Eddie Shore

So, the rink will not be open to other groups/schools/organizations to use?  It will only be for the Penguins Diversity Program?

37 minutes ago, Danner27 said:

https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2021/05/31/robert-morris-hockey-eliminated-steelers-kevin-colbert-resigned-board-jp-dk

Props to him for calling them out on it.  One day they are going to have to explain why.  Ignoring it isn’t going to make the questions go away.  Gutless sounds like a fair assessment right now

8 minutes ago, PUCKCOVID19 said:

liberty university sells out every game and their acha d1. 

 

Yep, been there, great school and great programs (actually they have D1 and D2, at least they did).  Roanoke supports the school but much like Athens not much else to do there (no pro teams).  This is why I don’t think a school or AD will “just take a chance” on pushing for NCAA hockey, it won’t have enough support to sustain.  

8 minutes ago, Saucey said:

What else is there to do in Athens? Maybe Pittsburgh has a lot of entertainment options.

 Also, with our kids' own hockey schedules, we rarely have time to catch another team's games.

Yes! The answer I was looking for! I agree, Pittsburgh supports the pro teams, and rarely is there time for anything else. This lack of support then leads to sometimes why certain programs go away.  RMU is just one instance.  No one’s fault, I just didn’t believe it was because the schools don’t market well, or there is no rink in campus.  Thank you Saucey, for the honest response.  I gotta go now, thanks again.

1 minute ago, fafa fohi said:

Pitt basketball ha sucked for years, not unlike the Pirates.  You win, people show up.

Pitt football?  That is a joke - students need to get on a bus to attend games and help the program to boost a "home field advantage?"  That is laughable.  Schools with on-site facilities that are much smaller and lesser funded programs than Pitt support their teams because they have an on-campus presence.  Hell, teams in the MAC get better support than Pitt does.  

Look at Miami, Bowling Green, OU hockey get great support because their rinks are on campus.  Students can have a few beers at the dorm, then walk to the games.  RMU never had the student support those schools get.

I agree, Athens is a great place to watch a game, have been to tons, but when you go there, half the rink is students, and half is the community from around the area, who have never even attended college, but they come to the games anyway.  My question is why do they support hockey there, but if you went to watch RMU, Slippery Rock, Duquesne or Pitt there are very few if any non-family or friends at the game?  It can’t because these teams suck, because at this time Pitt was better than the Bobcats and beat them every time.  So, I’ll ask again, why do these schools get little support? The answers I have gotten are, they don’t market well, they don’t support teams that don’t win, and they don’t have a rink on campus.  Is this correct?

6 hours ago, nemesis8679 said:

Um, this is why the term "marketing" exists. None of these teams have that. 

Ah, so no one from the community goes to these games or supports these teams because the schools or the organization’s don’t market it.  And here I thought it was because the area only really follows or cares about the pro teams.  My mistake.  Please don’t take my comments as an attack on Pittsburgh as being a crappy hockey town, they don’t support the schools other sports either.  Probably because of not knowing schools like Pitt have a football or basketball team.  

4 hours ago, mrfreeze said:

My statement was only in hope of a school in that area would step up in the next couple years. I know the state of all the programs mentioned and over the last 20 years I have seen these as well as other programs at different levels. To make it work you have to get an AD willing to make it work and a school willing to take a chance, you could have outside influence and investors. It is highly unlikey, but you never know. Years ago W and J was on that path, I would have never thought that school would be a canidate for NCAA or even Robert Morris before they built Island Sports, but it did happen, atleast for RMU. They had a motivated AD, willing school and Hillman Corp as well as some others push and completed the rink. Again highly unlikley it will happen, but you never know.

 

As far as Hunt Armory, it has been 6 plus years and many changes and stahls. It is also unlikley it will happen, but with an upcoming change to local Administration could find this project getting over the political hurdles it has faced. Why do you really think it has not gone through. It all comes down to money and who is making out in the deal. The ones in control want paid or their friends paid to make this happen. I can guarentee you that the people in charge of this project will require the use of certain contrators or firms at elevated prices in order to move forward.

No, in order to make it work you would need a market that would support it, which Pittsburgh does not have.  They don’t support the ACHA teams, they don’t support Chatham, they don’t support the Vengeance Junior Team, and they didn’t support RMU.  All of these programs had family and a few friends in the stands and that was it.  No school or AD is going to “take a chance” on that. But if it makes you feel better go ahead and keep hoping.

18 hours ago, mrfreeze said:

It would seem strange that NCAA would be pushing this right now, starnge thing is RMU had plans to move the mens program to UPMC with the third rink, I don't think seating was to much better, but they would get an amazing locker room and access to the Pens workout facility. Being so far off campus did not make sense to me, but I do think it would have helped them recruit kids. I know when kids are looking at schools and junior programs the main thing they really look at is the facilities, sometime more than the education factor. Penn State has really taken over in this area as the go to and I think the rink and locker rooms has lots to do with it. The USHL facilities are also amazing, These programs are really spending money in this area. I think now would be an excelent time to push the Hunt Armory project, with Peduto on his way out we may see this actually happening and you could get the Pens and one of the local schools to step up and make this a home rink with a path to Division 1 hockey, Chattam could move in, Pitt and CMU are right there, Duquesne is not far. This could really be a good option for these college, add some diversity programing to make the current Karens happy. You could also work with PIHL and make this a netrual site location for games of the week. That location has plenty of space to build mutiple locker rooms for these programs, Central Catholic would also be a great option and could really grow it's program to another level. If they do the mini rinks, you could offer a great ADM option and use those for training and lessons. Just takes the right people to get behind it.

The armory?  I have been hearing it has been coming for over 6 years, and still nothing, it will never happen.  I guess Chatham’s programs are still ok, but the others, Pitt ditched their D2 a couple years back and has been trying get rid of their D1 as well.  CMU, doesn’t have hockey any more, and Duquesne has one team, but they struggle.  

1 hour ago, Lifelongbender said:

I don't see any university among all the ones in Pittsburgh poised to bring D1 Hockey in here anytime soon, either.

Very true.  Slippery Rock got rid of their ACHA D1, Pitt got rid of their D2, and I'm not sure if they even had a D1 last year (they could have but you can't find anything on the internet because everyone was keeping stuff a secret from the COVID police).  Duquesne had a D1 but they were weak, CMU folded years ago, not sure what is up with Chatham but I assume they still have NCAA D3 (which may be the strongest out of all the schools now, which is sad)

1 hour ago, Lifelongbender said:

No. The WPXI article ends with this sentence:

The university says it will be adding the club sports of women’s ice hockey, women’s golf, men’s rowing, and skating for the fall of 2021.

And the RMU website statement includes this:

 

• The university is adding additional club sports, including women’s ice hockey, women’s golf, men’s rowing, and skating for the fall of 2021. This will give RMU 24 club sports, including three club men’s ice hockey teams. More than 400 students are currently involved in club sports at RMU. 

Ok, I left Pittsburgh almost a year ago, but for the 2019-2020, RMU did not have three club men's ice hockey teams.  Do they really have that now, or are they saying then plan to have 3?  If so, every year then planned to have 3, then dropped at least one of them due to a lack of players.  I said it before and I'll say it again, Pittsburgh is not a hockey town.

17 hours ago, BeaverFalls said:

I know playing in the OHL removes their NCAA eligibility but I don’t think that impacte USA Hockey eligibility. 

Are you sure about that?  I know of a player who played in the OHL and now plays NCAA D1.

1 hour ago, champeen said:

as someone who doesn't live in PA, i find it fascinating to see the wildly contradictory takes on PPE.  One person will say they are the only real AAA program around and everyone else is just delusional parents paying for a third A, and then the next guys will say they are overrated and only take players for political reasons and cheat MHR by not reporting games, etc.

You are missing one point.  Yes they are the only real AAA team, and yes they are over rated. 

You willing to make a wager?  I say they do not lift the restrictions on the 4th and  it is extended.  Takers anyone?  

15 minutes ago, fafa fohi said:

I am sorry for what happened to you - it's quite sad.  I know this thread is supposed to be about hockey, but your story is compelling.  Were you ever granted access to any small business or PPP federal government loans?

Thanks, I know you and me don’t see eye to eye on this, but thanks.  There would/may be some stuff available in the future but getting another business loan to start up a business now is just not a good idea right now, plus my heart really isn’t in it anymore.  
My only real ask for some people on here is just think before they make comments like “shut down the bars, because this is something that is “not needed”.  Yes, the people who go to the bar can still get together with their friends to watch the game and drink at home.  The people who made their living serving those folks are the ones who suffer.  

I just don’t like the government or other people deciding what businesses should and shouldn’t be allowed to open.  That is the scary part.  

Warning, you could be next.

I owned a restaurant/bar.  Small local family type.  Sunk my life savings into it (not in Pittsburgh).  Had to let my staff (small staff 11 total) go back around the beginning of June.  Couldn't pay the rent on the building or the lease on some of my equipment.  Not a big "take out" business so i couldn't keep it afloat.  Lost my employees (I feel the worst for them) a couple of single mom types (lots of tears and crying).  A young kid who washed dishes, had been in trouble with the law a few times but was trying to turn his life around and support his kid.  Heard he went back to dealing in July, got busted and is doing time now.  Plus a couple of others, but heard some are doing ok.

Lost my lease in the shopping center (I'll never get that back).  The equipment rentals are no big deal. 

Biggest loss is the customers, even if I could get a loan to start up, They'll never be back.  Will take years to build up a new customer base, credit rating (that's destroyed too).  Couldn't afford our rent on the place we lived.  Wife and one kid (other is grown and gone), moved in with her parents in Calif.  No way i am going there, no work at all.  I have moved into a room over my sisters garage down south.  No way i can open a new business.  Looked into maybe a restaurant manger role (did that for years before i went out on my own), but no one is hiring now.  

So tell me, how if the federal government going to help us?  Cut me check every week?  I don't want that, I want my life back

25 minutes ago, nemesis8679 said:

I would imagine he has to be around quite a few more places and people than we do, also in every part of the state. 

Wait, the article said that he is doing fine and continuing to work and do his job from home.  So, he can work from home now, but couldn't do it for the past several months?  How is it that he can "effectively" do his job from home now, but couldn't a few weeks ago?

10 minutes ago, nemesis8679 said:

No, not at all. I feel deeply bad for anyone who has been monetarily affected by this. But that's not the fault of shutdowns or limited capacities. It's the fault of your federal government that is not willing to help those people. 

That is where the anger needs to be placed. 

Look at how every other country has helped its citizens, and how little help has been given here to the people. It's a good example of how the United States has a long way to go. 

It's not the fault of the shutdowns?  WHO instituted the shutdowns?

So I should not be mad at the government for arbitrarily deciding what types of businesses can stay open and what types have to close, but i should be mad at them for not "helping" me?  What kind of "help" do you think I need, welfare?  If they want to help me, let me open back up.  

Do you even realize how this sounds to me?  Talk about tone deaf.  

23 minutes ago, HereWithPopcorn said:

It's not that anyone wishes that older people die, but I'm pretty sure if you asked the seniors of that age and older, that lived through WWII, gas shortages and maybe even the Depression, I'm pretty certain that the vast majority would want people to live their lives as well and not have all of these closures.

Plus, when things were barely open back in April/May, places like Home Depot and other stores were full of elderly people who were out and about.  If they were that scared or felt that the world needed bubble wrapped, they would have stayed home.

??????????????

I don't even know how to respond to this!  Where did I say anything about old people?????

Please re-read your post and my quote you put in it, and tell me how the two are even closely related (you know senior citizens don't work in bars or restaurants right) 

WOW

8 hours ago, nemesis8679 said:

And don't get me started on not being able to sit at the bar and do karaoke on Saturday. I'm sick of these old people dying and ruining my self-entitled life. 

That's how you sound. 

What a dumbass, ignorant way 

Yea, f!$&k all of us who lost our jobs at those bars, lost our homes now etc...

That’s how YOU SOUND

What a dumbass, ingnorant way for YOU to think!

8 hours ago, nemesis8679 said:

Probably got it from being around a no-mask wearing idiot that he couldn't avoid, like a lot of people. 

How do you not avoid a person not wearing a mask?  When I see a person I can tell they are not wearing a mask and I don’t go with 6 feet of them.  We are all staying at home and only leaving for essentials.  Pretty easy to do.  I only go to the Dr office (everyone there is wearing a mask), and grocery store or pharmacy.  99% of everyone there is wearing one, if I see someone without one I just avoid them.  Isn’t that what everyone else is doing?

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!  Maybe he is one of those guys outside of Allegheny County running around supermarkets without a mask?  In all honesty if he had been sheltering in place, not gathering with family, wearing a mask and staying social distanced, he shouldn't have gotten it right?

Well

On 12/4/2020 at 3:00 PM, sadday4hockey said:

Rinks in WV are shut down. Ohio apparently placed itself on it's own do not travel list. This is only going to get worse before it gets better.

Lol, that's funny :)

14 hours ago, fafa fohi said:

You have some major anger issues, Ed.  This forum is about civil debate and people are allowed to have and express opinions that may be different from yours.  Debate is healthy and my opinions on many issues related to this outbreak have changed over time, especially when it comes to the sport of hockey.  I am in line with your thinking on this topic far more than I am with @Quinlan2020

I have disagreed big time with many members of this thread and I admit, I am a stubborn guy and my stubbornness sometimes gets the best of me.  But for you to "hope you and your family feel the same pain as others by having their lives destroyed by others for nothing more than political gain" is downright vile.  

You are correct.  Major anger issues.  I have them.  We will see how you feel when a government can step in at any time and take away your entire life (your business, your income, your home and everything you have worked for your entire life) for no reason.

On 9/17/2020 at 3:24 PM, Quinlan2020 said:

Your point about unconstitutional & effectiveness is recognized. This has been an incredibly unique crisis where I am going to give some slack any decision that is in the interest of saving lives. This has been a war that the federal government hasn't been too interested in fighting, so the states had to do what they could to fill the void. It's hard to believe that we were willing to send our young people off to die in foreign wars but we can't accept any inconveniences to fight this one on our own land.

It is obvious that the death rate has decreased a lot from where it was back in April. My own doctor just recently told me how this last 6 months they have gained more knowledge relating to treatment techniques and that they are having better outcomes. Mask wearing has definitely increased since March. It's up to about 60%. That's still not good enough, but it's better than it was. Being told not to wear masks was a mistake, but that's pretty far in the past now.

People keep forgetting that I am on the same side and want hockey/sports to resume in full as quickly as possible. I just think the quickest path to that is a bit different.

Same side?  Buddy, you and I ain’t on the same side of anything.  I find you repulsive and all you stand for.  I only hope you and your family feel the same pain as others by having their lives destroyed by others for nothing more than political gains.  The truth is coming out now

https://www.newsweek.com/nashville-officials-withheld-covid-numbers-restaurants-bars-because-cases-were-so-low-emails-show-1532641?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter&fbclid=IwAR3HdazVXAubMPInqCTa4kX8ZfrnAZiGcZxicKfLZ3wvs9Q2ZPY2wukClC8#Echobox=1600360716

20 hours ago, Scooby Doo said:

Its going to get real ugly financially for states like PA that did these illegal shutdowns... big lawsuits a comin'

I hope so.  I have kept detailed records and all correspondences.  I’ve joined as many groups / class actions etc.. that I can.  Hopefully some of them will pan out