Q: An April 8, 2004 article on USCHO.com mentioned the Naval Academy recently received funding for a new hockey arena. This appears to be a big step in the direction of hockey becoming a varsity sport at the Naval Academy. In a previous response to a similar question, you said "...the two biggest hurdles we have to cross are finding appropriate resources and an adequate facility." With the facility problem out of the way, what else stands in the way? Is there a possibility of fielding an NCAA Division I hockey team for the 2005-06 season? I would be interested in any information you can give me on your progress. Thank you. - asked by: Lance Wheeler -
A: Lance, the biggest hurdle we have is generating the annual resources necessary to sustain a competitive Division I hockey program. The operating budget can be close to half-a-million dollars for travel, uniforms, equipment, staff, supplies, and other related expenses. One thing we don't want to do is field a varsity team without a chance to succeed.
I'm not into doing anything half way, and supporting 30 programs at this time is a real stretch on our resources. Taking on the addition of ice hockey would be another stretch, and the money would have to come from existing allocations. Unless we can find a way to generate supplemental funding in a realistic and legitimate way, we're going to have to continue to study ice hockey as a potential varsity sport. I am, however, ambitiously approaching this project in hopes that varsity status could become a reality somewhere down the road.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
Q: How soon after the McMullen center breaks ground do you expect Navy to field a Division I Men's Ice Hockey Team? - asked by: Mary Beth Miller -
A: Mary Beth, thanks for your note with regard to the proposed hockey center and ice hockey program. There are a number of logistical issues that have to be worked out on both fronts; both the construction of the facility and the consideration for elevation of ice hockey to Division I. There are no guarantees that that will be the case. However, I assure you we're studying it carefully to determine if, in fact, it's feasible to engage in Division I ice hockey at Navy. As it stands now, the team competes in a league that is highly competitive against similar institutions in the surrounding area. A Division I program brings with it a number of requirements and demands that have to be studied before any educated decision can be made.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
Q: I am a Naval Academy graduate and was assistant captain of the hockey team in 1989-1990. I have been following the hockey team of and on ever since I graduated, and was ecstatic to hear the Naval Academy might finally be giving the hockey team the respect it deserves and allowing/supporting the program in a bid to establish a Division I status. I am well aware of the limitations of Dahlgren Hall as a D-1 facility and understand that private funding for a new facility will be critical to this effort. I'd like to suggest the following option: Form a partnership with the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and use some of the land at the football stadium to build a large community center with two sheets of ice, an Olympic swimming pool, tennis courts, etc. This option allows the Naval Academy to partner with the local community to build a facility that will provide fun, enjoyment, community interest, community involvement, and a host of other benefits for decades to come.
You would be FAR more likely to raise the funds required to accomplish this initiative, and the hockey team would have the opportunity to achieve the D-1 status much more quickly.
It has been my observation throughout the years that Navy's failure to establish the hockey program as a D-1 entity - using the excuse that a D-1 program is simply not cost effective - has been a farce. Properly managed, and properly advertised, Navy Hockey could easily become a local community draw and would likely provide the same level of local interest as Navy Basketball - perhaps even more interest with the proper management by the Athletic Department.
I hope you, as the AD, can find a way to make this happen. The building of this Annapolis Community Center, and the elevation of Navy Hockey to D-1 status, could provide numerous benefits to not only the Academy, but also the surrounding community.
Very respectfully,
- asked by: LCDR J.R. Olson, USN -
A: Commander, thanks for your analysis and overview of the possible elevation of the Club hockey program to Division I status. As the Athletic Director with an eight-year tenure at Boston College, overseeing one of the top Division I hockey programs in the United States, I do have some idea about what it takes to field a successful team. Although I appreciate your enthusiasm, I don't necessarily agree with your conclusion. I know exactly what it takes and will work diligently to review the feasibility of making that commitment. We have concluded a very comprehensive study with regard to the issues that would be most significant regarding the elevation of this program. The matter is under review and simply because we will build a new ice hockey rink, does not guarantee that ice hockey will become Division I. We will field a team at the Division I level if we can resource it properly and be competitive at the Division I level. I have no interest in elevating a Club program with Club resources, Club staff, Club equipment, and a Club travel budget, to get hammered week after week playing teams that are properly supported by other institutions. Programming anyone for failure is not an interest of mine. Currently we sponsor 30 sports at the Division I level, all with a very realistic chance to be a champion in their respective conference, league or division. The same must hold true for any other programs we would offer.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
