In a state with a population of just under three million, it's not unusual to see a diverse mix of teams represented throughout. Such representations might range from a New York Yankees baseball cap to a Los Angeles Lakers basketball jersey. While the state may not have its own professional sports identity, there's one thing Iowans do have: undeniable passion for the game.
One of the strongest examples might be at college sporting events. At the University of Iowa, football and basketball garner a large turnout, while other sports such as wrestling and volleyball, also boasts some decent attendance numbers as well.
With the rise in popularity in neighboring Illinois for the Chicago Blackhawks, many people aren't shying away from showing their dedication to the team. Jerseys and hats are popping up more frequently than in years' past.
However, unlike with baseball, basketball, and football, there is no hockey program at Iowa. Despite numerous junior league teams located throughout the state, there are no NCAA Division-I teams at any of the surrounding institutions.
If the Hawkeye faithful are as passionate about sports as they seem to be, would a DI hockey program at Iowa be so out of the question? Could it be successful? Could it thrive in a state that’s surrounded by a strong talent pool in bordering territories? What would it take to for a hockey program to be created?
Growth in Iowa
Hockey is undoubtedly a sport better taught at a young age.
The USHL, a junior hockey league, currently has four teams located within the state stretching from Cedar Rapids all the way to Sioux City, on the opposite side of the state. However, it’s still questionable as to whether that's even enough.
Health and Sports Studies PhD candidate, Nik Dickerson is an avid hockey fan. The Rochester, New York native came to Iowa for graduate school and was a little surprised to find there wasn't a hockey team. Nevertheless, he didn't completely ditch his hockey roots behind. In his spare time, he competes in an adult recreation league in Cedar Rapids.
He believes that if hockey were to gain popularity, it would need to have more coverage.
"I would say you would probably have to start at the youth level, try to generate interest there," he said. "Also promoting the Roughriders more might be helpful so people could gain more exposure to somewhat elite hockey."
UI senior and former hockey player Jordan Loperena agrees. He said there might not be enough statewide interest, which might prove difficult in justifying any school having a DI hockey program.
"The popularity of hockey really seems to be concentrated into the towns around the state that have USHL Junior "A" teams," he said. "I know that hockey is primarily popular in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, even Mason City who has an NAHL Junior "A" team, but it’s not really the slightest bit popular outside of those cities or even in the smaller surrounding towns."
If there's no interest, there's no fan base to reach out to. It's also makes it difficult to recruit in-state talent if children grow up choosing to play other sports instead.
'Opportunity at Iowa...'
Despite the sport being wildly successful in surrounding states such as Minnesota and Wisconsin, hockey hasn't reached the same popularity in Iowa, which could explain one reason for the lack of DI programs.
However, Iowa still has a club hockey team in the Iowa IceHawks. They are part of the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Conference (MACHA) and play in the Division-II American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
The team currently has enough members to fill two rosters (a Gold and a Black team), perhaps a sign that lack of participation isn’t nearly as much of a factor as often thought to be.
For some of the players, including Loperena who had to stop playing because of injury, the idea of a club team can be beneficial for those who wish to continue playing the sport at a less competitive level.
"I actually partially chose Iowa because I would have the opportunity to play hockey here, even though it was only at the D-II level," he said. "I had been in contact with the coaching staff during my senior year and had been updating them on my stats and strength records.
"My goal all along was to play hockey at the highest possible level at the university I chose to attend and I was going to have that opportunity at Iowa."
The IceHawks play at the ice rink located at the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville, just outside Iowa City. This has proven to be a bit problematic because it hinders the team's ability to generate revenue because they cannot charge spectators who walk through the mall and happen to watch their games.
For a sport as expensive as it is, finances are a major factor. Another issue is the location of the rink. With no other facilities available on campus, it can be a bit difficult for student-athletes to have to travel off-campus for practice or a game.
Future of Hockey at Iowa
Could the University of Iowa ever have a DI hockey program?
"There’s not been any discussion at the athletic department level as far as I know," Associate Athletic Director Mark Abbott said. "I'm not aware of anyone coming to us saying ‘we’d really like to start an intercollegiate hockey team at the university.'"
If someone were to attempt to do that though, they'd have to go through a lengthy request process. Abbot estimated that it'd likely be around two years for a team to be put in place if passed through the athletic department today.
In order for a club team to be elevated to varsity status, it has to pass six criteria to even be considered:
• Participation
• Recruiting Potential
• Competition
• Financial Responsibilities
• Facilities Management
• Compliance with Title IX
The two biggest factors currently against Iowa are Title IX and the lack of facilities and financial responsibility.
"Adding another sport would require we pay more scholarships," Abbott said. "Our bill now is approaching $8 million dollars a year. So to add another intercollegiate sport would add coaching staff salary and benefits. We'd have to have equipment and supplies, playing and practice uniforms, expenses for officials, etc."
Still some are hopeful for a future in which the Hawkeyes could one day have a hockey program. The potential seems to be there.
"I think that if Iowa had a NCAA DI hockey program that played within walking distance or cambus ride from downtown, that it would be a successful program,” Loperena said. “To be honest, college hockey atmospheres at most DI hockey schools are crazy. It would be a great, rowdy atmosphere especially if it didn't conflict with the football schedule, which basketball doesn't, so I would imagine hockey wouldn't either."
Winter Classic at Kinnick?
While it's nearly impossible to imagine Kinnick Stadium hosting a Winter Classic (in which two teams play outdoor), it’d perhaps be the perfect stepping stone to actually generating interest and buzz for the sport.
“I do think you could get people to go to something like that particularly if it involved the Blackhawks or two rival Iowa teams,” Dickerson said. “I think that could be a good starting point to raise awareness, to get people to finally start talking about hockey in Iowa.”
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