ensure the future of our proud hockey tradition."

The plan is part of a proposal to adjust expenditures by $5 million campus-wide by 2010, presented during an on-campus press conference Thursday. The proposal also includes a permanent reduction in university operating budget support for athletics of $750,000 by 2010, Quistgaard said at the presentation.

But the fate of BSU's athletic department hinges on the fate of the men's hockey program.

"After careful analysis and consultation, I have determined that a number of additional actions must be accomplished to complete the restructuring of our athletic offerings," Quistgaard said at the presentation. "The path we will take depends upon whether Bemidji State can remain in Division I sports. If we can then restructuring will occur in the remaining sports. If we cannot, we will no longer be able to participate at the Division I level and this knowledge will drive restructuring within athletics."

The plan first calls for the men's hockey program to gain acceptance into the WCHA by May of 2008, Quistgaard said.

The men's hockey program in terms of league affiliation is reportedly on shaky ground, Quistgaard said.

CHA member Wayne State University is actively looking to leave the CHA and have reportedly applied to the CCHA.

The CHA now has five teams and with an NCAA waiver still hold an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.

With just four teams, however, the CHA could no longer have an automatic bid and the league would most likely dissolve.

Quistgaard's plan for the BSU men's hockey program to change leagues must overcome several obstacles, however, as the WCHA currently has a moratorium on expansion.

But Quistgaard said the WCHA is aware of BSU's desire to join the league and this April the university will make its case to lift that moratorium.

"We are going to very aggressively pursue membership on the men's side of the WCHA," Quistgaard said at a press conference following the campus presentation.

The men's hockey plan also calls for pledges amounting to $2.5 million be generated from donations.

The $2.5 million, Quistgaard said, is needed to achieve the necessary financial stability and to enable on-going commitments of the men's hockeyprogram.

Plans are for that $2.5 million to be spent down at a half million dollars per year as the program moves into the WCHA and into the new regional events center.

The fate of men's hockey will take about a year to be decided, Quistgaard said, staving off the proposed $750,000 in cuts.

"As we look to next year you should anticipate that you're going to see the same palate that we had this year," he said.

Only after the fate of the men's hockey program is determined will the fate of the rest of the athletic department be known.

"Once we know where we are with the hockey situation that will begin to drive the other decisions," he said.

Areas within the athletic department to be studied include, but are not limited to, the number of coaches hired as well as the amount of scholarships offered.

"We know that we need to reorganize our athletic programs," Quistgaard said, "depending on the direction (men's hockey) takes."

He stressed that it is too early to tell if one or more athletic programs could be cut altogether.

"I don't want to engage in that speculation right now until we know more," Quistgaard said. "We're just not at a point where we know enough that I could comment on that with some assuredness."

Also proposed in the restructuring plan pertaining to athletics is the raising of student athletic fees and increasing ticket prices for men's hockey games.