A tribute to Joe J. and Matt M.
In college football they are called helmet schools. They are the schools based on their helmet you know who they are. To earn Helmet School status, you also win a lot and have probably had a storied coach or two as well. Here are a few: Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, USC, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, Penn State and Miami. There are at least 10 more that I could name (and no, Wisconsin is not on that list). In Division 1 college football there are just over 100 teams, with 20 or so schools listed as helmet schools - the percentage for calculating other "helmet" schools in other sports is easy (20%).
So one day while running with a couple buddies (yes, they still make my mailing list somehow) - we got to the real deep topic of "helmet schools" and how that term may apply in other college sports. Since basketball players don't wear helmets - although they may consider it if they play Tubby's clan of brick throwers - we eliminated college hoops. Since no one watches college baseball, we eliminated that as well. So all we had left was College Hockey. Aaaaaaah, College Hockey -- one of my favorite sports.
Okay, back to the run. So based on the 20 percent number in football and the fact that there are only 40 or so teams in D1 hockey, the number should be at 8. But there is no way juggernauts like Mercyhurst, Alabama-Hunstville and RIT (would have chosen Quinnipiac but I can't spell it) should be considered as viable DI opponents, much less Community Colleges like Bemidji and St. Cloud State. So my number got whittled to 6. Here they are:
1. Boston University
2. Boston College
3. Maine
4. Michigan State
5. Minnesota
6. North Dakota
7. Wisconsin
8. Michigan
Criteria: National Titles, Storied coach or two, big following, legendary players, recognizable sweater...
But Tony, you said 6?
I did. Don't worry, I'll get to that part.
BU, Michigan and BC are in for sure, so are Minnesota, WI, and UND. The other two, Maine and MSU are bubble Helmet teams. For argument sake they get the boot down to Under Consideration with a few others. They just don't hold enough water, in my opinion. MSU has the biggest claim, but they will always be Michigan's caddy if you ask me (see Michigan's selection to a BCS Bowl as supporting evidence). Maine had a nice run -- won some titles but lacks longevity compared to the top 6.
Final List (from East to West):
1. BC 2. BU 3. Michigan 4. Wisconsin 5. MN 6. UND
Under Consideration:
Maine, MSU, Colorado College, Denver, UNH (stands for University of No Hardware) and Notre Dame (got a brand new rink, it holds 5,000 people...ca
Gimme a Break:
Miami of Ohio, Michigan Tech
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4 comments:
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz.......
Get over yourself, Sven. The national following for college hockey is no bigger than for college baseball. And probably less.
NFL helmet teams...cowboys, steelers, raiders, packers, bears
NHL helmet teams...canadians, bruins, leafs, wings
NBA helmet teams...(crickets)
Epic Pitt-SMU clash in the BBVA Compass Bowl tomorrow. Time to tighten up those chin straps.
Jeff Lobl
A true college hockey purest would have atleast considered Michigan Tech....maybe they were omitted 'cause they don't have a big ten or hockey east tv contract
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Tech_Huskies#Men.27s_ice_hockey
Sorry I neglected Michigan Tech from the Gimme a Break list...duly noted
I am 44 years old and do have faint memories of MTU's success in the mid 70s. Lake State has 3 titles, too.
Helmet school should also stand for standing the test of time.
Tony,
Very well written and thought through. I think most universities should just pick a uniform and go with it. It increases recognizability for one, and also the chance of getting on your helmet school list. The U football team has had way too many drastic helmet changes, which is typically the sign of an inferior program. You can almost judge the helmet schools by looking at http://www.nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/ and seeing who's changed their helmet look the least.
Unfortunately the Gopher hockey team keeps changing their sweaters, and that too will doom them if they keep it up. What was that thing they wore against Notre Dame on Sat.? U.G.L.Y., you ain't got no alibi...can't win with that thing on!
PT
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