Now is the time to force all Privates up to "AA"

[deacon]

http://www.cadets.com/page/217

[WB6162]

They could make the AA bracket larger with more teams. Allow 4 private schools into the AA tourney and none into the A tourney.

I have no problem with the private schools in the State Tourney, but just put them in AA and save the A bracket for the small town teams.

[rainier]

http://www.cadets.com/page/217

Okay. According to this page the average STA student gets $8,400/year in grants. That would be $33,600 over four years. That is still $33,600 more than a public school can offer a family. And this number is for your average student, who knows how much they've invested in player grants as part of the commitment to hockey.

Two things:

1. They draw from AA sized populations, yet they can call themselves A.

2. They can offer the average family $33,600/kid worth of an educational commodity to entice top players to attend.

These schools are playing by very different rules than public A schools, so I see no reason why they MSHSL shouldn't have checks in place to ensure these advantages don't get exploited to the detriment of the sport.

Thanks for the info.

[deacon]

Families don't pocket any money. If a family qualifies for assistance, even the average, they still have to pay ~9k in tuition. They aren't putting any money in their pocket. There is no way to tell how much a family receives and who receives it. There are no special grants set aside for athletes, the only grants that are available are academic related based on entrance exam scores. A public education is free, there is no need for a financial assistance program. if a family can afford to send their son to STA, that is their choice. You just don't seem to get it.

[rainier]

Families don't pocket any money. If a family qualifies for assistance, even the average, they still have to pay ~9k in tuition. They aren't putting any money in their pocket. There is no way to tell how much a family receives and who receives it. There are no special grants set aside for athletes, the only grants that are available are academic related based on entrance exam scores. A public education is free, there is no need for a financial assistance program. if a family can afford to send their son to STA, that is their choice. You just don't seem to get it.

They are giving them $33,600 worth of an educational commodity. I never said they put money in their pocket. There is no way to tell how much a family receives and who receives it? Gee, I wonder if a significant chunk of change is being reserved to allow top hockey players in; I mean, there's no way to tell, so who knows? But they sucked at hockey, made a "commitment" to hockey, and now they are a juggernaut? Yeah, I'm sure money had nothing to do with it.

If STA is unethical enough to sandbag in class A, then why would I think they wouldn't load up disproportionately on grants for top hockey players?

Spin it any way you want, but schools like STA are playing by different rules, so a system to keep them honest isn't just a good idea, it's a necessity.

Apparently, the more you all tell me about STA, the less I know about it.

[deacon]

They don't have grants set aside for anyone. Grants and financial assistance are two different things. Grants are earned through test scores, financial assistance is received by qualifications through need. I highly doubt a family can make up their qualifications either. I would bet a lot of money that tax returns are looked at, among other things.

All of the success that the hockey team has achieved in the last 8 years came after the new rink. The education, the intangibles that you take away from attending the school, and the ammentities of the rink makes playing there very attractive

Somehow i cant figure out how making a family pay money for their son to attend high school is somehow an advantage. You can look at it whatever way you want, you'll never be convinced otherwise.

[stpaul]

They don't have grants set aside for anyone. Grants and financial assistance are two different things. Grants are earned through test scores, financial assistance is received by qualifications through need. I highly doubt a family can make up their qualifications either. I would bet a lot of money that tax returns are looked at, among other things.

All of the success that the hockey team has achieved in the last 8 years came after the new rink. The education, the intangibles that you take away from attending the school, and the ammentities of the rink makes playing there very attractive

Somehow i cant figure out how making a family pay money for their son to attend high school is somehow an advantage. You can look at it whatever way you want, you'll never be convinced otherwise.

Great post Deacon. Amen. Most people have no idea the sacrifices thousands of families make to send their kids to private schools. They send them to these schools for all kinds of reasons - all of them good. Meanwhile they are saving taxpayers the cost of educating their kids in public schools. We should thank them.

[sachishi4]

I don't have access to anyones finances, but most families that can allow their children to play hockey, don't need the financial aid STA can give. I don't think STA is out there giving families money that don't need it. No way any bit of fraud could last that long. Most hockey families are very well off.

[rainier]

They don't have grants set aside for anyone. Grants and financial assistance are two different things. Grants are earned through test scores, financial assistance is received by qualifications through need. I highly doubt a family can make up their qualifications either. I would bet a lot of money that tax returns are looked at, among other things.

All of the success that the hockey team has achieved in the last 8 years came after the new rink. The education, the intangibles that you take away from attending the school, and the ammentities of the rink makes playing there very attractive

Somehow i cant figure out how making a family pay money for their son to attend high school is somehow an advantage. You can look at it whatever way you want, you'll never be convinced otherwise.

Great post Deacon. Amen. Most people have no idea the sacrifices thousands of families make to send their kids to private schools. They send them to these schools for all kinds of reasons - all of them good. Meanwhile they are saving taxpayers the cost of educating their kids in public schools. We should thank them.

Private school kids are disadvantaged, all their families do is sacrifice, and we owe a thanks to private schools? Seriously?

Do you hear yourself? And you wonder why people don't like private schools. (Other than the whole sandbagging thing.)

[PuckU126]

They don't have grants set aside for anyone. Grants and financial assistance are two different things. Grants are earned through test scores, financial assistance is received by qualifications through need. I highly doubt a family can make up their qualifications either. I would bet a lot of money that tax returns are looked at, among other things.

All of the success that the hockey team has achieved in the last 8 years came after the new rink. The education, the intangibles that you take away from attending the school, and the ammentities of the rink makes playing there very attractive

Somehow i cant figure out how making a family pay money for their son to attend high school is somehow an advantage. You can look at it whatever way you want, you'll never be convinced otherwise.

Great post Deacon. Amen. Most people have no idea the sacrifices thousands of families make to send their kids to private schools. They send them to these schools for all kinds of reasons - all of them good. Meanwhile they are saving taxpayers the cost of educating their kids in public schools. We should thank them.

Last time I checked, 2/3 of the students at HM are on financial aid. That stat is no more than 5 years old, but I'd bet it hasn't changed much. Just keep in mind, those students that are on financial aid DO have to pay later on; just like FAFSA for college.

Most parents that send their children to private schools do make a lot of sacrifices, and if you don't believe it, I suggest you research before making a statement that differs.

As for taxes, technically the parents that pay out of pocket for their children's education are saving the taxpayers money. Think about it...

[goldy313]

My guess would be the average household incomes of hockey players is larger than than the average household income of the student body at large at any school, public or private so throwing out the percentage of students receiving financial aid is a pretty worthless stat if we're only talking about hockey players.

[rainier]

They don't have grants set aside for anyone. Grants and financial assistance are two different things. Grants are earned through test scores, financial assistance is received by qualifications through need. I highly doubt a family can make up their qualifications either. I would bet a lot of money that tax returns are looked at, among other things.

All of the success that the hockey team has achieved in the last 8 years came after the new rink. The education, the intangibles that you take away from attending the school, and the ammentities of the rink makes playing there very attractive

Somehow i cant figure out how making a family pay money for their son to attend high school is somehow an advantage. You can look at it whatever way you want, you'll never be convinced otherwise.

Great post Deacon. Amen. Most people have no idea the sacrifices thousands of families make to send their kids to private schools. They send them to these schools for all kinds of reasons - all of them good. Meanwhile they are saving taxpayers the cost of educating their kids in public schools. We should thank them.

Last time I checked, 2/3 of the students at HM are on financial aid. That stat is no more than 5 years old, but I'd bet it hasn't changed much. Just keep in mind, those students that are on financial aid DO have to pay later on; just like FAFSA for college.

Most parents that send their children to private schools do make a lot of sacrifices, and if you don't believe it, I suggest you research before making a statement that differs.

As for taxes, technically the parents that pay out of pocket for their children's education are saving the taxpayers money. Think about it...

To show my gratitude to the private schools and to recognize all the heart-wrenching sacrifices made by their customers, I present to you the screenplay of the latest Broadway smash, "Oh, Cadet."

Setting: A tiny, ramshackle wooden hut somewhere in southern Lakeville, a small wisp of smoke rises from a crooked tin chimney. Inside, the Lowcash family gathers around the table for a meager meal of cabbage soup.

"Now eat your soup Billy," says Mrs. Lowcash, "you have a big first day at STA tomorrow."

Billy swirls his spoon absentmindedly in his soup, "But mama, I like Lakeville South, I want to stay here."

Papa Lowcash shoots Billy a disapproving scowl. "Now Billy, you know how many sacrifices we've made so you can go to STA. Mama got a fourth job, we sold our goats, and down at the coal mine I keep working
even when the canary dies, cause we get time and a half for hazard pay."

" I know Papa, it's just that I don't feel comfortable that STA is in Class A for hockey. I mean, there are several of us Lakeville South kids going to STA, and lots of other kids from other AA areas are going there, but yet I will be in A when I get there. I don't understand papa, it doesn't make any sense."

Mama knew her kind voice was needed now more than ever. "Billy, Lakeville South is such a craphole there is just no way we can send you there. Sure, Lakeville South might upset the top ranked team in the state occasionally, but if you graduated from there, you would end up a homeless pariah with no future. We didn't want to tell you honey, but Rex didn't run away, we sold him to a chemical testing lab so we could pay your tuition. That is how important you getting a slightly better education is to us."

"But mama, we will play a AA schedule and even play SSM, but we still pretend to be an A school."

Papa couldn't take anymore blasphemy, "Dang it Billy! It's called leadership, that's what you'll learn there. You'll set an example for those low class public schools by leading them by 7 goals after the first period. Now that's leadership."

The concerned look vanishes from Billy's face as he sees the truth in his father's wisdom. "You're always right papa. Those icky public schools should be thanking us for showing them how a real Class A program conducts itself."

Papa puts his arm around Billy and gives a warm smile. "Yes they should, Billy, yes they should."

Fade out and...scene.

That's a wrap! STA should opt up.

[PuckU126]

To show my gratitude to the private schools and to recognize all the heart-wrenching sacrifices made by their customers, I present to you the screenplay of the latest Broadway smash, "Oh, Cadet."

Setting: A tiny, ramshackle wooden hut somewhere in southern Lakeville, a small wisp of smoke rises from a crooked tin chimney. Inside, the Lowcash family gathers around the table for a meager meal of cabbage soup.

"Now eat your soup Billy," says Mrs. Lowcash, "you have a big first day at STA tomorrow."

Billy swirls his spoon absentmindedly in his soup, "But mama, I like Lakeville South, I want to stay here."

Papa Lowcash shoots Billy a disapproving scowl. "Now Billy, you know how many sacrifices we've made so you can go to STA. Mama got a fourth job, we sold our goats, and down at the coal mine I keep working
even when the canary dies, cause we get time and a half for hazard pay."

" I know Papa, it's just that I don't feel comfortable that STA is in Class A for hockey. I mean, there are several of us Lakeville South kids going to STA, and lots of other kids from other AA areas are going there, but yet I will be in A when I get there. I don't understand papa, it doesn't make any sense."

Mama knew her kind voice was needed now more than ever. "Billy, Lakeville South is such a craphole there is just no way we can send you there. Sure, Lakeville South might upset the top ranked team in the state occasionally, but if you graduated from there, you would end up a homeless pariah with no future. We didn't want to tell you honey, but Rex didn't run away, we sold him to a chemical testing lab so we could pay your tuition. That is how important you getting a slightly better education is to us."

"But mama, we will play a AA schedule and even play SSM, but we still pretend to be an A school."

Papa couldn't take anymore blasphemy, "Dang it Billy! It's called leadership, that's what you'll learn there. You'll set an example for those low class public schools by leading them by 7 goals after the first period. Now that's leadership."

The concerned look vanishes from Billy's face as he sees the truth in his father's wisdom. "You're always right papa. Those icky public schools should be thanking us for showing them how a real Class A program conducts itself."

Papa puts his arm around Billy and gives a warm smile. "Yes they should, Billy, yes they should."

Fade out and...scene.

That's a wrap! STA should opt up.

In my honest opinion, I do think STA should opt up, and I've thought that for several years now. Their schedule and record shows that they can contend at the AA level; however, STA's admins decide to hold them to A. I do think it sucks that they don't play to their full potential during the playoffs.

Back tracking now... Above, I was merely stating that most students, including some hockey players, are in fact going to private schools with the help of financial aid, and their families do make sacrifices. That's all.

There's no need to make a mockery out of it; I actually applaud those families that are will to invest in their child's education.

[F14]

rainier!!!

Absolutely Hilarious movie script. Love the dialogue and selling of the goats and brother! Continue with your screenwriting class.

I do feel bad that his family doesn't have an iron to press his uniform but he can always have. I know they have never gone to church and religion and ethics classes will be challenging and he has to hitchike because no bus scholarship money as it all goes for hockey equipment camps and fees!

[hockey59]

The Headmaster at STA strikes me as someone with about as much common sense as Kenneth Keller had when he was U of M President. With there being only 2 classes in hockey as opposed to 4 or 5 classes for several other sports...Football, Swimming, Basketball, etc...why on God's green earth does he even care what class they play in for hockey? Talk about Intellectual Egghead Leadership. If the AD and the coaches (and I'm sure most of the players) want to play AA...why stand in their way? Why be a lightning rod...unless he simply enjoys the attention when the STATE Tourney rolls around each March?

[rainier]

In my honest opinion, I do think STA should opt up, and I've thought that for several years now. Their schedule and record shows that they can contend at the AA level; however, STA's admins decide to hold them to A. I do think it sucks that they don't play to their full potential during the playoffs.

Back tracking now... Above, I was merely stating that most students, including some hockey players, are in fact going to private schools with the help of financial aid, and their families do make sacrifices. That's all.

There's no need to make a mockery out of it; I actually applaud those families that are will to invest in their child's education.

I couldn't resist, because even if it's true in a couple of cases, painting private school families as people making huge sacrifices to whom we owe a debt of gratitude just makes most people roll their eyes.

That said, I will attend the STA/Breck game today and I'm sure it will be a great one. I hope the students and players (and their families) have a blast, but the administrations of these schools need to take a cue from BSM and take their talents to AA.

[WildTwin]

I've always agreed with this. Even here in Florida this happens. My solution? Since a Private School can basically hand pick their athletes, then that school should play in the highest class in their location. Just seems to make sense to me.

[BlueLineSpecial]

In my honest opinion, I do think STA should opt up, and I've thought that for several years now. Their schedule and record shows that they can contend at the AA level; however, STA's admins decide to hold them to A. I do think it sucks that they don't play to their full potential during the playoffs.

Back tracking now... Above, I was merely stating that most students, including some hockey players, are in fact going to private schools with the help of financial aid, and their families do make sacrifices. That's all.

There's no need to make a mockery out of it; I actually applaud those families that are will to invest in their child's education.

I couldn't resist, because even if it's true in a couple of cases, painting private school families as people making huge sacrifices to whom we owe a debt of gratitude just makes most people roll their eyes.

That said, I will attend the STA/Breck game today and I'm sure it will be a great one. I hope the students and players (and their families) have a blast, but the administrations of these schools need to take a cue from BSM and take their talents to AA.

Speaking from my own personal experience: A good percentage of kids (whether they play hockey or any other sport) attending private schools aren't wealthy socialites. There are some, for sure. My parents sacrificed a lot for me to attend HM and we weren't rich by any stretch. A majority of my friends that attended had humble upbringings and lived in places like E. St. Paul, N. St. Paul, Maplewood and their families were working class who valued the education and focus on values that the school offered. There are likely some very wealthy families that send their kid to STA, and there are very likely many who are middle-of-the-road folks who are trying to provide a foundation for success to their kid. Complain all you want about private schools recruiting, attracting kids from huge swaths of communities, etc. But please understand that a lot of families DO make serious sacrafices to send their children to a private school.

[rainier]

Speaking from my own personal experience: A good percentage of kids (whether they play hockey or any other sport) attending private schools aren't wealthy socialites. There are some, for sure. My parents sacrificed a lot for me to attend HM and we weren't rich by any stretch. A majority of my friends that attended had humble upbringings and lived in places like E. St. Paul, N. St. Paul, Maplewood and their families were working class who valued the education and focus on values that the school offered. There are likely some very wealthy families that send their kid to STA, and there are very likely many who are middle-of-the-road folks who are trying to provide a foundation for success to their kid. Complain all you want about private schools recruiting, attracting kids from huge swaths of communities, etc. But please understand that a lot of families DO make serious sacrafices to send their children to a private school.

Sacrificing is their choice. If I have to change my spending habits so I can have a BMW instead of a Ford, that's hardly a "sacrifice". All their hardship could be alleviated by going to a public school, but they've bought into the myth that a private school education will give their kid a better chance to succeed. Do the students at Eagan and Lakeville South all end up as meth addicts after graduation?

STA likes to talk about their academics and how their students score above average on the SAT and ACT. According to the STA alumni on this board, students have to take entrance exams to get in. Let's see, STA only allows in the smartest kids and when they score above the public schools (who have to take kids at all levels of intelligence), they toot their horns? STA kids are not coming in as morons and leaving as Einsteins.

If a middle class family changes their finances drastically so that their kid can have the chance to grow up and write mindless spy-thrillers too, that's fine, but it's a choice, not a sacrifice.

Looking forward to a great game in about 30 min.

[BlueLineSpecial]

Speaking from my own personal experience: A good percentage of kids (whether they play hockey or any other sport) attending private schools aren't wealthy socialites. There are some, for sure. My parents sacrificed a lot for me to attend HM and we weren't rich by any stretch. A majority of my friends that attended had humble upbringings and lived in places like E. St. Paul, N. St. Paul, Maplewood and their families were working class who valued the education and focus on values that the school offered. There are likely some very wealthy families that send their kid to STA, and there are very likely many who are middle-of-the-road folks who are trying to provide a foundation for success to their kid. Complain all you want about private schools recruiting, attracting kids from huge swaths of communities, etc. But please understand that a lot of families DO make serious sacrafices to send their children to a private school.

Sacrificing is their choice. If I have to change my spending habits so I can have a BMW instead of a Ford, that's hardly a "sacrifice". All their hardship could be alleviated by going to a public school, but they've bought into the myth that a private school education will give their kid a better chance to succeed. Do the students at Eagan and Lakeville South all end up as meth addicts after graduation?

STA likes to talk about their academics and how their students score above average on the SAT and ACT. According to the STA alumni on this board, students have to take entrance exams to get in. Let's see, STA only allows in the smartest kids and when they score above the public schools (who have to take kids at all levels of intelligence), they toot their horns? STA kids are not coming in as morons and leaving as Einsteins.

If a middle class family changes their finances drastically so that their kid can have the chance to grow up and write mindless spy-thrillers too, that's fine, but it's a choice, not a sacrifice.

Looking forward to a great game in about 30 min.

You're good at expressing your opinion, maybe need a little work on listening? A better education could have helped. I can forward you the link to some great schools if you like. All sacrifice is by choice. No one here is asking for sympathy for making sacrifice. You're the one claiming that private school attendees don't make sacrifices, and I'm telling you that they do. No one is claiming a public education is terrible, but I think you're a bit diluted if you think the education at a private couldn't be considered better. Its each family's decision. It might be based on class size or focus on secondary education. After reading your posts its clear you are a black or white guy, no room for grays. Its also obvious that you're simply going to entrench yourself in your position so there isn't much point arguing with you.

To the point, yes, both teams should move up. Enjoy the game! Wish I could be at the X this week/weekend

[deacon]

Rainier,
You can bash a private school all you want but until you actually attend a school like STA like I did, you just really have no idea what it's like. Stop pretending you do. We get it, you don't like private schools, you don't like the good ones playing in class A, you think they cheat. We're happy for you. This topic comes up every year and we beat a dead horse again and again. It's boring.

Someone make a thread, title it "STA and Breck should move up to AA" lock the thread and sticky it so everyone can see it. I get, we all get it. STA should play AA. I would love to see how they would do but until then, give it a rest.

[flatontheice]

Since the implication is that private schools in the metro area recruit, does anyone know when Breck's players started attending Breck? Breck goes from pre-kindegarten to HS, so if a majority of their players started attending Breck in 9th grade, that is a good indication of recruiting since their grade size goes from 90 students in 8th grade to approximately 130 in 12th grade. If some have attended Breck since kindegarten it is a little tough to argue that Breck recruited those kids. Needless to say Breck and STA should move up to AA and a couple of other schools should seriously consider it.

I believe the number is 5. Five on team were there prior to 6th grade. Keep in mind they lost Grant Besse and Frankie Mork too. I know for comparison that last year Blake lost 15 seniors and 12 of them had been at Blake since kindergarten including the two best players, Ryan Bullock and George Ordway. The more important number is how many players on the team are on scholarship, that's where Breck takes it to another level.

[blueliner2day]

Speaking from my own personal experience: A good percentage of kids (whether they play hockey or any other sport) attending private schools aren't wealthy socialites. There are some, for sure. My parents sacrificed a lot for me to attend HM and we weren't rich by any stretch. A majority of my friends that attended had humble upbringings and lived in places like E. St. Paul, N. St. Paul, Maplewood and their families were working class who valued the education and focus on values that the school offered. There are likely some very wealthy families that send their kid to STA, and there are very likely many who are middle-of-the-road folks who are trying to provide a foundation for success to their kid. Complain all you want about private schools recruiting, attracting kids from huge swaths of communities, etc. But please understand that a lot of families DO make serious sacrafices to send their children to a private school.

Sacrificing is their choice. If I have to change my spending habits so I can have a BMW instead of a Ford, that's hardly a "sacrifice". All their hardship could be alleviated by going to a public school, but they've bought into the myth that a private school education will give their kid a better chance to succeed. Do the students at Eagan and Lakeville South all end up as meth addicts after graduation?

STA likes to talk about their academics and how their students score above average on the SAT and ACT. According to the STA alumni on this board, students have to take entrance exams to get in. Let's see, STA only allows in the smartest kids and when they score above the public schools (who have to take kids at all levels of intelligence), they toot their horns? STA kids are not coming in as morons and leaving as Einsteins.

If a middle class family changes their finances drastically so that their kid can have the chance to grow up and write mindless spy-thrillers too, that's fine, but it's a choice, not a sacrifice.

Looking forward to a great game in about 30 min.

Rainier, with such intense hatred toward privates, why would even waste your time going to see 2 private teams play each other? Surely someone on this bored is a teacher/administratoror/tax accountant and would know that your tax dollars go to the public schools whether your kid attends there or not. So if you are home schooling or private schooling you are paying twice. So before Rainier's head explodes (And I know, I know, if you can do that you deserve to pay twice) retirees, single people, childless couples etc. are also paying the same amount for that public education with no horse in the race so what now? If we get away from the class warfare thing and give legitimate reasons for moving up or down in hockey class this thread would ceased to have existed about 11 pages ago.

[HShockeywatcher]

For your first point, I don't know, I don't think we've seen a public A team in a AA sized area get so much outside talent that they win back to back titles. And I don't think we would. Whereas STA and Breck can offer a family a HUGE incentive in the form of 80k in free tuition, public schools can't.

You keep repeating this loony statement over and over. What is the tuition cost at a public school?
You don't believe that private schools are better than public schools. I agree as a whole. If that's the case, they shouldn't have to offer money as their school's tuition is already $0. They are able to offer a scholarship of 100% tuition to every student who wants to attend, athletes and non-athletes.

As I've said, I have no issue with your magical "pool" logic as long as it is applied equally to public and private schools, which you refuse to do.
Which ultimately is the reason this discussion is so complicated.

Not a single person disagrees that St Thomas and Breck could consistently compete at the AA level. And were this a tier system (which the state has said they don't want) they would be up there.

Several people have suggested the "no opting up" idea. No disrespect, but I think that is absurd. If Roseau, Rapids, Cloquet, etc. want to test themselves by playing against the best, I don't see how you can possibly keep them from trying to defy the odds.

Class system. Not tier.
As we all admit, enrollment plays less of a role in hockey than other sports. Many years the best team in state is an A enrollment school.
In 2002 and 2007 the AA finals were A sized schools (2005 and 2006 I believe as well).

[HShockeywatcher]

Private school kids are disadvantaged, all their families do is sacrifice, and we owe a thanks to private schools? Seriously?

Do you hear yourself? And you wonder why people don't like private schools. (Other than the whole sandbagging thing.)

No one is saying to go to bed at night and pay for the well-being of those who attend private schools. But it's simple math, something you claim to know a lot about.
Tax payers put x amount of money into the pot that goes toward public education. You divide that money between all the students in public education and that's how much the "state spends per kid." Now, take students out of the "pool" and that is the same amount of money to be spent on less kids, which ends up being more money per kid.
That translates to more teachers, smaller classes, better technology, etc, etc. No one is asking for thanks, it is a simple fact how the money is distributed.

The Headmaster at STA strikes me as someone with about as much common sense as Kenneth Keller had when he was U of M President. With there being only 2 classes in hockey as opposed to 4 or 5 classes for several other sports...Football, Swimming, Basketball, etc...why on God's green earth does he even care what class they play in for hockey? Talk about Intellectual Egghead Leadership. If the AD and the coaches (and I'm sure most of the players) want to play AA...why stand in their way? Why be a lightning rod...unless he simply enjoys the attention when the STATE Tourney rolls around each March?

There are 2 classes in swimming, track, cross country, etc.
Despite being a top 3 swimming program in the state over the last 15-20 years I've never heard anyone suggest they opt up to AA. Maybe it's cuz people outside of hockey understand that a) logic doesn't somehow change for a specific sport and that b) it's a class system determined by the enrollment of your school, not your talent level.