Penn State "has turned what many thought would be a weak attempt at expanding college hockey into an instant success," as the school's team is "one of the hottest tickets" on campus, according to Jason Gonzalez of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Hockey at PSU is "already a self-sustaining sport" that turned nearly $1M "in positive net revenue last season." PSU hockey coach Guy Gadowsky said, "The student section sold out in three minutes. I think we’ve sold out every game this year. The atmosphere has been phenomenal. The reports (state) that we’re making over a million dollars." Big Ten Associate Commissioner for Governance Jennifer Heppel, who oversees men’s hockey, said that there "have been no formal discussions of Big Ten members adding hockey," but added that PSU’s success "has been a good example for others to see." A source said that multiple Big Ten schools "are quietly exploring adding the sport." Gonzalez noted club teams at Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Georgia Tech "attract several thousand fans for rivalry games." Meanwhile, following Arizona State's addition of a D-I program, the Pac-12’s California schools "could build rosters made mostly of in-state talent, as the state’s three NHL teams have helped produce thriving youth programs and 50 current D-I players" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/12).
