In Line Hockey Dieing?

[coolrider88]

Is the demand for inline roller hockey slowy deminishing in all states? I have noticed less sales of products, plus harder to fine in state. Less places offering or promoting the sport? Anyone? Thanks.

[StartForward33]

ya in Nevada well renop part all hockey is done for now. they closed our only hockey place. it sucks really bad.

Looking For A 16U Team To Join.

[fbr3of4]

Too many tournament series. Not enough organization. No true hierarchy or organization of tournament series. Too many calling themselves professionals without merit.

[boardman]

Is part of the reason for the decline that Roller Hockey is seen by most as being a part of Ice Hockey as seen on TV,before on this forum it has been stated that we need to look at Roller Hockey and try to make it different from ice both in playing and marketing, as at present we look like the also-rans of ice that didn't make it.
In europe we ruin three disciplines of roller hockey which all vie for the same players and the same resources, my personal view is that inline puck is the most up to date version of Rink(or quad hockey) started in europe over 100 years ago. But it is the World Organisations that need to talk and take a lead in what, which and how the 21 century game is going or not.

[coolrider88]

How difficult is it to get high schools and colleges give scholarships away towards this sport. Also hard hard is it to attract the high schools to join or come aboard. Use the scholarship money towards any degree. Unlike going pro inother sports? Wouldn't this work?? I am talking about high schools and colleges that cann ot afford larger sports and carry them.

[MBurke]

In my area, many high schools won't even recognize their ice hockey teams as varsity sports. I don't know of many at all in the country that recognize their roller hockey teams as school-affiliated.

College roller hockey is a club sport. Scholarships are only given for varsity sports, and that only happens if the sport is recognized by the NCAA or another major sanctioning body. Even if roller hockey were to be recognized by NCAA, schools would have difficulty funding an additional athletic program - most schools in the country (even those without football or other high-profile sports) are actively cutting their "established" programs like wrestling, gymnastics, and track in order to comply with Title IX and scaled-back budgets.

To my knowledge, no high school gives scholarships directly to students towards college for any purpose, especially for participation in a club.

Mike Burke
Director of League Operations - NCRHA
Commissioner - ECRHA<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by MikeBurke on 06/27/05 01:44 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

[born2runPROgm]

IMO I feel that it's not really fair to say that Inline Hockey in dying. From reading the various posts around this site, I gather that everyone's really trying to say "Roller hockey is dying, In the USA".
I think that is a fair and possibly realistic statement. However, from reading the many other articles, posts and checking the other International Inline websites, I think it can be said that Roller hockey as a sport is thriving Internationally.
This site shows how theres a awesome tournament continuing in Asia, demonstrating the phenomenal support out there. You can also look at the new article on hockey in south america. from the looks of the pictures, the games are well organized and in unique environments. Then you can look at the VIHA in Australia. An amazingly well run organization that works in conjuction with the countries Ice hockey association. They have many divisions and even there own Pro league, similar to our PIHA.
The MLRH super leagues expanding to Europe is another good example of the growth of the game internationally.
As far as Inline Hockey in the US, I agree with most of the statements already posted on this message. Too many organizations competing, seperating the players.
On a positive note, the improvements made on THE ELITE LEAGUE and for PIHA next season are providing "A new Hope" for Pro and Elite roller hockey in the US.
One other interesting point. Last week, we had the National World Street Hockey (played in shoes) Championships played here in Pittsburgh. There were 20 or so teams from various countries participating. Shockingly, over the course of the week, several thousand spectators came to view the various games. What does everone think: if a World Roller Hockey Championships were played in the US, would that kind of fan support result?

11

[CoachFoo]

Here in Douglas County, Colorado, You can letter in the sport of roller hockey. I started a middle school team in Castle Rock, we had three teams out of the one school in the first year. (Last year). It's going fairly strong in this state. High school inline is on the rise.

[RichardGraham]

Hey Folks,

I think inline hockey died several years ago -- if you look at the sport as a fad, or as a way to make a quick buck. Those days are long gone, and the companies that jumped into the sport to make that quick dollar are history.

The people who are into inline hockey for the long term, who are working their butts off for very little recognition, know that it's going to take a lot of work, a lot of patience and a willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of the sport.

I take heart in the history of the NHL -- which itself began with many fits and starts in its early years. The fact that the league didn't play at all this season is a wake-up call to those of us who assumed that a successful "pro" league would solve all of the sport's problems.

To me, inline hockey is a great sport that has never received its due from the mass media. The fact that there are successful bass-fishing and monster-truck shows on cable television tells me that inline hockey still has a chance to be successful, if we can learn to work together to maximize profits for everyone, instead of trying to cannibalize the sport for a quick "wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am" profit.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[born2runPROgm]

We started the high school league out in Monterey, CA in 1996. since then, it's grown to over a dozen teams, and many schools offer letters in the sport.

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[MBurke]

California and Colorado seem to be the most progressive in terms of high school roller hockey being recognized by schools - as Rich alluded to, it takes dedicated people to make it happen.

Mike Burke
Director of League Operations - NCRHA
Commissioner - ECRHA

[minutemen]

yes i agree 100 %. the key to any organization is dedicated people. when I grew up in ice hockey in MA. the people in our youth hockey program were dedicated and were a family, i stress a family. We won state championships and nationals championships. And now that league is horrible and the teams are a disgrace. In order for a program or league to work you need people working as one, all on the same page.

Morristown Minutemen Pro Minor Hockey Organization. <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by minutemen on 06/28/05 09:31 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

[Brooklynite10]

Good point about the international status of the sport. Just curious about what improvements are taking place for PIHA next season ??

[goalieman293782]

high school hockey is thriving in western PA with close to 75 teams in the varsity, jv, middle school, and elementary divisions... my school offers letters for varsity inline players

[born2runPROgm]

this is true. it's huge out here in west. pa

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[Hystyk28]

It's the 5 year lag:) W. PA has!

[StartForward33]

they should tecruitmore people. like come to the western states. it would be cool for hocey to be big in the western area like Nevada. we used to have a team called Rage and Renegades but that was like 5 years ago. now we got nothing. please someone help us.

Looking For A 16U Team To Join.

[JohnHockey1798]

There you use to be multiple rinks in Las Vegas and now we are down to one. Roller Hockey boomed here in the 96-97. Then it all fall apart because they could not make money. That is why no one will open a new rink other then the one we have. The city builds all these outdoor rinks but will not build a indoor facility. Hopefully it will become as big as it was. I remember when Reno and the surrounding areas had two roller rinks.

John

Toga!! Toga!!

[coolrider88]

In CT we had at least 80 teams of roller, in the first three years that it became popular, and now we are down to 10. Where did everyone go and why? Can they and will they come back if we had a great new rink within the same area or will this just end up like it is now. It's a shame to see this happen. All other rinks around have very few teams. One place has some, but it is not regulation size at all, and players do not enjoy getting a stick in the face all the time. I wish I could see it make a come back. I have been into Roller and Ice for many many years and I wish it would turn around.

[coolrider88]

Yes it sad but true. Dek and Roller is dieing in our state. People are no longer playing the less expensive alternative sport vers playing ice hockey, which by the way no comparsion. People either getting older and just plan quiting or the last soles moving on to roller if at all or ice hockey. It's a shame both sports had potential. I would have loved to see the sport flurish and continue on. What else can be said or done, I see no direction. This might be a call out to all in the industry to try to pull together and make these two sports work some how, some way.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by coolrider88 on 07/14/05 08:07 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

[godudes]

I think inline is still searching for an identity. The trend is to super star players, but the real joy of the game, and the draw, is the local leagues. People love to play, that is what it is about. How can we make it fun to read about, and still appeal to the kids that just love to play. I am from Toms River, NJ, and our kids won the little league championship 5 years back. Most little league kids will never see Williamsport. But kids love to play baseball. My son gave up baseball for roller hockey. The beauty and joy of roller hockey is letting all kids at all levels play the game. I have a website that makes the regular kids the stars, and they love it. godudes.org

Media Dude

[MDE3]

actually participation in youth sports is down across the board according to one rink owner I know who cavasses the whole youth sports activity....to blame is the age of electronics, with kids electing to play on their computors or computor games rather than participate in live sports...

a phase no doubt or at least hopefully where physical participation will somehow regain it's appeal.

[Brooklynite10]

Good point !