LSSU hockey 2013-14

[davyd83]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

As an example -- as I have noted before I have friends and family in North Dakota. North Dakota Athletics -- and specifically the hockey program -- roll out news daily. It is likely that not more than a day or two goes by in North Dakota where there isn't something from the school, or provided by the school to the local media, about the hockey program.

Did you realize there is a big difference in staffing and funding for sports information in Grand Forks vs that in the Soo? Linda and her crew do a very good job, but they have two full time persons vs a half dozen or more at UND. UND also has sports information personnel that travel with the team to all games as well. Comparing LSSU to UND in sports information output is hardly a fair comparison.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Is that the same Tech squad that won 13 games last year while LSSU won 17?

Tell me, which program do you see on the rise....Tech or LSSU...who will you put your money on this year...LSSU or Tech (and if you say LSSU...email me, I'm willing to place a "friendly" wager on it).

 

[davyd83]

Tell me, which program do you see on the rise....Tech or LSSU...who will you put your money on this year...LSSU or Tech (and if you say LSSU...email me, I'm willing to place a "friendly" wager on it).

I think Tech will post a better record than LSSU this year IF their younger players continue to develop and IF they get more consistency from their goalies. The losses of Lain and Robinson will really hurt LSSU's offense, but the Lakers do have the top goaltending tandem in the league. Takes the group of Tech, Ferris, NMU, LSSU, Bowling Green and UAF and throw them in a hat, draw them out in any order for the 2-7 seeds in the playoffs. Nothing would be a major shock and 2 or 3 games might be all that separates them at the end of the year.

 

[Bill]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Bill...............you need to watch a little less Fox News

It's got nothing to do with Fox News. The Obamacare bill was what, something like 1500-2000 pages (Senate and House versions were different) and that doesn't even count all the procedures and regulations that will be needed to implement it. I like things simple and I think Obamacare is going to be a bureaucratic nightmare and will do nothing to improve healthcare in this country. In fact, I think it will make things worse. Heck, even the unions who so wholeheartedly supported Obama and the Democrats are getting very worried about the implications of Obamacare.

On the hockey side, I'm disappointed with the delay in the Norris Center Project but not concerned about it not getting done. I think we'll see it, just not as quickly as we thought.

 

[Lakers2Glory]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

What we (the fans...you know the ones that really matter because without us bye bye program) were requesting was simply an update from time to time...was that really too much to ask? So you say you have inside info (good for you) so please share with us how much the donation entails and what exactly is to be done and where...or is that classified information and to high up the food chain for us little peons?

You will forgive me of course if I state I have no confidence in this donation nor believe what you are saying. Not that it really matters. It would have been nice to see some improvements to the facility but as other (wiser) posters have stated, staff matters much more than facilities. Laker hockey has adequate facilities.....Laker Hockey has an inadequate coaching staff. I would much rather see a donor or group of donors put in money in order to hire the proper staff like Michigan Tech did.

I haven't seen the new plans so I can't comment on that. I do recall the atrium being scaled back from the original design, but that is pretty old news. As far as the amount, I don't think that has changed much.

I'm not about to tell a generous donor what to spend his money on. If he wants to build LSSU a Taj Mahal, let him build it. If he wants to spend it on coaching salaries, so be it. I'm just grateful someone is actually going to give to LSSU.

Of course we all want information. But LSSU isn't going to jeopardize Donor-Foundation relations to provide us "peons" with information we will learn in due time. If the stipulation was to be anonymous, then I commend LSSU for holding up their end of the deal. Even if it means I remain a mostly uninformed "peon".

 

[Meehan Popcorn Guy]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

99% of these posters think they know and they don't know a fraction of the truth and frankly unless you pony up more than the tuition you paid back in the 90's don't have the right to know what happens on the inside. Why? BECAUSE ITS THE INSIDE AND YOUR NOT THERE!

Hilarious post! While I completely disagree with what you say (in fact I think it's absurd to suggest alumni and fans who haven't donated forfeit any right to pertinent information) it's a funny response to a lot of the chatter on these boards.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Bill...............you need to watch a little less Fox News

Better than CNN and MSNBC. They have Truth Squad bias lol.

As for the Norris Center Project delay, I'm not surprised.

 

[Lakerblue]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Tell me, which program do you see on the rise....Tech or LSSU...who will you put your money on this year...LSSU or Tech (and if you say LSSU...email me, I'm willing to place a "friendly" wager on it).

LSSU is a late-season playoff nightmare -- and our Lakers have won more playoffs games the past two seasons than Tech.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Tell me, which program do you see on the rise....Tech or LSSU...who will you put your money on this year...LSSU or Tech (and if you say LSSU...email me, I'm willing to place a "friendly" wager on it).

None of the above.

 

[Laker-Blue]

Right on, right on! Don't question the administration or those on the "inside". Just buy your season tickets, join the Laker Club, and keep your mouths shut, we know what's best. Judging by the last 8 years of proven results I can see why.

Year 9 is going to be the best one yet!

I apologize, I must be wrong if this guy agrees with me! Sorry.

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I apologize, I must be wrong if this guy agrees with me! Sorry.

Ok. Don't let it happen again.

 

[RealLaker94]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

I agree with Lakerblue, that the Athletic Dept. can do much more to communicate with fans, and be more visible to the community. Last summer, the 1992 NCAA Championship team was inducted into the LSSU HOF, and there was very little coverage of that. The only coverage of the Alumni hockey game was my post at Michigan College Hockey Online, and that wasn't much becasue I had to leave early for my son's Little League game. At least I had the chance to chat with Darrin Madeley, who is still one of the nicest guys to ever where the anchor.
The Lakers are starting a new era, joining the most historic league in college hockey history, and this needs to be advertised and showed to the public. This move needs to be viewed as a positive, not a negative (oh, no, no games with UM and MSU). The WCHA logo should be everywhere and the Lakers should be stating how proud they are to be in this league.
The Soo Eagles advertise all over town, and go to the elemetary schools. The kids ask to go watch the Eagles instead of the Lakers, because those kids are asking them to watch them. Advertise the product that is Laker Hockey!
For the kids, have sponsors give away free pucks, t-shirts, and so on to the first 200 kids into the building. Kids love to get free stuff, and that would obviously bring in some young fans. I love Minor League Baseball, and the college hockey crew can have special nights to bring fans in. Be fan friendly, and give another incentive to watch LSSU other than the game.
Oh, yeah, Obama...sucks...

 

[DM2SM]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

DM2SM - This project was announce in March of 2010. This has not been going on for 8 years. And yes, it is Fed Regs keeping this project from happening. I have read the info. that came straight from the donor, like other shareholders. This holdup isn't just affecting LSSU, it's also holding up others from getting money as well. Conspiracy? C'mon man!

Let me try it another way for you Lakers2Glory. Whether or not there is a renovation project is of no concern to me. I go into the Norris Center a dozen times a year. it may dress up a building, add some office space and a locker room or two but nothing that I will use. To correct you if I may, during Coach Roques first year as Head Coach he stated that an individual with no ties to LSSU had come on board and that, among other things, they were working on plans to add onto the Taffy Abel Arena. That was eight years ago. The announcement you speak of was the final stage showing the public the animated renderings and announcing the start and completion date for the three phases of construction. The announcement was a public relations move - and a good one - geared around a matching fund campaign to further generate funds that had no bearing on the funding for the renovation as it was already pledged and completely funded by the private donor. There is no conspiracy theory. If I was an outside donor that came in wanting to help a program in need, I would have gotten disheartened long ago and would be questioning whether I was throwing my money away.
Our point is not about a project, a donor, second half collapses, unappreciated/underpaid coaches, low attendance and unhappy players, etc. Our point is that the impression is that no-one is doing anything to change any of it and when one of us asks questions we are told that unless we are on the "inside" it's none of our business.

 

[BleedinBlueLaker93]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Here is my Two cents. I don't thing it is Roque. I don't think it is in the Hockey program at all. I think the issue is higher up the food chain then that. I think in my humble opinion it is Dunbar. She is a JOKE as an A.D. her one and only concern is money... Not spending it.... She does not get that with out a STRONG LSSU hockey program her love child basketball has NOTHING... Dunbar is the one that needs to go. LSSU needs someone with vision, someone that is willing to see the program for what it is. The reason that LSSU Has any other sports at all. Time to go Kris.... you have over stayed your welcome.

Does a nail have a head? You hit this one square on. How does a basketball coach become an AD with no experience...wanted more $$ and the only way the kings could do that was move her up a position or two. You are right its time for AD Dunbar to be terminated. Not only has hockey suffered but look at the women's BB team, an up and coming team under Dunbar's leadership is now a flopping disgrace.

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Did you realize there is a big difference in staffing and funding for sports information in Grand Forks vs that in the Soo? Linda and her crew do a very good job, but they have two full time persons vs a half dozen or more at UND. UND also has sports information personnel that travel with the team to all games as well. Comparing LSSU to UND in sports information output is hardly a fair comparison.

NoDak may very well have more personnel and funding in their SID than LSSU, and as such a straight ***-for-tat production comparison may be a bit unfair but can you really say that Lake State's SID does an adequate job putting out stories and information about LSSU hockey? On the hockey page of lssulakers.com, the schools official athletics site, there have been 5 stories/articles posted since the beginning on May. For a school that has one D1 sport that most can agree is the school's biggest flag waver/claim to fame, I see that as inadequate, especially for a place that could certainly use a few more butts in the seats and followers of the program.
I'm not necessarily asking for a humongous spread every single day of the year but some new material once a week is not too much to ask. The Lakers have 3 players that are attending/have attended NHL developmental camps, there should have been an article on that. Colin Campbell went to Tampa Bay's camp last week, would it have been too much to ask for a staffer to have a 10 minute phone conversation with Campbell following the camp to get some info about the camp, how it went for him etc.? There should have been an article on that, the same with Loesch and Czuczman following their camps. Put out a blurb about Acton signing a free agent deal with Edmonton, put out a preview on the WCHA season, the history of the conference, put out a story about former LSSU assistant Rolston getting the top job for the Buffalo Sabres, put out profile on this year's incoming Laker seniors, etc. These are all things that don't take weeks worth of research or digging to write, and it keeps the (few) Laker faithful interested and may drum up interest among casual fans. If nothing else the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results (although at times it seems like LSSU is bound and determined to prove this notion wrong), this dearth of information approach clearly isn't drawing people in, so why not try something different that wouldn't take very much effort, time, or money?

 

[Lakers2Glory]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

Let me try it another way for you Lakers2Glory. Whether or not there is a renovation project is of no concern to me. I go into the Norris Center a dozen times a year. it may dress up a building, add some office space and a locker room or two but nothing that I will use. To correct you if I may, during Coach Roques first year as Head Coach he stated that an individual with no ties to LSSU had come on board and that, among other things, they were working on plans to add onto the Taffy Abel Arena. That was eight years ago. The announcement you speak of was the final stage showing the public the animated renderings and announcing the start and completion date for the three phases of construction. The announcement was a public relations move - and a good one - geared around a matching fund campaign to further generate funds that had no bearing on the funding for the renovation as it was already pledged and completely funded by the private donor. There is no conspiracy theory. If I was an outside donor that came in wanting to help a program in need, I would have gotten disheartened long ago and would be questioning whether I was throwing my money away.
Our point is not about a project, a donor, second half collapses, unappreciated/underpaid coaches, low attendance and unhappy players, etc. Our point is that the impression is that no-one is doing anything to change any of it and when one of us asks questions we are told that unless we are on the "inside" it's none of our business.

I was not in the Soo during Coach Roque's first year so thank you for the clarification. The problem you speak of is not just one that affects Athletics, but lack of communication permeates most of the University. Ask any employee, faculty member, or Sault community member and you will most likely get a similar response. The only way to change is to set the tone at the top and make sure it filters down. I doubt that is going to happen until a new President comes in.

 

[Lakers2Glory]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

The Sports Info staff only has 1 full time employee and a part-time employee. It's another example of "you get what you pay for". Paying someone to write for less than 25K a year, not to mention all the statistical reports needed to be done, press releases for all sports, and game day responsibilities, it isn't much of a surprise that office is extremely overloaded. To correct the issue, they need to hire another writer. But that isn't going to happen so we will be stuck in the same pattern for years to come.

 

[DM2SM]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

The Sports Info staff only has 1 full time employee and a part-time employee. It's another example of "you get what you pay for". Paying someone to write for less than 25K a year, not to mention all the statistical reports needed to be done, press releases for all sports, and game day responsibilities, it isn't much of a surprise that office is extremely overloaded. To correct the issue, they need to hire another writer. But that isn't going to happen so we will be stuck in the same pattern for years to come.

And to think. I thought it was more conspiracy theory regarding media sensorship and it turns out it is just more of the same old status quo. So at least we can start to blame the SID department.

 

[Lakerblue]

Re: LSSU hockey 2013-14

NoDak may very well have more personnel and funding in their SID than LSSU, and as such a straight ***-for-tat production comparison may be a bit unfair but can you really say that Lake State's SID does an adequate job putting out stories and information about LSSU hockey? On the hockey page of lssulakers.com, the schools official athletics site, there have been 5 stories/articles posted since the beginning on May. For a school that has one D1 sport that most can agree is the school's biggest flag waver/claim to fame, I see that as inadequate, especially for a place that could certainly use a few more butts in the seats and followers of the program.
I'm not necessarily asking for a humongous spread every single day of the year but some new material once a week is not too much to ask. The Lakers have 3 players that are attending/have attended NHL developmental camps, there should have been an article on that. Colin Campbell went to Tampa Bay's camp last week, would it have been too much to ask for a staffer to have a 10 minute phone conversation with Campbell following the camp to get some info about the camp, how it went for him etc.? There should have been an article on that, the same with Loesch and Czuczman following their camps. Put out a blurb about Acton signing a free agent deal with Edmonton, put out a preview on the WCHA season, the history of the conference, put out a story about former LSSU assistant Rolston getting the top job for the Buffalo Sabres, put out profile on this year's incoming Laker seniors, etc. These are all things that don't take weeks worth of research or digging to write, and it keeps the (few) Laker faithful interested and may drum up interest among casual fans. If nothing else the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results (although at times it seems like LSSU is bound and determined to prove this notion wrong), this dearth of information approach clearly isn't drawing people in, so why not try something different that wouldn't take very much effort, time, or money?

I agree 100%. Could not have said it better.

 

[davyd83]

I agree 100%. Could not have said it better.

It's easy to say it wouldn't take much time, effort or money when you don't know all the details of what those who you wish to do it have to do or what their resources or compensation are. Check Ferris, NMU, Tech or Bemidji. You're not going to see much more output than you see at LSSU. Hey, feel free to apply for the job. I'm sure you'd be more than willing to put in the hours they do (60 hour weeks are the easy ones in season) for the paycheck they pull down. Personally, I tip my cap to the SIDs in the WCHA & GLIAC. They are overworked, underpaid, understaffed and under resourced and there's always someone ready to criticize that neither could nor would be able to do the job or know what it entails. While the critics are out with their friends having a beer at the Downtowner or at home with their families, they're still in the office until midnight on a day that started at 8 am.