Norwich 2022-23 Back to Normal (ish)

[KrbFlint]

I’d love to hear more about this if you feel willing to share? I know it’s felt like in the 14 years I’ve been around Norwich this has kind of gone back and forth where the corps
support has been strong and other years not so much.

What has happened recently that has caused this divide?

It’s a shame that the school is so hell bent on being 2/3rds Cops and 1/3rds civilian and wants to prop up athletics constantly on social media yet can’t seem to connect the two factions under Norwich’s banner.

Back in the day, a lot of athletes had leadership positions within the Corps. Prior commandants have made this next to impossible (hoping for improvement under Col. McCullough). There’s a narrative that Corps athletes are “getting out of” training, when in reality they’re doing more. I believe a huge percentage of athletes in the Corps are also doing ROTC/contracting, so it’s laughable that somehow they’re a discredit to the Corps.

I can’t give you a hard and fast reason for the divide, but that is my opinion based on my observations. I often wonder how much the disbanding of some of the…um…societies has affected the overall demeanor of the Corps.

Corps leadership (students, not adults) actively tries to discourage athletic participation among Rooks. I know the commandant is aware and does not condone it (former NU student athlete himself).

The lack of actual cadets playing hockey for the Cadets probably hurts, but it isn’t like that’s a new set of circumstances. Norwich also has this bizarre (on campus) problem with acknowledging the difference between varsity and club sports. It’s common to hear kids say the club team is better than the varsity (we all know those games would be 10-0).

Finally, there was a severe crackdown on fan behavior which, I think, took a lot of the fun out of being a part of a raucous student section. I don’t condone profanity, etc but I believe a good student section should make it extremely uncomfortable to be a visitor. The student-athletes Friday night did a decent job of letting Castleton know they were in hostile territory.

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Back in the day, a lot of athletes had leadership positions within the Corps. Prior commandants have made this next to impossible (hoping for improvement under Col. McCullough). There’s a narrative that Corps athletes are “getting out of” training, when in reality they’re doing more. I believe a huge percentage of athletes in the Corps are also doing ROTC/contracting, so it’s laughable that somehow they’re a discredit to the Corps.

I can’t give you a hard and fast reason for the divide, but that is my opinion based on my observations. I often wonder how much the disbanding of some of the…um…societies has affected the overall demeanor of the Corps.

Corps leadership (students, not adults) actively tries to discourage athletic participation among Rooks. I know the commandant is aware and does not condone it (former NU student athlete himself).

The lack of actual cadets playing hockey for the Cadets probably hurts, but it isn’t like that’s a new set of circumstances. Norwich also has this bizarre (on campus) problem with acknowledging the difference between varsity and club sports. It’s common to hear kids say the club team is better than the varsity (we all know those games would be 10-0).

Finally, there was a severe crackdown on fan behavior which, I think, took a lot of the fun out of being a part of a raucous student section. I don’t condone profanity, etc but I believe a good student section should make it extremely uncomfortable to be a visitor. The student-athletes Friday night did a decent job of letting Castleton know they were in hostile territory.

Definitely not new there on the number of actual cadets on the varsity team. Generally there has always been 1 or 2 or close to that. At least during my time it felt like there was always at least one. I think the most there ever was three or four while I was there.

Was the severe crackdown on fan behavior new in the last couple years? I know Pres. Schneider certainly didn't care for some things and had things stifled up over there a few times, but would have thought under Anarumo things might get a little more open and lenient in that area given how he seemed to view things.

The only times I ever got a glimpse of what the "prime" Norwich days with crowds were two that I can recall off the top of my head.

1. The first whiteout game vs. Middlebury in 2011? I think it was. Charlie Crosby did an awesome job generating some buzz with the students and went down to the cafeteria with the team and handed out tickets and made everything believe it was a can't miss event. There were students in the stands at 4:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. puck drop (it was full by warmups) for that game and there were some incredible photos of the student section from that game. Pretty sure Norwich won handily too like 6 or 7-1.

2. The 2017? NEHC Championship game vs. New England College. I'm quite sure this is the biggest crowd that ever happened while I was at Norwich. Maybe a couple other games would have rivaled it like that 2012 11-1 beatdown vs. Castleton in the ECAC East final. There were people 2-3 rows deep standing on the rails, every seat filled and even people standing on trash cans and benches.

[jerrynu26]

Definitely not new there on the number of actual cadets on the varsity team. Generally there has always been 1 or 2 or close to that. At least during my time it felt like there was always at least one. I think the most there ever was three or four while I was there.

Was the severe crackdown on fan behavior new in the last couple years? I know Pres. Schneider certainly didn't care for some things and had things stifled up over there a few times, but would have thought under Anarumo things might get a little more open and lenient in that area given how he seemed to view things.

The only times I ever got a glimpse of what the "prime" Norwich days with crowds were two that I can recall off the top of my head.

1. The first whiteout game vs. Middlebury in 2011? I think it was. Charlie Crosby did an awesome job generating some buzz with the students and went down to the cafeteria with the team and handed out tickets and made everything believe it was a can't miss event. There were students in the stands at 4:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. puck drop (it was full by warmups) for that game and there were some incredible photos of the student section from that game. Pretty sure Norwich won handily too like 6 or 7-1.

2. The 2017? NEHC Championship game vs. New England College. I'm quite sure this is the biggest crowd that ever happened while I was at Norwich. Maybe a couple other games would have rivaled it like that 2012 11-1 beatdown vs. Castleton in the ECAC East final. There were people 2-3 rows deep standing on the rails, every seat filled and even people standing on trash cans and benches.

There even used to be some Corps march downs to the game.

[***JCB***]

Great weekend for the team! I was unfortunately out of town for a family event and only watched part of Friday's game and none against Skidmore. I hope they can keep it up tomorrow night against the Cards!

Sad to hear about the lack of Corp support...

[Russell Jaslow]

The only times I ever got a glimpse of what the "prime" Norwich days with crowds were two that I can recall off the top of my head.

1. The first whiteout game vs. Middlebury in 2011? I think it was. Charlie Crosby did an awesome job generating some buzz with the students and went down to the cafeteria with the team and handed out tickets and made everything believe it was a can't miss event. There were students in the stands at 4:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. puck drop (it was full by warmups) for that game and there were some incredible photos of the student section from that game. Pretty sure Norwich won handily too like 6 or 7-1.

2. The 2017? NEHC Championship game vs. New England College. I'm quite sure this is the biggest crowd that ever happened while I was at Norwich. Maybe a couple other games would have rivaled it like that 2012 11-1 beatdown vs. Castleton in the ECAC East final. There were people 2-3 rows deep standing on the rails, every seat filled and even people standing on trash cans and benches.

Before your time but when they hosted the 2003 and 2004 national championship weekend. I was there in '04, but not '03.

(And in 2002 and 2005, Middlebury hosted it. Four years in a row in Vermont.)

[jerrynu26]

Before your time but when they hosted the 2003 and 2004 national championship weekend. I was there in '04, but not '03.

(And in 2002 and 2005, Middlebury hosted it. Four years in a row in Vermont.)

I think he was there in ‘03!!

[KrbFlint]

Definitely not new there on the number of actual cadets on the varsity team. Generally there has always been 1 or 2 or close to that. At least during my time it felt like there was always at least one. I think the most there ever was three or four while I was there.

Was the severe crackdown on fan behavior new in the last couple years? I know Pres. Schneider certainly didn't care for some things and had things stifled up over there a few times, but would have thought under Anarumo things might get a little more open and lenient in that area given how he seemed to view things.

The only times I ever got a glimpse of what the "prime" Norwich days with crowds were two that I can recall off the top of my head.

1. The first whiteout game vs. Middlebury in 2011? I think it was. Charlie Crosby did an awesome job generating some buzz with the students and went down to the cafeteria with the team and handed out tickets and made everything believe it was a can't miss event. There were students in the stands at 4:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. puck drop (it was full by warmups) for that game and there were some incredible photos of the student section from that game. Pretty sure Norwich won handily too like 6 or 7-1.

2. The 2017? NEHC Championship game vs. New England College. I'm quite sure this is the biggest crowd that ever happened while I was at Norwich. Maybe a couple other games would have rivaled it like that 2012 11-1 beatdown vs. Castleton in the ECAC East final. There were people 2-3 rows deep standing on the rails, every seat filled and even people standing on trash cans and benches.

I feel like all the Midd games were packed when Midd was still really good.

I was at both games you mentioned and they were some great crowds. I wanna say Hobart in the NEHC tourney in 2020 was pretty packed too IIRC (the midst of the shutout streak).

[KrbFlint]

Before your time but when they hosted the 2003 and 2004 national championship weekend. I was there in '04, but not '03.

(And in 2002 and 2005, Middlebury hosted it. Four years in a row in Vermont.)

Unrelated, but the women’s national final in 2018 was fantastic crowd for a women’s game. Apparently playing for natty in your own barn (men or women) draws well!

[Russell Jaslow]

I think he was there in ‘03!!

LOL Now that I looked up to remind myself who was in it, I'd have to say you are correct!

(Although, I'm wondering if that was one year too early for him.)

[KrbFlint]

Gritty comeback tonight to earn a tie, undermanned, against a very good Plattsburgh squad. I thought we were cooked down 4-2.

I know there are some college hockey fans who don’t like 3 v 3 OT, but I love it.

[spwood]

Gritty comeback tonight to earn a tie, undermanned, against a very good Plattsburgh squad. I thought we were cooked down 4-2.

I know there are some college hockey fans who don’t like 3 v 3 OT, but I love it.

Seven power plays to Plattsburgh’s two, four in the third period alone, didn’t hurt the comeback. Especially in the third period. The power play goal in the third just a bad call. Watched the reply several times and could not see the penalty…. Nice comeback, but you did have help…

[KrbFlint]

Seven power plays to Plattsburgh’s two, four in the third period alone, didn’t hurt the comeback. Especially in the third period. The power play goal in the third just a bad call. Watched the reply several times and could not see the penalty…. Nice comeback, but you did have help…

indeed, the Cardinals definitely helped by being so undisciplined and committing so many penalties

just teasing

[spwood]

indeed, the Cardinals definitely helped by being so undisciplined and committing so many penalties

just teasing

This team definitely has discipline problems, but now I wonder if their reputation is preceding them to the ice, because I thought there were several marginal calls last night all went against the Cardinals. But they do stupid things (like the goaltender interference. Holy stupid), and the refs stop giving them the benefit of the doubt. That said, four power plays in a third period is pretty unusual, even for Div III and especially in a match-up of good teams like this.

[jerrynu26]

Gritty comeback tonight to earn a tie, undermanned, against a very good Plattsburgh squad. I thought we were cooked down 4-2.

I know there are some college hockey fans who don’t like 3 v 3 OT, but I love it.

Undermanned? Same lineup as last 4 or 5 games except for 1 forward changing out...

[KrbFlint]

Undermanned? Same lineup as last 4 or 5 games except for 1 forward changing out...

Molu - out
Nagle - out
Doggett - out
Elliott - out
#3 goalie hurt

With respect to Sparty and even Skidmore. I view Platty as a tougher opponent.