The big news earlier in the Labor Day weekend was the official announcement that Penn State will host Michigan State on January 31st at Beaver Stadium. For those who don’t follow college football, this is the home to the Penn State Nittany Lions football games and has a capacity of over 100,000.
The game itself is poised to be a classic. The Penn State fans wearing their iconic White Out, Gavin McKenna vs Porter Martone, and two of the best programs are going at it just as the hockey season picks up.
For those who don’t follow college hockey or follow this from a distance, this game is more significant as a historic moment. This is a big deal not just for Penn State, which put itself on the map in recent years with its hockey program on the rise but for college hockey at large.
A Defining Moment For College Hockey
College hockey was always the distant cousin for multiple reasons. When it comes to the major sports in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), hockey is the fifth, sometimes the sixth biggest sport, and an afterthought considering how much weight football has. When it comes to hockey leagues, the NCAA is usually inferior to the American Hockey League (AHL), overseas hockey, and the Canadian junior hockey leagues (CHL).
That’s starting to change with the money going towards college sports. Now, junior players are choosing to play in the NCAA and develop there before joining an NHL team. The McKenna decision was the big one but other players are opting for college as well. Meanwhile, Flyers prospect Martone added intrigue with his decision to attend Michigan State.
Now, college hockey has a chance to be in the spotlight. The Penn State against Michigan State game will get national coverage, a game between two big programs in an iconic venue. It’s also coming at a time when the other major sports are either not playing or not in their peak seasons, a prime chance for casual fans to see the game on full display.
The historian can’t think of this without thinking of what put college (and to some extent pro) football on the map. In the 1950s, the big games were held at Yankee Stadium or other big baseball stadiums, attracting fans who otherwise weren’t interested. The game in Beaver Stadium is an event and one that will bring in those fans for hockey.
The Door It Opens
There’s no doubt that this game is a one-off. Yes, it’s hard to prepare the outdoor games and requires a lot of moving parts but the other big colleges are sure to follow suit. When this game receives national recognition, other colleges will look to do something similar.
Think of the possibilities. Michigan can host a game at the Big House, and Ohio State can do the same at the Horseshoe. Boston College can have a game at Fenway Park, and Wisconsin can either go to Camp Randall or Lambeau Field. Any big hockey program with a stadium nearby will consider the idea and likely look to have one game every season become an event.
The big pulls for these schools are the coverage and the recognition it gives them. Penn State will be front and center of the hockey world that Saturday night in Happy Valley. Other colleges, without question, will want the same.
Why This Matters For College Hockey & Hockey in General
The NCAA has waited years for a breakthrough. They’ve been the afterthought in the hockey world and are starting to take over as a dominant league. The outdoor game, or their version of the Winter Classic, is proof that college hockey is starting to gain ground.
There’s a good chance that the NCAA will be the second-most popular league behind the NHL in a few years (just like the NFL and the NCAA are in football). They have the money, the facilities, and the upside to become that, and now they are getting the recognition as well. Prospects not only can opt for the college route but also stay there well after they are drafted because of the benefits.
The college hockey boom also sets up hockey for success. College football is an experience, a religious experience that brings people together and ties them to something for life. The fans and alumni of some schools are unlike any other. The same can happen with hockey, where Penn State, Michigan State, and other major programs can not only keep their fans but also attract more, and for the hockey world, this is a big deal. Without question, the defining moments will bring more sports fans to hockey.
Why didn’t you mention about the women’s game too