<p>Anyone familiar with the men's varsity ice hockey team? In particular: (1) How competitive is the MIT team and the league it plays in? (2) To what extent is the roster recruited versus walk-on's? (3) What's the intensity level and how much time does the committment entail (e.g., practice schedule per week, tolerance of absences during exams)? (4) How hard will it be to make practices and games and still keep up with p-sets and a semblance of a social life? (5) Would a freshman be better advised to pass on the varsity and have fun with intramurals instead?</p>
<p>Any and all insights will be much appreciated.</p>
<p>My only experience with the ice hockey team is that last year, a somewhat large number (10-15) people tried out, and only two got cut. (One of the two was my friend, which is why I know. :() I think many (probably most) team members are walk-ons.</p>
<p>I think if someone is interested in a sport, freshman year is the best time to start up -- I mean, it's not like you're ever going to have more time than you did as a freshman. </p>
<p>Varsity sports at MIT generally practice at least between 5 PM and 7 PM on weeknights, when MIT rules stipulate that there can be no class meetings. Some varsity sports expect a greater time contribution, whether implicitly or explicitly; I'm not sure about hockey. MIT sports in general are quite tolerant of school-related conflicts -- division III athletes are students first and athletes second.</p>
<p>Although I'm not a varsity athlete, I do participate in a club sport, which I've found to be both a welcome distraction from problem sets as well as a strong motivating factor to develop time management skills.</p>
<p>Mollie, really appreciate your comments. If you don't mind, here's a couple follow-ups. How much fan interest does ice hockey draw on campus (I've heard that in general MIT students aren't rabid when it comes to other sports, say football). And, if you know, how experienced or skilled a player was your friend (e.g., was he on the team in prior seasons? did he play varsity or travel hockey in high school?). Thanks again.</p>
<p>Hockey is a club sport at MIT, not a varsity sport and they play other club teams
That does not mean that it is not fun and competitive, but it is not a varsity sport</p>
<p>MIT teams in general don't get huge crowds. I've been to a few hockey games, and there were probably between forty and fifty people in the stands. (Of course, this was during a year when the team was doing particularly well. I'm not sure if that's unusual or not.) At the very least, most athletes tend to strongarm their friends and the people in their living groups into coming to watch their games, so there will definitely be friendly faces in the crowd. :)</p>
<p>My friend had never been on the MIT team before. He had played in high school, but my impression is that he had more enthusiasm than talent. He still plays IM hockey quite happily, and not making the team doesn't seem to have bothered him too much. (As I understand it, the number of people trying out was such that the coach probably could have taken all of the people who tried out -- that is to say, the cut wasn't based on sheer numbers, but my friend and the other person who got cut were probably really not good.)</p>
<p>There are two kinds of college hockey: NCAA varsity hockey and ACHA Club hockey. Generally speaking, NCAA hockey players are older. Those varsity players have to play two or three years of junior hockey after high schools before the coaches will recruit them. Many of them are Canadians. All of them dream to play in NHL. ACHA is just club sport for those who want to play hockey for fun. Many club players claim that the top line of the best ACHA division I team can play against the worst line of the worst team in NCAA division III. They have never play against each other to probe it.</p>
<p>Regarding to MIT hockey, it is a varsity sport but it is playing in ACHA division II. The league is North East Collegiate Hockey Association <a href="http://www.necha.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.necha.org/</a>. NYU is the powerhouse in the league. I have seen them playing. Anyone who has played competitive travel should be able to make the NYU team. I therefore assume that if you have played travel hockey for few years, you should be able to make the MIT team.</p>