Big Ten Hockey Conference is Official

Thanks to Penn State, the Big Ten finally has the tools to form what should be a powerful college hockey conference:

The Big Ten Conference today announced the intention to recommend the establishment of men’s ice hockey as an official conference sport, with The Pennsylvania State University one of the six institutions that would compete for the 2013-14 academic year.

Penn State is establishing NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs, with the first season of competition set for 2012-13. The Nittany Lions would join Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin in vying for the Big Ten men’s ice hockey championship. Big Ten rules allow for a conference championship when six institutions sponsor a program in any given sport.

If I knew more about the inner working of college hockey, I'd surely have much more for you on this. But I do appreciate the benefit this will offer the Big Ten conference and Penn State.

While we're at it, does anyone out there interested in blogging PSU/BigTen hockey? Shoot me an email.

For some more on Penn State and the Big Ten re:Hockey, check this stuff out:

Slow States
MGoBlog
The Daily Gopher

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Just another million for Penn State hockey

Paul and Nancy Silvis of State College pledged $1 million to building the Penn State Division I hockey program. Normally, a million-dollar contribution to a college sports team would be very big news. Well, normally, that million-dollar donation doesn't come on the heels of a near-100-million-dollar donation.

Mo' money comin' up:

The main lobby of the Pegula Ice Arena will be named after the Paul and Nancy Silvis family. The couple will also co-chair the Penn State Ice Campaign Committee, which will help to raise an additional $10 million to complement the gift from the Pegulas for the ice arena and ice hockey program endowments.

Can't say much else, particularly since any personal feelings on this matter teeter too close to bringing politics and such into sports, which I vehemently oppose doing. So, we should just enjoy that PSU hockey is getting some more love.

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Shocker! PSU hockey will play in 'Pegula Ice Arena'

This has to have been one of the biggest surprises we've heard in a long time, right?

Penn State's Board of Trustees today approved the name of the University's future state-of-the-art, multi-purpose arena - "Pegula Ice Arena"- after donors Terrence M. and Kim Pegula. In mid-September, the University announced the Pegulas' $88 million gift, the largest private gift in Penn State's history, which was intended to fund the arena as well as help to establish an NCAA Division I men's hockey program.


Okay, so what did we expect, Penn State to just forgo a press release just because everyone and their mother knew the arena would be named after the Pegulas? Of course not. I just can't imagine there aren't a few smirks floating around as these puppies roll off the keyboard and out to the press.

Still, hockey will be big at Penn State. It's a good move by Penn State, regardless of your opinions on one entity basically buying an entire athletic program for the school. Obviously, Penn State wasn't going to say, "eh, no thanks." So we should be grateful that what has long been considered a potential hotbed for college hockey will finally get the chance to roar.

The arena will be completed and opened in 2013, and should play host to much more than college hockey, including what many anticipate to be a perfect location for Pens-Flyers rumbles.

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Penn State D-I Hockey Arena Location Rumor

The parking lot near the Shields Building,
across from the BJC is the most likely place
for Penn State's new hockey arena. (Image: PSU Map)

After hearing a rumor this week, I decided to check it out. (What's this? Actual reporting?) So I asked around, and it seems that Penn State is looking at building a hockey arena near or in the Shields Building parking lot, across from the Bryce Jordan Center.

With all the hype around football season, it's not unexpected that the hockey situation has flown pretty far under the radar. But after years of winning club titles, Penn State will finally make the jump to D-I hockey. The Icers have been one of the most successful teams at Penn State, but because of the level at which they play, they're not paid any attention.

We'll try to keep up on this story best we can here at LBU.

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