The State of NCRHA

[paddymac]

When are you guys going to start thinking about things that matter? Complaining about stats is stupid. I'm better then you are......who cares, that's what we play the games for. I'm worried about where the league is headed.....or more like where it isn't headed. As it stands now it doesn't come off as much more then an expensive, glorified, beer league.

There are alot of people who work hard for this league, but what are they working for? I'd love to see a plan of some sort, on where the league is headed. What are the short term goals? What are the long term goals? I'm sure we're working towards something, but does anyone know what it is? If we're not working towards something, that's a shame and it needs to be defined. If the plan is the status quo, that's pretty sad.

When are we going to see some DII teams move up to DI? I don't want to hear the "we're at a disadvantage we don't have as many students" argument. The good teams are good every year and it's not because of the size of the student body. It's because of funding, structure, organization, and hard work. When will we restructure around these factors?

What are we going to do about an NCT that is basically decided in two divisions before the teams even show up? I think what Lindenwood has is great, but they have a clear advantage over every other team in the league. I'm not saying we need to level the playing field, but do some sort of restrictions need to be put in place?

Why don't we have NCT in the same place every year? St Louis is ideal. It's central to everyone, affordable to get to, and it's a great area for hockey where we could potentially develop a following. I know it's not glamorous, but it makes sense for all the right reasons.

Why do we have a rulebook? Rules are well defined and in place for a reason. There was a situation this year in the MCRHL where a clear rule infraction took place and the league at regional and national level basically looked the other way. Rules are meant to be objective not subjective; hearing about the "spirit of the rule" is ridiculous. Why should any team follow the rules, when you can cheat and get away with it? Teams playing without following uniform requirements? That's as basic a rule infraction as you can have and it was allowed? How fair is that to all the teams who fundraised or convinced their school to give them more money for their legal uniforms? Do we even need a restriction on uniforms? Why?

I've had enough ranting for now......it's time for everyone to start looking at the big picture. I don't want to hear "get involved." When is the league going to start giving teams responsibilities and requiring them to fulfill them for their membership? The biggest resource this league has, its members, is not being used.

[MBurke]

Please see attached doc - ECRHA is doing this for 2007-2008 (it's just a quick breakdown, not meant to be a comprehensive doc).

There have also been numerous proposals over the last 5 years to fix a lot of these problems, but most of the pushback has come from regional directors who claim that it's not representative of what their teams want. If they are incorrect, it's the job of team reps and players to inform them of their opinions and pressure them to follow through.

I hate to keep harping on the "get involved" portion of things, but the only way change comes about is through the voice of the teams and players. It doesn't mean you necessarily have to volunteer to run your region, but make an effort to think up solutions and lobby for them regionally and nationally. It's the same as any other type of politics!

[DGlass]

Regarding the ECRHA's 2007-08 initiative.

The ECRHA has long realized that a team's talent has little to do with the size of the school. In the beginning (think MAR - Huck, Brennan et al.), inline hockey was not a widely popular sport. It was more often than not the larger schools which could field competitive teams (though RIT was the exception). Now, with a core group of dedicated staff and volunteers, the ECRHA is prepared to take the next step towards building a marketable league and company.

The ECRHA's 2007-2008 initiative is designed to inch teams towards a higher level of organization and grow the sport. The idea is to provide incentives to clubs to become more organized and, eventually, more talented and competitive.


To echo Burke's statement, this is only possible because there has been more call to action and more people standing up to make this work. Current staff, current and former players, parents and coaches have all volunteered their insight and ideas (and time) to the league in telling us it is truly time to take the next all-important step. I hope to recruit more student-athletes to take a role in the future of the ECRHA and embrace the opportunities available to gain real-world experience that can and will help in the future.

I hope that players, parents and coaches in other regions take a close look at what the ECRHA is doing. Think about it and let us know if you agree with our methodology. Give us recommendations. Tell us what we are doing wrong, and why. Tell us what we are doing right, and how.

I hope other regions embrace what we are trying to do, move this sport ahead and establish it as more than just a 'glorified beer league'. I harbor no grand illusions that we will be on Sportscenter next year (or in 5 years, for that matter). But I do believe we can carve our own niche and make more people proud to have played for the CRHL/NCRHA and their respective teams.

[BccCP33]

"Why don't we have NCT in the same place every year? St Louis is ideal. It's central to everyone, affordable to get to, and it's a great area for hockey where we could potentially develop a following. I know it's not glamorous, but it makes sense for all the right reasons.

Why do we have a rulebook? Rules are well defined and in place for a reason. There was a situation this year in the MCRHL where a clear rule infraction took place and the league at regional and national level basically looked the other way. Rules are meant to be objective not subjective; hearing about the "spirit of the rule" is ridiculous. Why should any team follow the rules, when you can cheat and get away with it? Teams playing without following uniform requirements? That's as basic a rule infraction as you can have and it was allowed? How fair is that to all the teams who fundraised or convinced their school to give them more money for their legal uniforms? Do we even need a restriction on uniforms? Why?"


In our situation. This was our 1st year in the league. We didnt know and they knew we didnt know. Plus there were only 6 teams in DIII.. as tournament director, are you personally gunna tell a group of people that each spent individually $500+ (with no help from school) of their money to come play at nationals that they cannot play? No you wouldn't. You'd make an inital exception and not allow it to happen again. we're not anarchists, cuz we had a big tour logo on our @ss, which is why we getting new jerseys (w/ matching pants too!)

As far as where the NCT hsould be held? That site was good but you can't give GP teams the home court advantage every year, there are plenty of rinks that can host this tourny.

[Leaferguy]

As far as where the NCT hsould be held? That site was good but you can't give GP teams the home court advantage every year, there are plenty of rinks that can host this tourny.

Agreed, and may I say that as a goaltender (I use that loosely), the square crease or arbitrary arc crease is not cool. I know it's a small thing, but small things like that drive me nuts Aside from that, the NCAA moves its championships yearly and they're pretty legit.

[TUcoach]

I feel that alot of the NCRHA problems come form the regions themselves. The Ncrha does have a rule book and should be enforce across the board. Being a first year team is No excuse for not knowing the rules. Being a 1st year team is more of a reason to read them and know what your up against. Also, somewere down the line your regional director should have said something to you about it. Keep in mind that Nassua was a first year team.

That being said, the NCRHA has made improvement in the past year, perfect no, room for improvement..yes. But it take more from the players, teams, coaches, and the regions. The attitude of just pay your dues and play and whatever happens happens has got to stop.

[MAmato]

In our situation. This was our 1st year in the league. We didnt know and they knew we didnt know.

I don't buy that for a second. It's clearly outlined in the rulebook, and there have been plenty of first year teams that managed to purchase uniforms. You guys got off easy.

[BccCP33]

I don't buy that for a second. It's clearly outlined in the rulebook, and there have been plenty of first year teams that managed to purchase uniforms. You guys got off easy.

yeah, we did.

that won't be expected next year.

[GripperWheels]

Great post.......""where the league is headed.....or more like where it isn't headed. As it stands now it doesn't come off as much more then an expensive, glorified, beer league. ""

THATS why next years rules 5 year eligibility and no pro rule will water down the league even more. They do not want the best players playing.
MORE RULES for a club sport equals less players playing next year that are the best. We do not want GOLD level play. Bring in next years rules and the best players will be cut out from Lindenwood and the rest of the good teams. 5 years and the no pros/bad rules.

How about some showcase games between the best college teams not the Bronze league Beer teams..... This has to make sense to somebody.
Do not let the rule book, rule out more players or you must be one of the people that likes that the refs decide the game with there hand up all the time.

[islanderfan]

The uniform deal has been a problem for a long time. Back in 2001, at nationals, my team was informed a month before the tournament that we needed to have a light & dark jersey, or we would not be eligible to play. We managed to buy jerseys and get the numbers put on them in time (one guys jersey # did not match on both jerseys). We were read the riot act about this. Later in the tournament, we faced another team who did not have enough light or dark jerseys to outfit their entire squad. When I mentioned this to the national board just before our game, they told me they would make a decision, (and promptly left the building) leaving the decision to the refs and us to decide. We played the game, but we should never have been put into that situation.
I do believe the board of the NCRHA is better than that now. I wouldn't expect them to walk away from the problem, but it seems as if they are still not willing to enforce the rules they publish. My point is that rules must be enforced across the board, no exceptions, or they should be disgarded. It would be a shame to travel to nationals and not be allowed to play, but it is equally bad to force one team to adhere to the rules and let another one slide.
In my opinion, the NCRHA has made great strides in making the games and officiating more uniform. It's a growing experience, but once a rule is written, it must be enforced. No one rule is above another. If I am allowed to disregard the uniform rule, I should also be allowed to disregard the enrolled credit requirement, or any other rule. The NCRHA's best course of action is to establish ,publish and enforce the rules . If they wish to go above and beyond, they can remind people of the rules when they accept a bid to the nationals. If a team disregards the rules after this, it is not the NCRHA's fault that they can not play, but the fault of the team.

Jerry Remsbecker
KSU Roller Hockey Club
Faculty Adviser & Coach

[MBurke]

While I agree with putting the 5-year eligibility rule up for debate, I really don't think professional ice or roller hockey players should be playing a college sport, regardless of intent.

It's not about maintaining a level of play or any reason other than preserving status as a sport of amateur athletes. Is it really good for the overall reputation of the league to have guys that were paid to play in the OHL or RHI now back playing a college sport? While it may get some fleeting publicity, there are better ways to go about it.

That said, HOW we define a professional roller hockey player is definitely something that needs to be addressed.

[ISFN]

I don't understand how it will water down the league one bit?

I play both PIHA and NCRHA and would drop PIHA in a second for college.

I think the new "no pro" rule will only make the sport as a whole better, it was give kids an avenue after college. I think it will make college better as kids will now only focus on college and then after their college years can move onto the pros, the pro league here at Gateway isn't anything more than an Elite college league with 4 teams.

..And why would you not have a 5 year eligibility rule, it shouldn't take more than that to graduate, your only promoting failure.

..And yes I hope it waters down lindenwood, they won't ever be able to replace Marchand and Thompson and thats a good thing!

I'm calling it now, their streak will end next year

[islanderfan]

5 year eligibility and no pros are good rules. Like it or not, NCAA is the standard for college sports. It has been many years since any true college sport has allowed more than 5 years eligibility or pros to play. This is all in an effort to make the sports competitive college sports. I'm not aware of any college ice hockey players in the pros and playing for their college at the same time. You have to make a choice. By the way, the five year rule is not new. It's been on the books since the beginning of the NCRHA, there were no reliable records before that, so in an effort to be fair, the NCRHA established 5 years NCRHA eligibility. Everyone should have been aware that that was coming. The banning of professionals in a college sport should have been a given from day one.
College sports are not about competition of the best (see NHL, NFL, NBA, etc) but are more interesting than that because they are about students striving to do their best in a sport while concentrating on an education.

Jerry Remsbecker
KSU Roller Hockey Club
Faculty Adviser & Coach

[KillinAintShe]

No, move Nationals around the country. Having it at home blows.

[ISFN]

No, move Nationals around the country. Having it at home blows.

You got your sun tan lotion? Well I think your going to need it next year, stay tuned for hopfully an offical annoucement!