MARQUETTE — Two days ago, the Northern Michigan University athletic department floated the idea of adding more sports with the biggest potential idea being Division I women’s hockey.

There were a lot of questions heading into Friday’s on-campus press conference and there were still some after it was over.

However, one question was answered and that is that even though the idea of a women’s hockey team is still in the early stages, the Wildcats are seriously pursuing it.

NMU athletic director Forrest Karr started off the press conference by explaining how the department was working with a consulting company called Strategic Edge Athletic Consulting on whether or not the university should add any more Division II level sports such as men’s and women’s Alpine skiing or men’s and women’s tennis. He also said that he contacted NHL Vice President Kevin Westgarth and College Hockey, Inc. Executive Director Mike Snee about performing a study about whether or not Northern could have a women’s hockey program.

“I was also aware of the NHL and the NHL Players Association having agreed to sponsor feasibility studies to explore establishing Division I college hockey programs,” he said. “So I contacted Kevin and Mike, who are with us here today, to learn more about doing a women’s hockey study here at Northern Michigan. They were both immediately enthusiastic about the project and helping grow the game. We had some additional follow-up phone calls with (WCHA women’s commissioner) Katie (Million) who is also here and the consulting group. That’s how we got here to where we are today.

“The group is here in Marquette and they arrived on Wednesday. They’ve been meeting with various stakeholders to collect information very similar to what Strategic Edge did back in September. So for us during this stage of the process, our efforts are focused on our due diligence and making sure that the consultants have an opportunity to meet with all the important stakeholders.

“Ultimately, this is going to lead to a detailed analysis and report that will be done by the consultants. The report will be prepared for President (Fritz) Erickson and the Board of Trustees, so that they can evaluate all the information. We’re going through and having a lot of honest, hard conversations and really looking at the numbers and looking at facilities and looking at staffing and everything we do to see if it’s the right time potentially to add another sport or sports to Northern Michigan University.”

There are currently zero Division I women’s hockey programs in Michigan and Snee said that that was something that should be addressed.

“The currently lack of NCAA Division I women’s hockey in the state of Michigan in a glaring omission,” he said.

“There are seven (DI) men’s programs and there are zero women’s programs. As much as this is an opportunity for Northern Michigan to hopefully add opportunities for female Division I hockey players, it’s also another way to inspire young boys and girls to pursue hockey.”

When asked if he thought NMU could pull off the idea of creating a DI women’s hockey program, Snee said he did, but admitted that it would take some work.

“Yes I do and yes we do for our organization,” he said. “I’ll note that I’m clearly biased. I’ve reached my conclusion about whether or not Northern Michigan should have women’s hockey and I’ll say too (that) everybody we’ve spoken with today certainly says that this is a tremendous hockey town. I knew that all along, so I didn’t learn anything that I didn’t expect, but it validated what a great hockey community Marquette is and that this university is such a great hockey school.

“So it certainly seems to make tons of sense, but (I’m) acknowledging that there are questions that need to be answered and other aspects to that. So the due diligence of a feasibility study makes a lot of sense.

“In the end, we hope that they will add women’s hockey, but (we’re) understanding that there is a lot that goes into it.”

Westgarth said that if NMU does decide to move forward with adding a women’s team, the NHL is willing to help wherever they can.

“I certainly will aim to help in any way we can out of the gate by providing some objective resources,” he said. “In our consulting group, we’re very confident in their ability to collect the right information that they need to provide AD Karr and President Erickson with the right information to make that decision and the board of trustees as well. We’re certainly on hand if they ever need some help. It’s kind of comes in different areas, but our support doesn’t end with signing a check to our consulting group. We’re here for the long haul and we’re certainly excited about this.”

Million is also intrigued about the idea of a women’s program at NMU as the WCHA currently has only seven women’s teams and wants to land an eighth to even things out.

“Simply put, no state deserves a Division I women’s hockey program more than the state of Michigan,” she said. “I am thrilled with the initial steps that Northern Michigan University is taking to explore adding the sport of women’s hockey as a DI sport. I applaud the vision of President Erickson and certainly athletic director Karr, both of whom have a tremendous passion for the student-athletes here at Northern Michigan and a deep appreciation for the sport of hockey and the culture that it brings to a campus.

“I probably wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t think that they (the Wildcats) would be a good fit, but actually, it really is. With Northern Michigan already being a member of the WCHA on the men’s side, it certainly is a natural fit.”

Everybody present at the conference was feeling positive, but Karr said that this would be a long process before NMU could fully commit to something.

“When we’re looking at these things, it’s very serious and we want to get it right,” he said

“If we’re going to add a sport, we want to make sure that sport can be successful and compete at the highest level and can add value and that those kids that participate will have a good experience.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.