Is Bob Motzko the new Dick Umile?
(Apologies for actually attempting to talk hockey on this thread.)
Not sure anyone was predicting this one. It'll be interesting to find out where he goes, and why ...
I'm sorry, I just don't see this as a big loss. While a skilled player, I found his game to be lacking. Selfish with the puck, hesitant to shoot and reluctant to pass. Certainly couldn't take a hit. Thought he was a marshmallow the last two seasons.
Agreed. Would too often skate around with the puck until he lost it. It’s a loss in the sense that he showed some talent occasionally and they’re thin (at every position!), but if this is the nudge necessary to get Sadowski in we’re ahead of the game.
And yes, Sadowski may or may not be all that, but let’s try something to move forward.
Not sure anyone was predicting this one. It'll be interesting to find out where he goes, and why ...
It was the NESN interview between periods of the UML game with Natalie Noury, which he clearly didn't want any part of! MS7 didn't protect him, and this hard to watch interaction sent him over the edge. ; -)
...and the lame, manufactured "I Believe in UNH" chant was forced into existence, we all knew that it was the beginning of the end.
BREAKING NEWS: UNH fires head coach, Mike Souza, after 6 years and a record of 21 games under .500!
UNH announces intentions to conduct a thorough and complete national search for a new head coach immediately. UNH AD Allison Rich commented: "In reaction to fan feedback, retired head coach Dick Umile and retired AD Marty Scarano were barred from being on the selection committee. We are seeking an outside voice to bring the program back to national prominence."
One can dream!
Not sure what you mean by "manufactured," but that particular chant was not something that the university originated or pushed. You may not like it, but it actually did arise from students and fans.
And I've heard the exact opposite. I remember the first night that was rolled out and it seemed like another lame attempt by UNH to create a more "corporate" and "family friendly" environment. Ah, the days when the student section was so full that there was overflow on the other side of the rink where the band used to sit. Today's student section wouldn't have lasted 10 minutes at Snively.
I can personally assure you it wasn't.
When the Litterbox turned over cowbell duties to current students at that time, there was a meeting between those students and some alumni/fans, and then later with the Pep Band, about trying to increase the atmosphere at games. The fan base was getting older, the product on the ice was declining, and the atmosphere getting worse as a result.
The intention was to emulate a soccer or European hockey style supporters culture, and trying to incorporate more songs and longer chants to keep the student section involved and noisy.
The "I Believe that we will win" chant was most commonly known at the time from the American Outlaws supporters club for the men's team, as well as Utah State in basketball, and it was modified to work with U-N-H.
Needless to say the venture didn't work out, but a few chants like "I Believe" were kept. Athletics jumped on board after the fact.
Thanks for sharing that backstory. One way or the other, it is so lame and make it seem like the school and what few fans we have left are just trying a bit too hard and every cheer seems inorganic and forced. Compared the student sections of other arenas (Maine, NoDak and UMD immediately come to mind), the effort is lackluster and uncreative. Then again, with a coach like MS7 who is lackluster and uncreative behind the bench, expecting anything novel would just be wasted effort.
It was the NESN interview between periods of the UML game with Natalie Noury, which he clearly didn't want any part of! MS7 didn't protect him, and this hard to watch interaction sent him over the edge. ; -)
A supporters culture would've been pretty darn novel in NCAA hockey circles. Watch some videos of Euro hockey with the entire arena singing along, and it's quite inspiring.
That said, certainly the university later asserted control with the whole Cat Pack thing, and fundamentally their influence will limit creativity and edginess. Add in the down years and even basics haven't been passed along, to the point that current students aren't even aware of a lot of older chants and stuff.