page_title: Bill Beagan
section_title: Central Collegiate Hockey Association
hierarchical_section_title: Bill Beagan / Central Collegiate Hockey Association
context_page_description: William Thomas Beagan CD is a Canadian retired ice hockey administrator and ice hockey referee. He served in the Canadian Army for thirteen years, before refereeing in the National Hockey League for two seasons. He was commissioner of the International Hockey League from 1969 to 1978, the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League from 1978 to 1979, the Eastern Hockey League from 1979 to 1981, and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association from 1985 to 1998. He was a partial owner and the general manager of the Toledo Goaldiggers from 1981 to 1985, and led the team to two Turner Cup championships.
  Beagan is credited for turning around IHL finances and making it a top-tier development system for future NHL talent. He had agreements with the NHL to develop on-ice officials while commissioner of the IHL and the CCHA. He signed the CCHA to the first national television contract for colleges in the United States, introduced instant replay to the league, and shared revenue with the schools. On-ice success was realized when CCHA teams won six NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament championships during his tenure.
context_section_description: The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) hired Beagan as commissioner in 1985. NHL president John Ziegler Jr. suggested the position to him. Beagan initially oversaw the CCHA from home, then relocated to its headquarters at the University of Michigan during the second season. He implemented a pre-season training camp for referees, despite the officials going on strike in protest. He developed a working relationship with the NHL to develop future officials in collegiate hockey.
  Beagan sought to have CCHA games televised as a game-of-the-week, and signed the first national television contract for colleges in the United States. He brought in cable television partners which included the Pro Am Sports System and Fox Sports Net. He introduced instant replay to the CCHA in 1993, to be used at its league championships, and arranged for the CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament finals to be played at Joe Louis Arena. He was credited with coining the phrase, "Road to the Joe", in reference to end-of-year tournament culminating at the Joe Louis Arena.
  Prior to Beagan's arrival, the CCHA had not been a profitable association. After 10 years as commissioner, the league had made $4 million. Profits were shared with the schools, which were reinvested into hockey programs and new arenas. On-ice results improved during his tenure, and CCHA teams won six NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament championships. In addition, Beagan convinced the University of Notre Dame to resurrect its hockey program in 1992.
  Beagan resigned as CCHA commissioner in 1998. He described his experience as a part-time position that became a 13-year temporary job as a labour of love, and felt that the CCHA had been receptive to changes which increased exposure and the success of college hockey.
caption: Joe Louis Arena hosted the CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament finals.
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