Let me add that we get to see a lot of th ESPN games up on all the screens at our local pub and most games show a noticeable lack of attendance. Especially true for most of the girls games. With the exception of a very few of the mostly top successful squads, there are more people in the bar here than at most of those hockey games. A similar situation seems to exist for a host of the boys games with some obvious exceptions.
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RPI 2025–26: Off the Critical List and In Recovery
- Thread starter Ralph Baer
- Start date
I know there was excitement over the summer about 12-15-even more wins for this season, a swift return, etc. But think we're seeing how truly rock-bottom the program is, both on the ice and with everything that surrounds it. It's going to be a tough climb upwards.
The low attendance and lifeless atmosphere at the Field House is a shame, given this could be one of college hockey's great barns. I see lots of factors, all of which have to be addressed simultaneously.
The hockey has been poor for far too long - 20 years with only two top-4 ECAC finishes, one NCAA trip, etc. The student body has had little reason to rally behind the program. A local fan base where the people who remember past success are now aging out and where new fans aren't being brought in. A poor sports information/marketing capability (though this season they've improved on Instagram and are finally using TikTok). The ticketing difficulties NYhockeyguy has mentioned, that no modern sports experience should involve. And so on.
I grew up in Troy, the kid of two RPI alums, one of whom worked at RPI for decades, and the team was part of life in Troy and beyond. I've not lived there for many years, so have no idea whether RPI and the program are out in the community, giving away free tickets to local youth hockey organizations, getting players into schools when they have free time, and so on. That stuff takes time and effort and won't pay off immediately, but has long term benefits.
The low attendance and lifeless atmosphere at the Field House is a shame, given this could be one of college hockey's great barns. I see lots of factors, all of which have to be addressed simultaneously.
The hockey has been poor for far too long - 20 years with only two top-4 ECAC finishes, one NCAA trip, etc. The student body has had little reason to rally behind the program. A local fan base where the people who remember past success are now aging out and where new fans aren't being brought in. A poor sports information/marketing capability (though this season they've improved on Instagram and are finally using TikTok). The ticketing difficulties NYhockeyguy has mentioned, that no modern sports experience should involve. And so on.
I grew up in Troy, the kid of two RPI alums, one of whom worked at RPI for decades, and the team was part of life in Troy and beyond. I've not lived there for many years, so have no idea whether RPI and the program are out in the community, giving away free tickets to local youth hockey organizations, getting players into schools when they have free time, and so on. That stuff takes time and effort and won't pay off immediately, but has long term benefits.
DavidNardolillo
Well-known member
Last night's replay credit to Tom Coughlin https://www.empire8network.com/utica/?B=2886986. What a game, what a win!
Whenever you think a 1-8 start is bad and your team is the worst of the worst and absolutely no one at any level can screw up as bad your team, check out this collage of brain freezes (fa---) these jabronies pulled off. At least our team hasn't done anything like this (yet)!!!
Obviously, no need to watch the whole thing. Proceed to EXACTLY 2 hours and 41 minutes of the above link, which I hope works, and get a load of the rest.
I like the creativity to incorporate your goaltender into a passing move to facilitate an 3-on-3 OT line change, but this catastrophe illustrates that the basic principles of play still apply: breakout passes through the center of the defensive zone are dangerous.
I think the decline of RPI hockey began the day they announced the ECAV project. It was a massive sports focused project that only marginally touched on the school’s only major sport. The new locker rooms were nice but other than that the only significant HFH changes were a new throne room for the queen and the removal of the stage, sending the band to the rafters. Both were a net loss. Oh, we got windows. Why does an arena need windows that provide no view?
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As one that really dislikes the OT figure skating exhibition, I take a little satisfaction in watching the puck control at all costs strategy - in this case a 150 foot backpass to the goalie - blow up on a team.I like the creativity to incorporate your goaltender into a passing move to facilitate an 3-on-3 OT line change, but this catastrophe illustrates that the basic principles of play still apply: breakout passes through the center of the defensive zone are dangerous.
NYhockeyguy
Member
Hey now, we got a small video board that we don’t use for fan engagement beyond “find the puck under the helmet”, and a “we got one!” clip after the first goal (if there is one)I think the decline of RPI hockey began the day they announced the ECAV project. It was a massive sports focused project that only marginally touched on the school’s only major sport. The new locker rooms were nice but other than that the only significant HFH changes were a new throne room for the queen and the removal of the stage, sending the band to the rafters. Both were a net loss. Oh, we got windows. Why does an arena need windows that provide no view?
For the football fans- at the half it is RPI 10 Ithaca 7 in a low scoring defensive struggle of two of the three top teams in the Liberty league. After a couple weeks of very weak competition and easy wins this is a tough test against a very good and very big team. Go Red!
Footbal final - Ithaca scored 14 late points to take a 24-17 lead with only a couple minutes remaining. RPI defense then held and blocked a punt to recover and score a TD to reach 24-23. Coach decided on a trick play and faked the tie with a PAT and went for a 2 point conversion pass that failed. odd decision when you had an almost guarantee of a tie but the final score ends with a loss at 24-23. RPI still has a chance for a playoff position if they can win at Union next weekend but they had their chanes today.
RPI Hockey Guy
Member
Thoughts on the two games this weekend:
Friday: Game as advertised. RPI looked like the better team, but SLU looked like they were out for Blood. Overall game felt balanced. Unfortunate result. Unfortunate the winning goal was an empty net goal. Too little success on offense too late, however the team looked like they were trying. Can't say I'm happy when we lost to SLU, but I am happy the engineers fought to the end. I have to wonder, if SLU didn't challenge the goal, could RPI have maintained that momentum to bring it into overtime?
Saturday: RPI's first win of the year at the Field House against who else but Clarkson! Easily our best played game so far. RPI was fighting to limit good opportunities by Clarkson, and the ones that Clarkson had, for the most part, our goaltender was able to stop. Likewise, on offense, we capitalized on our opportunities. The end result was a great game from an RPI prospective, and a bad game from a Clarkson prospective. Overall, Clarkson was the better team, but RPI fought to stay in it, and pulled out a solid victory!
Overall Thoughts: I missed Friday's game, but play both nights was significantly better then what has been at The Field House yet this year. It felt like the first time we actually had a shot in both games. I'll hand it to Lang, after last week's loss against Union in Troy, I thought the season is over. But whatever he did over the course of this week pumped some life into this team. Both games were far from perfect by RPI, but the big question is can we maintain this energy in conference or not?
Friday: Game as advertised. RPI looked like the better team, but SLU looked like they were out for Blood. Overall game felt balanced. Unfortunate result. Unfortunate the winning goal was an empty net goal. Too little success on offense too late, however the team looked like they were trying. Can't say I'm happy when we lost to SLU, but I am happy the engineers fought to the end. I have to wonder, if SLU didn't challenge the goal, could RPI have maintained that momentum to bring it into overtime?
Saturday: RPI's first win of the year at the Field House against who else but Clarkson! Easily our best played game so far. RPI was fighting to limit good opportunities by Clarkson, and the ones that Clarkson had, for the most part, our goaltender was able to stop. Likewise, on offense, we capitalized on our opportunities. The end result was a great game from an RPI prospective, and a bad game from a Clarkson prospective. Overall, Clarkson was the better team, but RPI fought to stay in it, and pulled out a solid victory!
Overall Thoughts: I missed Friday's game, but play both nights was significantly better then what has been at The Field House yet this year. It felt like the first time we actually had a shot in both games. I'll hand it to Lang, after last week's loss against Union in Troy, I thought the season is over. But whatever he did over the course of this week pumped some life into this team. Both games were far from perfect by RPI, but the big question is can we maintain this energy in conference or not?
RPI played their most solid game tonight. Offense, Defense and special teams were all clicking, and coaching didn’t fail them, unlike football. Maybe they figured stuff out today, maybe not, but I thought they looked equal to Clarkson after the first. If they play like that, it’ll be a fun season. If they play like last week at home against Union and like last night, it’s going to be a long season. Bruveris and Krawchuk both looked good this weekend.
Great win today! The team really needed it and, quite frankly, I really needed it. Friday night was arguably my lowest moment in 50 seasons of watching RPI hockey (as a local I attended my first game 2 years before I enrolled). It wasn't the game per se, although I thought it was an OK effort it wasn't what we needed, but rather seeing the pathetic "crowd" and sensing the moribund atmosphere. It looked like something right out of Meehan Auditorium, which I've long viewed as the place where hockey fandom goes to die. I've always felt the pride of RPI in HFH and in our student, alumni and Troy side fandom turnout on the road. Last night it seemed dead. Perhaps an excellent effort and win against a strong team and rival is just what we need to get things moving in the right direction. Let's Go Red!
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engineerhockeyfan
PUCKMAN RULES!!!
Great win last night.
Maybe this will give these guys a little confidence.
They were good for sixty minutes for the first time this season.
LGR
Maybe this will give these guys a little confidence.
They were good for sixty minutes for the first time this season.
LGR
Needed this win badly. Thankfully the officials were able to review and make the correct call on the Clarkson goalie interference in the first period. Not quite sure we would have developed the same confidence had that call gone against us (as so many have in the past). Even while we all celebrate a bit, there is a lot of work to be done. Clarkson missed some really good chances to score and put the puck just wide of several open nets. Encouraging though that we played a game without giving up a power play goal against and once again got credit for a short handed goal into the empty net at the end. We do not play in conference next weekend and play 2 Hockey East teams. A split or better next weekend could help our national ranking move up from the still dismal 59/65 but as we all know, our focus simply has to be mostly on the ECAC season games coming up.
Absolutely! Eric just needs time to get the program goingLiked the grit to come back Friday. Great win last night. Trust the process. Eric knows what he's doing.
Wicked Slappaahs
I miss Tie Domi
Having reviewed the comments on attendance, I need to remind folks that this is not an RPI centric issue. Certainly the prior regime led us to the depths we're at now, both on the ice and off, but times have changed. Union's new barn was only about 3/4 full for the "crosstown rivalry" game. Colgate's struggles to fill their barn are well documented. In my last several trips to the north country, SLU is barely half full and CCT is also not much above 1/2 full. Add in the near absence of anything resembling promotion for the RPI program, the attendance we're seeing is not a surprise. The casual fan is just not going to attend if there isn't a buzz with the team.
how can they get more people to go without wins is a great >? bribe students faculty alum local teamsGreat win today! The team really needed it and, quite frankly, I really needed it. Friday night was arguably my lowest moment in 50 seasons of watching RPI hockey (as a local I attended my first game 2 years before I enrolled). It wasn't the game per se, although I thought it was an OK effort it wasn't what we needed, but rather seeing the pathetic "crowd" and sensing the moribund atmosphere. It looked like something right out of Meehan Auditorium, which I've long viewed as the place where hockey fandom goes to die. I've always felt the pride of RPI in HFH and in our student, alumni and Troy side fandom turnout on the road. Last night it seemed dead. Perhaps an excellent effort and win against a strong team and rival is just what we need to get things moving in the right direction. Let's Go Red!
all starts with solid goaltending and i heard fridgen say it we got a win vs our top two rivalsThoughts on the two games this weekend:
Friday: Game as advertised. RPI looked like the better team, but SLU looked like they were out for Blood. Overall game felt balanced. Unfortunate result. Unfortunate the winning goal was an empty net goal. Too little success on offense too late, however the team looked like they were trying. Can't say I'm happy when we lost to SLU, but I am happy the engineers fought to the end. I have to wonder, if SLU didn't challenge the goal, could RPI have maintained that momentum to bring it into overtime?
Saturday: RPI's first win of the year at the Field House against who else but Clarkson! Easily our best played game so far. RPI was fighting to limit good opportunities by Clarkson, and the ones that Clarkson had, for the most part, our goaltender was able to stop. Likewise, on offense, we capitalized on our opportunities. The end result was a great game from an RPI prospective, and a bad game from a Clarkson prospective. Overall, Clarkson was the better team, but RPI fought to stay in it, and pulled out a solid victory!
Overall Thoughts: I missed Friday's game, but play both nights was significantly better then what has been at The Field House yet this year. It felt like the first time we actually had a shot in both games. I'll hand it to Lang, after last week's loss against Union in Troy, I thought the season is over. But whatever he did over the course of this week pumped some life into this team. Both games were far from perfect by RPI, but the big question is can we maintain this energy in conference or not?
True enough, but even buzz might not be enough. The weekend’s most shocking attendance figure wasn’t our Friday night total. It was the 1,960 at the Whale to see Yale’s upset of 5th-ranked Quinnipiac. That’s about 55% of capacity. While Yale has been terrible in recent years, spoiled Q fans apparently can’t be bothered any more to make the 8-10 mile drive down Whitney Ave.Having reviewed the comments on attendance, I need to remind folks that this is not an RPI centric issue. Certainly the prior regime led us to the depths we're at now, both on the ice and off, but times have changed. Union's new barn was only about 3/4 full for the "crosstown rivalry" game. Colgate's struggles to fill their barn are well documented. In my last several trips to the north country, SLU is barely half full and CCT is also not much above 1/2 full. Add in the near absence of anything resembling promotion for the RPI program, the attendance we're seeing is not a surprise. The casual fan is just not going to attend if there isn't a buzz with the team.
With so many choices for live and on-line entertainment even powerhouse schools have to work to get people to attend games (e.g. Alabama was offering promos to get students to football games and extra bonuses if they stayed for the 2nd half). However, I think the biggest shift has been the availability of broadcasts for all games. Even after graduating I maintained season tickets for a number of years and I would make the 140 mile drive for a half-dozen+ games per year (sold or gave other tickets away). In recent years it’s been a couple of games and this year I only have Freakout tix (in addition to at Yale and Q). I’ll watch as many of the other games as I can on TV, contributing further to attendance declines. It makes it much easier during rough games as I can do other things while the game is on. I’ve even reached the breaking point during a few truly awful games and just turned it off in complete frustration.
My point posted over the past few years exactly! Sure there are things that can be done so the live, in field house, experience ecomes more of a draw. But it is fighting a battle that never had to be fought in the years going way back. Broadcasted games make the difference for so many fans who just cannot justify the trip to the field house. Distance and inconvenience are valid excuses.True enough, but even buzz might not be enough. The weekend’s most shocking attendance figure wasn’t our Friday night total. It was the 1,960 at the Whale to see Yale’s upset of 5th-ranked Quinnipiac. That’s about 55% of capacity. While Yale has been terrible in recent years, spoiled Q fans apparently can’t be bothered any more to make the 8-10 mile drive down Whitney Ave.
With so many choices for live and on-line entertainment even powerhouse schools have to work to get people to attend games (e.g. Alabama was offering promos to get students to football games and extra bonuses if they stayed for the 2nd half). However, I think the biggest shift has been the availability of broadcasts for all games. Even after graduating I maintained season tickets for a number of years and I would make the 140 mile drive for a half-dozen+ games per year (sold or gave other tickets away). In recent years it’s been a couple of games and this year I only have Freakout tix (in addition to at Yale and Q). I’ll watch as many of the other games as I can on TV, contributing further to attendance declines. It makes it much easier during rough games as I can do other things while the game is on. I’ve even reached the breaking point during a few truly awful games and just turned it off in complete frustration.