There’s no official decision yet, but all indications point toward the Illinois Fighting Illini bringing hockey back to the D-1, NCAA level.
This has been a decision that has been a few years in the making. Feasibility studies conducted with the help of the National Hockey League and NHLPA told Illinois what it would take to become a D-1 program. It appears that the finances will be there to make it happen. Local business leaders and the university are committed to this project being a success.
We talked about this a few months ago and mentioned how big this is for the Big Ten. Adding Illinois is a huge step for the conference and the sport.
Where They’ll Play
The only rink in Champaign-Urbana is on campus, but is not currently an option. Plans for a new facility that will house hockey as well as a few other sports are in the works. The planned facility would add the varsity rink as well as two additional sheets of ice.
Immediate Impact
Other than Michigan, Massachusetts and Minnesota, Illinois is the home of the most D-1 hockey players of any state. Illinois has had trouble keeping football and basketball talent from leaving Illinois for other programs, so it’s no guarantee that the fertile recruiting grounds of Chicagoland will be dominated by the Illini. However, if that does become the case they could be immediate contenders in the Big Ten.
Schools like Miami, Wisconsin and Ohio State could take a hit on the ‘crooting trail if Illinois is able to keep talent in-state.
Most importantly, this move will give the Big Ten eight teams. With Notre Dame and Illinois, the conference will continue to be a premier destination for D-1 players from the Chicagoland region.
Building a Tradition
The Big Ten has already proven that its current members can have success in adding hockey to their D-1 roster. It’s easy to forget just how young a program Penn State is. Schools like Maryland or even Northwestern could view this with optimism. The Big Ten’s growth doesn’t stop with Illinois.
The toughest obstacles in my dream of at least ten Big Ten programs still lie ahead. But Illinois making the jump gives me tremendous hope.