Colgate 2009-2010

[CU13]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Attendance woes are nothing new at Starr and I have been following Colgate hockey for 40+ years. My take on low attendance:
- the student complexion has changed alot in the last 10 years and they are under a lot of pressure to overachieve, both in academics and cocurricular activities, leaving precious little time to support athletics...btw, the students do not have to pay to get into the games (unless it is the playoffs)
- the Roach Approach has turned a lot of people off. A general admission ticket (or Colgate ID) used to get you a seat behind the goal.......now there is a charge for that. Students being kicked out of games for being "too" overzealous. Longtime fan being sent a letter asking him to shut up at games or not come back. Other fans being asked not to bang on the glass after a goal (that was me). Little kids not being allowed to fist pound the players as they come off the ice. Heck, I sometimes choose to watch the game on TimeWarner, and I live in Hamilton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bottom line is there are lots of reasons for lack of attendance, but, again, this is nothing new for Starr. IMO, building a new rink will NOT make them come.

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Some early interest so let's get going. We should be improved offensively this year, build around McIntyre,Smith, Brisebois, and Day and that's a pretty good nucleus. Again we need some others to step up and help out. I'm looking for Smith to have a breakout season after scoring seventeen goals in his initial campaign. He will allow for McIntyre to have some more room as other teams will need to stop other than one line.
My biggest concern is the defense, returning two hurt players, and several frosh who will be needed to step in immediately. Draft picks Larkin and Price hopefully will adjust to the college game rapidly ! However, the defense will be very young and inexperienced.
Long got better as the year progressed and was very solid at the end. I have some optimism(per usual). What's the general feeling out there ?

While we tred water waiting for the quarterfinals, it's interesting to look back at Shabby's preseason outlook from last August.... Any thoughts/comments?

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Attendance woes are nothing new at Starr and I have been following Colgate hockey for 40+ years. My take on low attendance:
- the student complexion has changed alot in the last 10 years and they are under a lot of pressure to overachieve, both in academics and cocurricular activities, leaving precious little time to support athletics...btw, the students do not have to pay to get into the games (unless it is the playoffs)
- the Roach Approach has turned a lot of people off. A general admission ticket (or Colgate ID) used to get you a seat behind the goal.......now there is a charge for that. Students being kicked out of games for being "too" overzealous. Longtime fan being sent a letter asking him to shut up at games or not come back. Other fans being asked not to bang on the glass after a goal (that was me). Little kids not being allowed to fist pound the players as they come off the ice. Heck, I sometimes choose to watch the game on TimeWarner, and I live in Hamilton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bottom line is there are lots of reasons for lack of attendance, but, again, this is nothing new for Starr. IMO, building a new rink will NOT make them come.

CU13 - sorry I posted over yours. Your comments are spot on and well taken. I'm another 40+ year follower of the Red Raiders, and back in the day we brought booze into the games, many of us were half crocked as we watched and tormented the opposition goaltender. Attendance was good in my day, partly because it was the thing to do on campus on a Fri/Sat night. Games started at 7, but didn't end until 10:15 or 10:30 PM. Now games are 2 hrs +. The longer games featured fisticuffs between players and stoppages of play when the puck was frozen at the sideboards. Faceoffs were more common and the game dragged on...but in a good way.. A lot of the fun of attending the games has gone the way of the 25 cent cup of coffee. That's progress, they say... However you are correct; in an effort to be PC on and off the ice, some of the luster is gone. The players are still great tho..

 

[TheValleyRaider]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

While we tred water waiting for the quarterfinals, it's interesting to look back at Shabby's preseason outlook from last August.... Any thoughts/comments?

Looking at preseason predictions at this stage of the season is usually amusing. It's especially so when you've got that extra week off between games

I'd like to point out that my prediction in the next post that we could have a good second half and more diversified scoring appears to have come true

Glad to see recognition for the Band seniors, as well. I remember when they came in as wide-eyed Freshmen . Glad to see they stuck it out for 4 years, and I hope the experience was rewarding. Or at least, they'll be able to remember some good hockey, if nothing else

I'm impressed with the way we came together at the end and made our push for the bye. We did have a nice 2nd half run, as shabby pointed out, and most importantly, we won the games we needed to when it really mattered. Evin played well these last two weeks, so I'm just going to hope he stays strong. Really, skipping the one game shouldn't do too much to his prep for next weekend

Still not 100% convinced we're on the same level as Yale/Cornell, but we certainly can play with Union and really anyone below us in the standings. All they have to do at this point is win 2/3 on home ice (in spite of the crowd, we went 9-5-3 at Starr this season), and let the chips fall where they may in Albany. Can't ask for much more at this point in the season

 

[CU13]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Attendance or not, home ice advantage also means knowing how the puck will bounce off the boards or out of the corners and not having to travel.... so, here's hoping that the puck bounces our way next weekend and that there is a good crowd!!!!
Heartfelt congratulations to the team on their strong finish. Go get 'em, Gate!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

I found this article in today's Boston Herald about Brian Day and him being a "difference maker" to the hockey program.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Did I say that ?

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

some interesting and informative info on the attendance issues...when watching games you can see the lack of bodies behind the north goal (the one we're attacking for two periods). We used to jam into those seats and, I believe, those seats were virtually always filled throughout the 1980s and 1990s as well. I'm frankly not surprised by some of the PC bull**** that has crept into enthusiastic behavior at a hockey game. Nonetheless, even accepting the various reasons for diminished attendance, 1100 fans for RPI is disappointing. I don't expect 2246 for every game, but you'd still think we could muster 1600 to 1800. The defensemen are making fewer mistakes (both Larkin and Price should be very good players soon) and we're even getting a little pressure on the penalty kill. Still, getting to Albany will be a challenge, but I've got my usual bar seat ready on South Pearl Street...

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Looking at preseason predictions at this stage of the season is usually amusing. It's especially so when you've got that extra week off between games

I'd like to point out that my prediction in the next post that we could have a good second half and more diversified scoring appears to have come true

TVR - I did see your post next to Shabby's, and you are to be commended for your prognostications. But since Shabby is "The Man" here, his postings get preferential treatment...

 

[TheValleyRaider]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

But since Shabby is "The Man" here, his postings get preferential treatment...

I would never suggest otherwise

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Back in the day.....We would get 3000 for Cornell and Harvard and sometimes Clarkson. Honestly ! I remember in 1990...against Harvard...when Gagnon got hit in the mask and was out for two periods getting his face stitched up, the PA guy bellowed that if you left between periods, "You may not get back inside" and that was with a ticket !!

Starr held 2800 until 1991 and 2000 was a "poor crowd". It was loud and the students(and us) were very crazy. A pint of McGillicutty's was in my pocket at most games.

Wayyy back in the day...around 1965...we beat Army in OT and the students tore down the chickenwire that surrounded the rink preglass days. I remember the students hopping over the glass onto the ice after some games especially Harvard and Cornell. I could go on forever....if only !!
Why thank you colskate !!

 

[Magoo]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

the Roach Approach has turned a lot of people off.

You might be on to something here. Is anyone impressed by this guy? I can't believe he was the best choice for AD.

I sometimes choose to watch the game on TimeWarner, and I live in Hamilton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe a lot of local folks are doing the same...

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Back in the day.....We would get 3000 for Cornell and Harvard and sometimes Clarkson. Honestly ! I remember in 1990...against Harvard...when Gagnon got hit in the mask and was out for two periods getting his face stitched up, the PA guy bellowed that if you left between periods, "You may not get back inside" and that was with a ticket !!

Starr held 2800 until 1991 and 2000 was a "poor crowd". It was loud and the students(and us) were very crazy. A pint of McGillicutty's was in my pocket at most games.

Wayyy back in the day...around 1965...we beat Army in OT and the students tore down the chickenwire that surrounded the rink preglass days. I remember the students hopping over the glass onto the ice after some games especially Harvard and Cornell. I could go on forever....if only !!
Why thank you colskate !!

"Wayy back in the day...around 1965.." - wait a minute Shabby..am I that old?? Yes. some alcohol leaked into the rink, but for me it was more like a Genny beer.. There were no ushers then; I used to watch the games right behind the wire mesh in back of the north goal. Now you can't stand there anymore. Saturday night games were packed, especially on the student side.

I remember one time I was up where the press box is now (where GR does his broadcasts) and used my camera to take pictures during the Clarkson game. In fact a number of us packed a car -- spur of the moment -- and drove up to Potsdam for the Clarkson game in a blizzard. We made it just in time to enjoy a win in their frigid rink.

Clark Torrell, Fred von Zuben, Dick Johnson, Mike Jukoski, Steve Riggs, Mike Foley, Terry Connolly, John McGonigle, and Bobby Meehan were great players of that era, and under Coach Kollevol really put 'Gate on the hockey map. Those were the days! But I digress....'Gate hockey history is something that should be celebrated.

Sorry for the reminisences, but that's what we old afrts do...

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Don't forget Spadafora and Ralph Kelly Larry Gru etc. Donnie Wilmot was my main man !

 

[Magoo]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Yes. some alcohol leaked into the rink, but for me it was more like a Genny beer..

I remember when you could get a beer in the Silver Puck lounge between periods - back in the '80s. When they shut that down we had a tailgate in the parking lot behind the rear entrance. I miss those days.

I don't go quite as far back. The earliest players I remember are Geoff McMullin in goal, Dave Desmond, and Ron Carrigan. Ron Ryan was the coach.

 

[doghok]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

I remember when you could get a beer in the Silver Puck lounge between periods - back in the '80s. When they shut that down we had a tailgate in the parking lot behind the rear entrance. I miss those days.

I don't go quite as far back. The earliest players I remember are Geoff McMullin in goal, Dave Desmond, and Ron Carrigan. Ron Ryan was the coach.

Now there is a great idea. Bring back the Siver Puck Lounge. Can you imagine if each supporter, Paid $50.00 a year to be a member, and then a portion of the food and beverage went to Silver Puck, over the course of the year, you could add a fair amount to the Silver Puck Coffers.

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

you guys are all showing your age and I remember those days fondly...unfortunately we live in an age of "not in your face" and for some perverse reason getting on an opposing goaltender for 40 minutes/game is somehow frowned upon. History, tradition and loyalty are components of our culture that are now to be criticized, where we are supposed to apologize for supporting our classmates, our friends...my generation has to take a hit on this one; it's sad to realize that competition has to be dumbed down to behavioral codes and "set" behavior. I always knew that the loss of Mark Murphy would be a big blow to the athletic program. Don V (to his credit) took a bullet and was acting AD for one year. I don't want to totally focus my angst against AD Roach, but you'd like to see more Fred Dunlap or Donny Vaughan in his approach to winning than simply ensuring that students "behave" in a manner consistent with the PC masters. God knows, I've tried with my nephew (my daughter and niece went to Duke and they are totally into hoops there). Somehow someone (our new president???) should challenge the undergrads to demonstrate some collective values that we all share: loyalty, tradition, competition in its best sense...At some point I would hope these kids realize that these values override the degree of hydrohardons in the atmosphere and the (lack of) ability of us mere humans to do anything about it...let's get real...

 

[Magoo]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

At some point I would hope these kids realize that these values override the degree of hydrohardons in the atmosphere and the (lack of) ability of us mere humans to do anything about it...let's get real...

Hey Greencoat - maybe we were separated at birth!

Probably those Colgate students majoring in Peace and Conflict studies don't go to hockey games because, after all, there's so much conflict and lack of peace among the players.

Colgate actually has a major in Peace and Conflict studies, can you believe that? Makes you want to barf.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

hurling

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2009-2010

Don't forget Spadafora and Ralph Kelly Larry Gru etc. Donnie Wilmot was my main man !

No, could never forget Spad. Wilmot was great, and Kurt Brown & Casey Knobel in the nets also stood out. Brian Edgerly had a lot of grit as well.

Greencoat - I am simpatico with you & Magoo on this subject. But there will never be three hour games, beer in the stands, fights among the players, blood on the ice, and insults hurled at the opposition goalie for 60 minutes in our lifetime. Unfortunately those days are over.

The most we can hope for is that attendance improves among the students & locals if we string together a few good seasons. Of course students sitting on their hands does little good...