Return to Jackson’s Rink
by aguirretwog (2019-03-30 23:19:42)

In reply to: No offense to Lefty  posted by nihilist in golf pants


I agree wholeheartedly. I was there in the Lefty era and although there was much to be proud of then Jackson has brought ND hockey to an entirely different level - NC or no NC he deserves our recognition and gratitude.


Love Jackson, but Lefty did a lot with a little
by realmccoy  (2019-03-31 10:06:39)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

There was very little university support of hockey during Lefty’s time. The rink sucked. It was a small time program, but he kept the flame burning. Hiring Jackson was part of the increased support of hockey. His success is due, at least in part, to that increased support, which also elevated the program and made recruiting easier.


There were so many impediments to this program becoming
by wearendhockey  (2019-03-31 18:56:42)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

big time when Lefty was here. There were times when Tim McNeill was recruiting when Lefty was the only one coaching. There was no support staff to speak of in the first decade and a half (until the downgrade to club status) with people like McNeill and trainer John Whitmer pulling all sorts of double duty.

The decision to pull recruiting and scholarships for a year when Title IX compliance became an issue in the late 70s was a blow from which the program would not recover from, really, until Poulin got here. He couldn't coach particularly well, but he brought back some excitement and at least some of the possibility of what hockey COULD be here. But in the late 70s and the 2 seasons in the CCHA students and the surrounding public had a hard time paying good money to watch a product that the university didn't care about.