USA Hockey magazine

[JLambertUMSL]

The USA Hockey magazine I received in the mail contained a USA Hockey Inline section, featuring the college national championships. Among the photos was a decent sized shot of Kyle Gouge of Lindenwood going up against Doug Purk and Thomas Ames of UMSL. I went to Borders today to pick up another copy, since it's not every day that UMSL roller hockey gets a photo in a slick-paper magazine...

Much to my surprise, the inline section is completely omitted from the newsstand version of USA Hockey Magazine. Sorry to be un-PC, but that's absolutely fricking retarded.

No UMSL/LU photo, no Neumann photos, no Cantrell photo, no Richard Graham article. That magazine went straight to the dumpster. I just wasted $3.95 plus tax.

Does USA Hockey only include the inline section in subscription versions of the magazine, and not the newsstand version? If so, screw those idiots. What a bunch of crap. Pardon my language, but I'm pissed.

[socalhockey]

I'm not surprised one bit, because USA Hockey does not support roller hockey.

[JLambertUMSL]

I'm not surprised one bit, because USA Hockey does not support roller hockey.

Screw them then. Why do we pay dues?

[MBurke]

The insert for inline is ONLY inserted in inline hockey player subscriptions. Not newsstand versions, not ice hockey subscriptions either. USAHIL doesn't have much control over that - they've tried, that I know.

We're a small fish in the USA Hockey pond - that is true, and if you were at the USA Hockey Congress like I was last week, you'll understand why. Roller hockey membership numbers nationwide are miniscule in comparison to ice hockey. USA caters to its constituents, and roller hockey players aren't a big part of that.

As for the "What does USA Hockey InLine do for NCRHA?" question:


Donates significant amounts of money to help defray the cost of nationals
Donates meeting room time during the annual Congress for the NCRHA Board to meet annually (like we did last week in Colorado)
Picks up the tab for Bill Courtland to come in and do radio broadcasts during nationals
Provides supplemental insurance to all players, extending coverage through events and all practices.
Provides staffing resources for both nationals and regional events, free of charge, as requested (usually to help with USAHIL and league registration - I know they come to our All-Star event every year)
Helps organize and provide resources for coaching and referee clinics
Helps with marketing the league to HS and youth segments
Helps NCRHA any other way they ask for


So, that's why you pay dues.

In general, any lack of help seen from USAHIL has only been because it hasn't been publicized or utilized by NCRHA. They're extremely helpful, and we plan to take much better advantage of the last few points starting this season.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Mike,

Excellent post.

I contacted Gary Del Vecchio, and he informed me that the inline section is sent to inline members only, because of the costs involved.

I had no idea, but I can see how it makes sense economically. On the other hand, it's a shame that thousands of ice hockey players and administrators are not as informed about our great game as they probably should be.

[thebenchman]

WOW!!

What a GREAT way to support and IMPROVE the awareness of In line Hockey.
Sheesh!!

Cost factor? As a former Print shop owner it cost more to REMOVE it as you print the magazine than to leave it running.

This is exactly why we cant get everyone on one page to promote the sport. Mike, I understand your thoughts and that is a GREAT thing for them to do for the NCRHA.

However to not have something about the excitement of the College Game in the national publication is absolutely insane. Politics are killing this sport!! In fighting about who IS the leader, and yet the game sits back and gets something (PIHA) going and it starts to suck, too. If the leaders in the so called top positions cant figure how to unite the game and get their own egos out of the way, this spectacular game will be nothing more than a grab ass game for those in charge to pocket money and nothing more. If appears that manufacturers try to keep every "organization" happy. I dont blame them at all, they need to make money, too.

For the many years I was heavily involved and now I just sit back and see a different vision of the sport, it sickens me to see what this has become. People wake up!! The statements of play for the name on the front of the sweater is the pride you play for. For the major "EGOS" out there they dont give a rats a$$ about the game unless it provides pocket money by the truck load.

Sorry but I HAD to get this off my chest!!



Roy

[zipyaj]

Not to take away from the core content about USA Hockey magazine, but another spin on hockey publishers could be Arizona Rubber Magazine (Minneapolis-based Good Sport Media, Inc.) that covers the Ice and Roller segments in that state (they also publish California Rubber magazine). They've now added Lacrosse to their coverage and content.

As you might well imagine, too, most hockey publishers are starving for quality inline coverage to fill their pages whether online or in print.

Squeaky wheels going unheard don't get oiled!

[catch]

I say take the magazine back out of the trash, wipe of the coffee grounds, take it back to the store and tell them look this was supposed to have a roller hockey section, it doesnt and you knew it when you sold it to me. You owe me $3.95, plus taxes, $50.00 in gas and a public apology.

alternatively, you could use the magazine to line the bottom of a litter box.

Free Rom Ramage