Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

[UMLFan]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

These numbers are from the Hockey East Website; I'm actually surprised Tsongas isn't higher up the list, the building always felt larger than that when I was there.

With tarps up around the seating areas, the capacity has been brought down on purpose to help foster more atmosphere and push people closer to the ice.

Actual capacity is just under 6,500 (6,496) though, and we've hit that before for bigger games.

[mikeinlowell]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

[

All I know is, there doesn't appear to be much fan support for UML right now. There's a radio ad up here, offering a two-ticket package including hot dogs and a drink for like $30. "Help make this a home game on the road for UNH, and turn Tsongas into the Whitttemore South." Sounds like the program didn't sell as many season tickets as they'd hoped . . .

I think the Tsongas is a little oversized for college hockey anyway...rarely sells out, so a ticket deal is always a good way to raise some money through consessions. I seem to remember Lowell having one of the highest average attendance rates last year. Don't think thats a big deal. Merrimack had a $5 ticket deal when Lowell played them, and $1 when they play Providence. Just trying to fill seats when the visiting team doesn't have a local following...[/QUOTE]


I'm saying UNH doesn't get a lot of local fans. (They are probably making trips to campus) BC, BU and Northeastern seem to have a lot of local alumni who turn out for game because its cheaper than Boston, easier to park etc. I don't see that with UNH...students come down, but not a significant number of local fans...

Bottom line here is that the arrival of Coach B, we have not made the NCAA tournament, been past the first round of the playoffs once?, and I don't think ever had home ice in a playoff. Not good enough.

[gochiefs]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

Bottom line here is that the arrival of Coach B, we have not made the NCAA tournament, been past the first round of the playoffs once?, and I don't think ever had home ice in a playoff. Not good enough.

Actually UML has made it past the 1st round twice(2002 & 2009) and did have home ice versus Northeastern (2002). Either way, like you said not enough.

[HockeyEh]

Is this the Colgate thread? Sure sounds like it. Maybe a coach trade can be arranged. No come to think of it sounds like both coaches are identical.

[John_Fuller]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

I think the Tsongas is a little oversized for college hockey anyway...rarely sells out, so a ticket deal is always a good way to raise some money through consessions. I seem to remember Lowell having one of the highest average attendance rates last year. Don't think thats a big deal.

The arena would have been much smaller ~4500-5000 had the AHL team not been formed, then again, LeLacheur Park would not be where it is now. Although with the building of the Pavilion Club, I doubt 6,496 is capacity for the arena.

Lowell had a high average attendance last year because the team was doing something that's plain and simple, winning. The expectation of a potential Garden trip/NCAA berth coming off the heels of a controversial (let's just leave it at that) HE championship appearance also added to the numbers. I think it's actually good the AHL team is gone because our numbers this year would probably have been lower.

After this great discussion, it seems that most people are willing to give him one more stretch (being this class) to grab home ice, win a HE champinship and/or get to the NCAA's once in the next four. I do agree with Patronick post below, next year is key and hopefully we start to see change for the status quo that has happen over the past many years.

[Patman]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

The arena would have been much smaller ~4500-5000 had the AHL team not been formed, then again, LeLacheur Park would not be where it is now. Although with the building of the Pavilion Club, I doubt 6,496 is capacity for the arena.

Lowell had a high average attendance last year because the team was doing something that's plain and simple, winning. The expectation of a potential Garden trip/NCAA berth coming off the heels of a controversial (let's just leave it at that) HE championship appearance also added to the numbers. I think it's actually good the AHL team is gone because our numbers this year would probably have been lower.

After this great discussion, it seems that most people are willing to give him one more stretch (being this class) to grab home ice, win a HE champinship and/or get to the NCAA's once in the next four. I do agree with Patronick post below, next year is key and hopefully we start to see change for the status quo that has happen over the past many years.

If we were regularly 3-6 I don't think we'd be having the conversation on arena size. The momentum is there, if we can get the team there the "size" question becomes moot.

[jcarter7669]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

I know that losing in the final doesn't feel like an accomplishment, but it is - particularly when you beat UVM (a final four team) to get there. .

FIrst off a big thank you to UML for winning that series, I truly believe it had a huge impact on UVM getting their **** together and make a run in the tourney.

As for the Future of Blaise, I will say I don't regularly agree with the "Fire so and so" threads. In this case I do agree however. UML's situation is different then say Maine's. ME had a few down years after having some good teams and then have righted the ship. A slump is a slump, and fans will get upset, but no team is going to be great year in and year every single year. UML however, doesn't have great years with a slump and then back to great years. The nature of this team is cyclical every 4 years Blaise has a very veteran laden team and in some cases a very talented veteran team. Considering that these teams fail is why IMO their needs to be a coaching change. It's one thing when the team struggles as a freshman or Soph heavy team. If Blaise was making a run at the NCAA's the other two years that would be something, but he isn't. He fails as much with the Jun and Sen heavy teams as he does with the young teams... possibly more when you consider what he has to work with. And that fact does nothing to help recruiting... who wants to go to a team where players peak their soph-junior seasons before faltering their Senior year at a time when they are looking to life after college hockey? Class size needs to be evened out and Blaise needs to be replaced.

[RHawk]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

FYI, Heard several long time season ticket holders saying at last nights game, their probably not renewing next year, if the same coaching staff is in place. Not what the Tsongas needs now. It appears that attendence is dropping weekly. Sometimes change is good to turn things around. The expression "If it ain't broke don't fix it" doesn't hold true for Lowell. Lowell is broken and needs fixin

[leswp1]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

FYI, Heard several long time season ticket holders saying at last nights game, their probably not renewing next year, if the same coaching staff is in place. Not what the Tsongas needs now. It appears that attendence is dropping weekly. Sometimes change is good to turn things around. The expression "If it ain't broke don't fix it" doesn't hold true for Lowell. Lowell is broken and needs fixin

I hear that every yr and they keep coming back. Any time a team loses like they did in Mankato game you have dropping attendance. When the team wins the seats are full, when they don't they aren't. This is true everywhere even Maine couldn't fill the building last yr before they started winning and they are diehards up there.

[walrus]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

This is true everywhere even Maine couldn't fill the building last yr before they started winning and they are diehards up there.

Yes
But tons of long timers no longer go to games, no longer donate and no longer have season tickets. Losing for long periods of time kills the flow of money

[malz2000]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

yes, it is time and it's long overdue. morons are still blaming it on coach whitehead. it will soon be over for blaise and we can look forward to better days. let's take the "blaise apologists" for what they are? probably school employees or relatives!!

[UMLFan]

Re: Is it time for change at UMass-Lowell?

So ... any changes of heart?