Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

[The Rube]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Watching Supertroopers, drinking a Fat Squirrel, and doing shots of Admiral because Tech sucks.

 

[The Incredible Gulk]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

I have to agree, I am very happy right now.

 

[JohnsonsJerseys]

No where to go but up...

No where to go but up...

From what I've heard there was some sort of fallout between the hockey program and the community in the 90's.

I'm not sure if it was a fall-out as much as a different attitude between the hockey program and the community. At one point Mancinni mandated that the entire hockey team live together in Danielle Heights for a year. Other than the hockey team showing up at Wads Dorm for breakfast on Friday mornings of home series weekends, you didn't see them much around campus or doing a great deal of PR stuff.

Even just as a casual fan taking in a few games a year, the players are much more in touch with the public today than when I was a student in the 90's. I don't see any coaching changes being made before next season. I think Tech still believes that Jamie is the future of the program and Mikesch is Tech's main tie to the USHL and USA Hockey programs so they'll be back next season.

As far as what is going on this season, I have no idea. Even if there were no coaches behind the bench, at some point the players have to just get completly p.o.'d losing this many games. I'm sure they don't like to be labeled as "losers" and I'm really suprised that at least one game hasn't turned into a full out old school brawl, or something that would light a fire under these guys.

I don't know the answers, but the questions are not pretty.
Ryan J

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: No where to go but up...

Re: No where to go but up...

I'm not sure if it was a fall-out as much as a different attitude between the hockey program and the community. At one point Mancinni mandated that the entire hockey team live together in Danielle Heights for a year. Other than the hockey team showing up at Wads Dorm for breakfast on Friday mornings of home series weekends, you didn't see them much around campus or doing a great deal of PR stuff.

Even just as a casual fan taking in a few games a year, the players are much more in touch with the public today than when I was a student in the 90's. I don't see any coaching changes being made before next season. I think Tech still believes that Jamie is the future of the program and Mikesch is Tech's main tie to the USHL and USA Hockey programs so they'll be back next season.

As far as what is going on this season, I have no idea. Even if there were no coaches behind the bench, at some point the players have to just get completly p.o.'d losing this many games. I'm sure they don't like to be labeled as "losers" and I'm really suprised that at least one game hasn't turned into a full out old school brawl, or something that would light a fire under these guys.

I don't know the answers, but the questions are not pretty.
Ryan J

How is Mikesch tied to the USHL or USA Hockey? Tok actually coached in the USHL, Jamie's best man at his wedding is the coach of the U-17 team? I don't see the connection to Mikesch and those organizations...

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: No where to go but up...

Re: No where to go but up...

How is Mikesch tied to the USHL or USA Hockey? Tok actually coached in the USHL, Jamie's best man at his wedding is the coach of the U-17 team? I don't see the connection to Mikesch and those organizations...

Mikesch did play in the USHL (almost two decades ago), but Tok is the guy with serious connections to the coaching ranks in that league.

As far as I know, Mikesch's connections to USA Hockey mostly lie in helping coach at a few U16/U17 Selects festivals, and a couple of midget events. I'm under the impression that a big reason why he is on the staff is because he's a local, and people remember him as the star player in the mid-90s.

 

[Huskiefan906]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Looking at next year with the recruits to date:

At forward:
Slight upgrade
Rix, Johnstone IN
Dobson, Bunger, Gwilliam (Eli V) OUT

On D, Depth improvement
Kivisto, Van Wagner (Eli V) Out, Sova, Stebner IN

Tommy Brown integrates into regular shift or is made forward due to his skating ability.

I don't see much of a battle for ice time next year as it looks like the top 20 will be pretty easily set.

Here's hoping Gordic can provide offense next year with a year of development.

I hope Tech can build on some positives closing out this year.
Negativity breeds negativity (30 years or so) and I hope they can do something to get a good start for next year going after the bye.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

I think the point we need too look at is investing more money into the hockey to increase the return. MacD and I were discussing last night how an empty seat means zero revenue. The athletic dept needs to try to be more competitive in selling tickets. (i.e. Ticket Packages) and create a stronger product on the ice. If we were to increase our average attendance up 1000 people it would increase ticket revenue alone 100k+ for the year. I feel the athletic department and their marketing department has not done enough to drive ticket sales. It seems like the only advertising they rely on locally is the series previews that are in the DMG. Buy and billboard and rebuild the marquee on Townsend for starters. The athletic department at whole seems to forget that ever person more they bring in the door is more money for athletic programs.

Yep. Hell, a few well placed billboards would help get the word out. When was the last time that MTU has had a Billboard right after the Bridge in St. Ignace, proclaming the UP to be Husky Terratory?? A few more creative billboards would help get more attention to the programs. Heck, it might even be in MTU and NMU mutual interests to have a dualing billboard campaign going on to inject a little more heat into the rivary there, perhaps listing off all of the dates that MTU and NMU lock horns in any of their sports with all of the common jokes and steriotypes we know and love about both schools.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Yep. Hell, a few well placed billboards would help get the word out. When was the last time that MTU has had a Billboard right after the Bridge in St. Ignace, proclaming the UP to be Husky Terratory?? A few more creative billboards would help get more attention to the programs. Heck, it might even be in MTU and NMU mutual interests to have a dualing billboard campaign going on to inject a little more heat into the rivary there, perhaps listing off all of the dates that MTU and NMU lock horns in any of their sports with all of the common jokes and steriotypes we know and love about both schools.

Yeah, a billboard on the side of the road about NMU students having STD's would go over spectacularly.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Yeah, a billboard on the side of the road about NMU students having STD's would go over spectacularly.

I could see NMU's billboard about MTU right now:

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

I could see NMU's billboard about MTU right now:

Could the sausages made to look any nerdier???

BB_DL... there's no such thing as bad media coverage, just media coverage that doesn't get spun correctly at the right time.

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Yep. Hell, a few well placed billboards would help get the word out. When was the last time that MTU has had a Billboard right after the Bridge in St. Ignace, proclaming the UP to be Husky Terratory?? A few more creative billboards would help get more attention to the programs. Heck, it might even be in MTU and NMU mutual interests to have a dualing billboard campaign going on to inject a little more heat into the rivary there, perhaps listing off all of the dates that MTU and NMU lock horns in any of their sports with all of the common jokes and steriotypes we know and love about both schools.

Except that part of the UP has a Laker infestation...

I agree though, it would be neat to have some kind of advertisement somewhere about this.

 

[geezer]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Still on strike here in geezerland. So, did the "hockey team" play last weekend? Do they still suck? Is Russell still "coaching" the team?
Give me a call when the nightmare is over.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Outside of each school's campus, the only press or advertising the games seemed to get when I was up there was a few mentions on the 'official' radio stations (93.5 in Hoton and whatever Marquette station covers NMU hockey), the previews and recaps in the Gazette, and the usual NMU-slanted coverage () from TV 6 in Marquette.

On campus you'd see a few postings, but mostly in the SDC, which I always thought was a mistake. Given the average student demographic, probably less than half the student body visits the SDC each week, and a majority of students also won't stop beeching about that "horrible" hill you have to climb to reach the complex.

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Outside of each school's campus, the only press or advertising the games seemed to get when I was up there was a few mentions on the 'official' radio stations (93.5 in Hoton and whatever Marquette station covers NMU hockey), the previews and recaps in the Gazette, and the usual NMU-slanted coverage () from TV 6 in Marquette.

On campus you'd see a few postings, but mostly in the SDC, which I always thought was a mistake. Given the average student demographic, probably less than half the student body visits the SDC each week, and a majority of students also won't stop beeching about that "horrible" hill you have to climb to reach the complex.

100.3. It has a few sister stations, too, that will mention it. TV 6 is useless, and don't get me going on the Mining Urinal.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Still on strike here in geezerland. So, did the "hockey team" play last weekend? Do they still suck? Is Russell still "coaching" the team?
Give me a call when the nightmare is over.

The team appeared to play something resembling the sport of hockey this weekend, and even appeared to be slightly competitive at times, but failed to play well enough to earn any conference points. So, continue the picket line.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

The team appeared to play something resembling the sport of hockey this weekend, and even appeared to be slightly competitive at times, but failed to play well enough to earn any conference points. So, continue the picket line.

I've been contemplating whether or not to post this, but at this point, with this team, I just don't care anymore.

I talked to Campion after the game Saturday night. He told me: "I'd heard how bad Tech is, but you really don't believe it until you see it in person." Also, he said that after the game on Friday, Gwilliam apoligized to him for the poor quality of the game and said that they would try to be better the next night.

 

[NMU8405]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Yep. Hell, a few well placed billboards would help get the word out. When was the last time that MTU has had a Billboard right after the Bridge in St. Ignace, proclaming the UP to be Husky Terratory?? A few more creative billboards would help get more attention to the programs. Heck, it might even be in MTU and NMU mutual interests to have a dualing billboard campaign going on to inject a little more heat into the rivary there, perhaps listing off all of the dates that MTU and NMU lock horns in any of their sports with all of the common jokes and steriotypes we know and love about both schools.

NMU wont spend money. Dont fool yourself. Im not sure the status of Tech's financial situation, but Im going to assume its in the same state of Northern's. Not very well. Cut in state spending, as seems to be the case every year means cuts in non-essential programs. Usually Atheltics come first. I doubt money will be spent on billboards, or other advertising. I wish Northern would just cut its Golf, and Swimming and Diving Teams. Golf Coach, and Head Basketball Coach Dean Ellis summed it up fairly well with this quote: "With the match being on our home course, we hope to finish in the middle of the pack due to the advantage of knowing the course."

The best way to sell seats (other than winning) is ticket packages. Getting people to come back to your product is key. Say if someone buys a ticket package for NMU vs. Tech, they get 1/2 off or free tickets to Tech vs. UAA. When those people come back, their kids will want food, pay for parking and if they have fun they might consider future games.

Something else to try is discount in advance ticket sales. If you buy your ticket Monday through Thursday...make it a few dollars cheaper.

 

[aparch]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

NMU wont spend money. Dont fool yourself. Im not sure the status of Tech's financial situation, but Im going to assume its in the same state of Northern's. Not very well. Cut in state spending, as seems to be the case every year means cuts in non-essential programs. Usually Atheltics come first. I doubt money will be spent on billboards, or other advertising. I wish Northern would just cut its Golf, and Swimming and Diving Teams. Golf Coach, and Head Basketball Coach Dean Ellis summed it up fairly well with this quote: "With the match being on our home course, we hope to finish in the middle of the pack due to the advantage of knowing the course."

The best way to sell seats (other than winning) is ticket packages. Getting people to come back to your product is key. Say if someone buys a ticket package for NMU vs. Tech, they get 1/2 off or free tickets to Tech vs. UAA. When those people come back, their kids will want food, pay for parking and if they have fun they might consider future games.

Something else to try is discount in advance ticket sales. If you buy your ticket Monday through Thursday...make it a few dollars cheaper.

To the first part of this:
Title IX
Easiest way to save money on scholarships and infrastructural costs? Cut the football team.

To the second part:
They've tried this. No one came to those games. I remember the year that Michigan and Michigan State were $25 each. But you got a voucher for a ticket versus UA_ or BGSU. No one came to those "free" games.

Third part: Creative marketing needs to be done. I would take that "Sports Promotion" major and spin that into a "free" marketing department for the University. Your degree depends on the continued promotion of NMU Sports.

In NO WAY am I advocating sandwich boards on players to advertise games (ala Frank Anzalone), but some thinking outside the box needs to take place. Maybe (as much as it pains me to type this) have "Scout Night" for the area boy and girl scouts? Hold a MQT region kickoff for Girl Scout Cookies at the Berry and have the families get tickets to the game.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

NMU wont spend money. Dont fool yourself. Im not sure the status of Tech's financial situation, but Im going to assume its in the same state of Northern's. Not very well. Cut in state spending, as seems to be the case every year means cuts in non-essential programs. Usually Atheltics come first. I doubt money will be spent on billboards, or other advertising. I wish Northern would just cut its Golf, and Swimming and Diving Teams. Golf Coach, and Head Basketball Coach Dean Ellis summed it up fairly well with this quote: "With the match being on our home course, we hope to finish in the middle of the pack due to the advantage of knowing the course."

The best way to sell seats (other than winning) is ticket packages. Getting people to come back to your product is key. Say if someone buys a ticket package for NMU vs. Tech, they get 1/2 off or free tickets to Tech vs. UAA. When those people come back, their kids will want food, pay for parking and if they have fun they might consider future games.

Something else to try is discount in advance ticket sales. If you buy your ticket Monday through Thursday...make it a few dollars cheaper.

You see, this is where that 6 figure check from the WCHA comes in handy. Its a shame that the higher-ups at NMU didn't realize this.

 

[NMU8405]

Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

.

Third part: Creative marketing needs to be done. I would take that "Sports Promotion" major and spin that into a "free" marketing department for the University. Your degree depends on the continued promotion of NMU Sports.

I was in that as a minor, and in no way was anything ever related towards NMU Sports. A few of the students in there didnt even know NMU had a hockey team. I really hate most of the general population at NMU. They'd rather cheer for a school they have no chance at getting into (like Michigan...or State, or even Eastern)