When the Big Ten conference decided to form their own league for NCAA ice hockey, many fans wondered if Nebraska would make the leap to sanctioning the sport as one of their own.
Of course, as with many things, several questions arise about the feasibility of making such a move.
Many fans support the idea of the Huskers making the leap, while others have questions about several areas. The major areas where there seems to be a concern are logistics, fan support and the Title IX implications of adding another sport.
As far as logistics are concerned, Pinnacle Bank Arena has the capability to support an ice sheet where the Husker hockey team could play their games.
This itself adds evidence towards the positive given that the arena is already home to the men’s and women’s basketball games. Keep in mind the venue hosts several big concerts throughout the year.
There is also an existing arena where the team could practice. The John Breslow Ice Hockey Center opened a little over a year and a half ago to great fanfare. The center is currently used for youth hockey and the Nebraska club hockey team.
There would be a very easy fix to the Title IX implications of adding another men’s sport to Nebraska’s lineup. The simple addition of women’s ice hockey would solve any imbalance in men’s and women’s sports at Nebraska.
The Big Ten conference is also sanctioning women’s ice hockey, although not as many of the member institutions have women’s teams.
Another possibility would be to add women’s field hockey to the sports in which Nebraska participates. Currently, the Big Ten conference has nine schools that participate in field hockey, including rival school Iowa.
Quite possibly the biggest question that arises with Nebraska adding ice hockey is whether or not there would be enough fan support to make it feasible.
Currently, the only ice hockey team in Lincoln is the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, and they easily draw 3,000-plus fans to every game. The Huskers’ club hockey team also already has a good following that enjoys watching them play.
In addition to the existing fan base for the club hockey team and the Stars, there would also be fans who would flock to the Huskers’ home games simply because of the team being supported by the University.
In addition, there would be quite a few fans who would simply be interested in the sport, which is quickly growing in Lincoln.
With the Huskers set to become full Big Ten conference members in 2017 and the increased share of Big Ten revenue that comes with that, this would be the perfect time for Nebraska to make the leap into Division I ice hockey. Then we could see the birth of a new I-80 rivalry against UNO.