Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

[klbaum1077]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Can't imagine coming to Yost and not seeing Red walk down the wall to the Michigan bench. As a Buckeye fan and of course following the Michigan program since the 90's I am a big fan of Red and what he did with this program. People forget or maybe didn't know what a mess he came into. I can ply hope Ohio State can someday accomplish half of what he had done in Ann Arbor. If this weekend is the last time I get to see him behind that bench in person I say thank you Red for all the memories.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Don't be so quick to call it highly unlikely that Michigan wins a national championship this year. They wouldn't be my first choice if I had to bet money on somebody, but they would be in my top five for sure.

You're taking alot of grief from the No College Hockey Championships crowd about Michigan and the Big Ten in their thread. Gotta say, it is a stretch to beat teams that play a full game both ways, but any thing is possible. Keep in mind that offense win games, defense and goaltending win championships. We had that combo a few years ago, just came up short- and 1996-98. I don't see it with this team but admire the NHL talent.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

All I've done is have dinner with him.... But I never got the feeling that the game passed him by- he's certainly has the passion to coach, and teach these kids. Pretty amazing. And if you look carefully at "what could have been"- out teams would have been pretty loaded if not for his ability to recruit some of the best talent- which has resulted in multiple players leaving early, or even before the season starts. The Senior class could have had Copp and Trouba in it, as well as Connor Carrick (Toronto) who left a month before the first season. Not to mention John Gibson (Ducks), who we all know didn't show up. No surprise to anyone, Red gets quite upset when kids leave early- some can make it, but most don't- at least any faster than staying.

One other "thing" are the Dave Brandon years. I know it's claimed that he didn't really push on hockey or softball, but I can't see how all of the changes and whatnot didn't impact the entire athletic program. If this interests you, read John Bacon's new book- it's pretty interesting.

As for the alumni- I didn't notice any more. We DID notice a couple of kids being recruited. They were getting escorted around the rink.

What Brandon did do was change the face of the student crowd. Sadly. Unforgivable. I love Yost, but I loved Yost the intimidator more when the whole east side of the stands were filled with raucous, witty students. It made for the legend known as "The Molly Game" and basically guaranteed that Michigan would never be beaten in a NCAA regional tourney at that rink.

Don't think Berenson didn't feed into it either.

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

What Brandon did do was change the face of the student crowd. Sadly. Unforgivable. I love Yost, but I loved Yost the intimidator more when the whole east side of the stands were filled with raucous, witty students. It made for the legend known as "The Molly Game" and basically guaranteed that Michigan would never be beaten in a NCAA regional tourney at that rink.

Don't think Berenson didn't feed into it either.

I totally agree with you on the intimidation factor. Its nearly as loud since they did the renovations.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

What Brandon did do was change the face of the student crowd. Sadly. Unforgivable. I love Yost, but I loved Yost the intimidator more when the whole east side of the stands were filled with raucous, witty students. It made for the legend known as "The Molly Game" and basically guaranteed that Michigan would never be beaten in a NCAA regional tourney at that rink.

Don't think Berenson didn't feed into it either.

There was that, but there was a lot going on behind the scenes that really tore up the entire athletic department. To the point that I would think it's natural that it would have effected the hockey program even if Brandon took an more hands off approach. The turn over rate was really, really high- for everyone, including coaches.

On a brighter note- it's nice to see that one thing has been dialed back a little- the goal horn is a lot quieter. That's nice.

But I'm not a fan of the piped music when the ref doesn't drop the puck- I'm not sure the point of that.

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

I totally agree with you on the intimidation factor. Its nearly as loud since they did the renovations.

I understand the need for handicapped accessible seating, but I think taking seats on the glass away from the student section really kills any intimidation factor. The students now have about 7 seats on the glass, and the rest of the section is back several feet. That dead space on the glass kills the atmosphere, whether it be intimidation of the opponent or energy for our team to feed off of.

On a brighter note- it's nice to see that one thing has been dialed back a little- the goal horn is a lot quieter. That's nice.

But I'm not a fan of the piped music when the ref doesn't drop the puck- I'm not sure the point of that.

But the goal horn is still loud enough that when I sit on the North end of the arena I can't hear "The Victors" over the &*!@#$*(# goal horn. Who's idea was that? "Oh, I know, we have something special and meaningful, let's play a generic goal horn over it, 'cause hockey".

The piped in music I think is to kill the crowd (since it often does). I'm not sure when exactly, but some point in the last few years the athletic department decided there could not be time during a stoppage of play where there is not some kind of noise. This was/is most noticeable in basketball. I guess the idea of allowing the crowd to cheer, or even have conversations with each other is not acceptable.

 

[MaizeRage]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

What Brandon did do was change the face of the student crowd. Sadly. Unforgivable. I love Yost, but I loved Yost the intimidator more when the whole east side of the stands were filled with raucous, witty students. It made for the legend known as "The Molly Game" and basically guaranteed that Michigan would never be beaten in a NCAA regional tourney at that rink.

Don't think Berenson didn't feed into it either.

If we're being honest, it wasn't Brandon that killed the Yost student section; it was Beilein.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

I understand the need for handicapped accessible seating, but I think taking seats on the glass away from the student section really kills any intimidation factor. The students now have about 7 seats on the glass, and the rest of the section is back several feet. That dead space on the glass kills the atmosphere, whether it be intimidation of the opponent or energy for our team to feed off of.



But the goal horn is still loud enough that when I sit on the North end of the arena I can't hear "The Victors" over the &*!@#$*(# goal horn. Who's idea was that? "Oh, I know, we have something special and meaningful, let's play a generic goal horn over it, 'cause hockey".

The piped in music I think is to kill the crowd (since it often does). I'm not sure when exactly, but some point in the last few years the athletic department decided there could not be time during a stoppage of play where there is not some kind of noise. This was/is most noticeable in basketball. I guess the idea of allowing the crowd to cheer, or even have conversations with each other is not acceptable.

It's better than it used to be. Still sucks, and I want it to stop, but the horn is a lot quieter.

The music is odd- it happens when there's a false face off more now. Just the time when the COY would really get into the refs. Sucks.

If we're being honest, it wasn't Brandon that killed the Yost student section; it was Beilein.

Partially, sure. But under brandon- the students were moved, too.

Still, I wonder what the effects were on Billy Powers and Brian Weisman. They saw a lot of coaches being forced out- with the hockey team struggling, and knowing Red aint going anywhere, did they end up doing things that didn't work due to perceived pressure? Or did the players jump ship before coming as they saw some other odd reactions of recruiters thanks to how the athletic department was being run. Conner Carrick should have come- but that was a Brandon year.

 

[Khryx]

If we're being honest, it wasn't Brandon that killed the Yost student section; it was Beilein.

I'm unfamiliar with what affect Beilein had on the student section. Are you saying that students are attending the basketball games over hockey games?

 

[MGoBlueHockey]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

I'm unfamiliar with what affect Beilein had on the student section. Are you saying that students are attending the basketball games over hockey games?

Absolute nonsense. There are no Friday basketball games outside of the postseason and holiday tournaments which obviously aren't on campus.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Absolute nonsense. There are no Friday basketball games outside of the postseason and holiday tournaments which obviously aren't on campus.

That is true, but it is more about the cash outlay for a student and the choice between the sports. Beyond that it was the attitude given to the students at Yost about certain things. Sure, the creativity has gone stale a little (thus the less embraced obscenities) but so has the size of the crowd. It just isn't as much fun as bounceyball.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

That is true, but it is more about the cash outlay for a student and the choice between the sports. Beyond that it was the attitude given to the students at Yost about certain things. Sure, the creativity has gone stale a little (thus the less embraced obscenities) but so has the size of the crowd. It just isn't as much fun as bounceyball.

That and there was a LOT of tension between the students and the AD over ticket prices for football. I'm sure more than a handful stopped getting tickets all together thanks to all of the issues.

 

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

Don't be so quick to call it highly unlikely that Michigan wins a national championship this year. They wouldn't be my first choice if I had to bet money on somebody, but they would be in my top five for sure.

You have no idea how much I hope that I'm wrong but....

 

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

All I've done is have dinner with him.... But I never got the feeling that the game passed him by- he's certainly has the passion to coach, and teach these kids. Pretty amazing. And if you look carefully at "what could have been"- out teams would have been pretty loaded if not for his ability to recruit some of the best talent- which has resulted in multiple players leaving early, or even before the season starts. The Senior class could have had Copp and Trouba in it, as well as Connor Carrick (Toronto) who left a month before the first season. Not to mention John Gibson (Ducks), who we all know didn't show up. No surprise to anyone, Red gets quite upset when kids leave early- some can make it, but most don't- at least any faster than staying.

One other "thing" are the Dave Brandon years. I know it's claimed that he didn't really push on hockey or softball, but I can't see how all of the changes and whatnot didn't impact the entire athletic program. If this interests you, read John Bacon's new book- it's pretty interesting.

As for the alumni- I didn't notice any more. We DID notice a couple of kids being recruited. They were getting escorted around the rink.

DB Brandon had his lackey's address hockey. The commercialization of games at Yost became absurd. They nickel and dimed you to death. And the topper, I assume this was for all sports though, he made everyone who volunteered at games (i.e. ushers, vending staff, ticket takers, etc.) fill-out an application to keep doing that. It wasn't just a brief application either, it wanted to know your hobbies, interests, about your family, etc. My favorite usher at Yost quit because of that. He worked games at Yost for 15 years but when DB Brandon showed up with his 3-page applications to "volunteer" he said later.

As you know Yost isn't Yost anymore. I'm not made at the metal bleachers and other stuff from the rennovations, it was time and the place needed it. I'm upset because he brooke something that wasn't broken. There's another lil'tid-bit from Bacon's book because you're fond of bringing him into this. I don't really have an issue with Bacon, although I know of some people who aren't thrilled with him. Mainly because they feel as though Bacon sold-out Michigan. A lot of what Bacon says is fabricated, or so they say. I tend to believe the basic premise of what Bacon says though.

 

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

From my seats in Section 28 I tend to see the former players watching the game. There were maybe 3 former players on the landings in the North endzone (other than ones I expect like Komisarik and mini Hunwick). They looked familiar enough I knew they were players, but I couldn't figure out who they were.

Looking ahead to this weekend. If we play Penn State again Friday, what do you think are the chances they start Skoff? I was impressed by him coming in cold to face a 5 on 3 Saturday night.

Slim and none. It'll be McAdam. That my opinion though.

 

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

What Brandon did do was change the face of the student crowd. Sadly. Unforgivable. I love Yost, but I loved Yost the intimidator more when the whole east side of the stands were filled with raucous, witty students. It made for the legend known as "The Molly Game" and basically guaranteed that Michigan would never be beaten in a NCAA regional tourney at that rink.

Don't think Berenson didn't feed into it either.

That's what I miss as well. I talk to current students and ask them to make the student section bigger and better and they become offended. They're happy with their 3 sections. I want to entire east sideline again. I remember one year I bought student tickets late so me and maybe 10 other students got thrown into section 1 (next to where the band used to be) beause all of the seats on the east sideline were gone.

 

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

If we're being honest, it wasn't Brandon that killed the Yost student section; it was Beilein.

Wrong sport?

 

[hockeyguy]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

seriously, hockey...Hockey, Hockey......

Michigan Hockey is #2 in big ten conference. They need to finish strong and have a great showing in the Tourney.

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

That is true, but it is more about the cash outlay for a student and the choice between the sports.

That. Going back to the late 90's after buying football tickets, my brother and his roommate could only afford either b-ball or hockey season tickets, and they chose b-ball. I was fortunate in the band to not have to buy season tickets (for football or hockey).

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan Wolverines 2015-2016 Season

So we have Penn State tonight. Lets hope whatever mental problem we had with them in past years (including the first B1G tournament, when we let them take us OUT of the NCAA, by having a losing record) is over since we swept them this season. The oddity we saw with the buckies ( ) should be over with. Lets get another trophy for the season.

(As for Bacon- I don't doubt some details are not 100%, but his backing theory seems to fit what we all witnessed as fans, and we, as long term backers and donors need to make sure Manuel knows how we feel, particularly about the students. As far as I can tell, most of the verbal issues are no longer there, so we should try to fill the east side with them, like the old days)