Quote:Given the sad state of Rutgers' overall athletic catalogue, it's not hard to imagine a world in which it's the most popular sport at the school behind football -- much like what's happened at Penn State, where hockey has quickly become a revenue leader. Money is definitely something Rutgers is concerned about after cutting six sports back in 2006, and the potential to add a hockey team that could boost the athletic department's bottom line does matter.

Another issue with adding a sport could be Title IX compliance, but that's typically not an issue with ice hockey because schools tend to simply add a women's hockey team at the same time.

So given all of this, alumni of Rutgers' club hockey program have started a petition to demonstrate the support a Division 1 team would have. They've picked up a little more than 1,900 signatures so far, with a goal of 2,500, in less than a week.