Article out of Kazoo discussing how the CCHA is trying to use tv to grow the sport of college Hockey at http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2008/01/ccha_works_to_grow_sport_of_ho.html

Listing for televised hockey matches for CCHA and other Division 1 squads at http://www.collegehockeylive.com

Article out of Wolverine country regarding ESPN and the 2008 NCAA Hockey Tourney at http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/120645601067360.xml&coll=2

In addition to the CCHA trying to improve their TV distribution,the rival WCHA is looking at ramping up it's tv situation.Currently the WCHA only holds tv rights to about 2 games per school with the schools retaining the remainder.They are currently negotiating with other networks to include the BTN and are considering their own network.Link at

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/18550594.html

Blog article from Colonials country suggesting that a successful WCHA tv network could help to start networks for other college hockey leagues.Link at http://centreicespot.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-college-hockey-on-television-maybe.html

Article from Nittany Lion country regarding the struggle to raise money to try and advance the PSU club hockey program into a NCAA Division 1 school for that sport.
If successful,it PSU would be the 6th Big Ten school to have a Division 1 hockey program.PSU could be a candidate to join the "eastern"division of the CCHA.They look to be a few years away from success.Link at http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2008/05/01/money_blocking_icers_di_prospe.aspx

I don't see why the Big Ten wouldn't be hoping for Penn St. to upgrade. Sponsoring hockey would allow the league to really showcase the sport on the Big Ten network and allow more live programming.

Michigan
Ohio St.
Michigan St.
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Penn St.

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And I've never quite understood why the Ivy League didn't do the same:

Princeton
Harvard
Yale
Cornell
Brown
Dartmouth

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And then there is the Patriot League that would need a few upgrades:

Army
Holy Cross
Colgate

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While fans don't make the decisions, I think a lot of fans would be really upset if they had to give up their conference memberships for this leave. They prefer to stay in the leagues they are currently in.

Although, I have ready somewhere that if 6 Big 10 schools have the sport, then the Big 10 HAS (?) to offer them a home to play in. I'm not sure if this is correct. Maybe Freaked knows???

This question about PSU upgrading hockey comes up every now and then and it's a simple question of money. PSU isn't willing to put up the money to start a full fledged hockey program with the associated costs.

I mean, PSU already plays 8 home FB games... where is this extra money going to come from??? ::)

The focus of this thread seems to have evolved away from college hockey on tv to college hockey conference realignment.
First,here is link to previous related thread on this board at http://collegesportsinfo/forum/viewtopic.php?t=229

The topic of the Big Ten forming it's own hockey conference was discussed there.I posted a couple of articles on the conferences and money thread(replies #630 & 707) last fall regarding the BTN televising hockey matches of the five Big Ten schools with D-1 squads.

As of last fall the Big Ten was only interested in setting up some type of enhanced College Hockey Showcase featuring the 5 Big Ten hockey schools to provide programming for the BTN.That scheme would/could involve some type of "rump" Big Ten championship and trophy.
As far as I know negotiations amongst the interested parties is ongoing.
Here is link to MB discussion regarding that area at http://board.uscho.com/archive/index.php/t-73674.html

Relatively recent article with comments by CCHA Commish regarding ongoing negotiations with the BTN for league games at http://michigancollegehockey.blogspot.com/2008/03/anastos-hosts-saturday-brunch.html

Also,article regarding possible WCHA expansion beyond 10 schools at http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/13735796.html

With regards to Big Ten hockey, as a current student of a Big Ten school, I would like to see the Big Ten sponsor hockey. They could possibly invite some schools to be hockey-only members.

One school on the Big Ten radar, Syracuse, is starting women's varsity hockey in Fall 2008. If they later decide to start men's hockey, that might give them another advantage in clinching the Big Ten's 12th spot as an all-sports member.