RPI 22-23: Objective needs to be top 6

[hab]

I stand by my observation that RPI may be dealing with the same issues as Harvard, sans a Boston Globe article and winning program. "Old school" coaches have got to go, across the board. The women's game has evolved and times have changed.

Fair enough. I have watched almost every minute of every RPI game this year and watch most of the interviews (I know, I am guilty of being a fanatic). I have followed this team and women's college hockey for more than 20 years. However, I have never met any of the current coaches or players and am not here to attack or defend any of them. I just like to watch good hockey and this team provides that opportunity every weekend. IMO, it is unquestionable that this team has continued to develop throughout the year, win or lose, even while playing without two of their best: Erbenova and Christof.

I also have to say that over those 20 years, plus the previous 10 or so years that my daughter played minor hockey, I have grown tired of the "fire the coach" chant that comes (usually from parents of players) whenever the team is losing or their "star" daughter is not getting star ice time. There have been cases in college hockey of clear abuse by coaches (sometimes even physical abuse) that was covered up or not addressed as it should have been. But some fail to distinguish between those cases and the very much more common circumstance where a coach is just demanding and direct with regard to his/her expectations of players. In my experience, players are much more accepting of this than are their parents. Some may call that "old school" but if there is evidence of clear abuse it needs to be identified and dealt with.

Every college sports team should have an anonymous survey of players at least once a year, focusing on these issues. If it doesn't exist at RPI, it should. The rumor mill, including this forum, is not the best place. Young women (and men, for that matter) need to be able to play sports in a safe and supportive environment.

 

[Skate79]

Every college sports team should have an anonymous survey of players at least once a year, focusing on these issues. If it doesn't exist at RPI, it should. The rumor mill, including this forum, is not the best place. Young women (and men, for that matter) need to be able to play sports in a safe and supportive environment.

Harvard did a survey of its athletes, male and female. The women's hockey program ranked dead last. The survey responses articulated much of what formed the basis of Bob Hohler's article in the Boston Globe. Even with anonymity, it's hard to suppress what the administration now wishes would go away forever.

 

[hab]

Two really strong road games this weekend for the Engineers, but a 2-1 loss to QU and a 4-3 OT loss to PU means they no longer have a hope of making the playoffs. They are 6 point behind Harvard with 2 games left, so could tie them in the standings but then would lose out in the tie-break rule, as they have a tie and loss vs Harvard this year. Home games against Cornell and Colgate next weekend to end the season.

 

[hab]

Nothing to see here...this has been happening all season: https://twitter.com/i/status/1624513917467742213.

 

[MAHOCKEY FAN]

I know girls that have played for both the RPI and Harvard coaches. Whereas the RPI coach may need to go as he has not performed I have never heard the stories that I have heard from Harvard players and have read in the recent article.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Skate79 If you read through this thread, sounds like RPI might be dealing with similar issues, sans a winning program and a Boston Globe article.

That's an irresponsible and unfair comparison to make based on what's been written on this thread and without any other evidence. RPI has indeed been a very poor team record-wise, but the comments here are questioning whether the team's deficiencies are based on poor tactical coaching or poor recruiting. Nobody has accused the coach of being abusive towards the players.

 

[Skate79]

I know girls that have played for both the RPI and Harvard coaches. Whereas the RPI coach may need to go as he has not performed I have never heard the stories that I have heard from Harvard players and have read in the recent article.

That's because the Harvard women are afraid of speaking out for fear of retribution. There have been more revelations since the article was published and the news is gruesome to say the least. It is hard to see Coach Stone surviving this debacle especially with the way the team is playing right now.

 

[hab]

The Seniors' game (tomorrow) is always emotional for the team. But this year in particular it is important to pay tribute to an incredible senior class at RPI. They came in as freshmen and experienced the most dismal (winless) season in RPI history. And then they had to live with the lockdown year, not only unable to play but (at RPI) unable to practice. But they stuck with the program, improved, and then became leaders. By the end of their senior year they were leading a team that can compete with any team in the strongest conference in Div 1.

 

[rpi82]

The Seniors' game (tomorrow) is always emotional for the team. But this year in particular it is important to pay tribute to an incredible senior class at RPI. They came in as freshmen and experienced the most dismal (winless) season in RPI history. And then they had to live with the lockdown year, not only unable to play but (at RPI) unable to practice. But they stuck with the program, improved, and then became leaders. By the end of their senior year they were leading a team that can compete with any team in the strongest conference in Div 1.

The good news is that several of those seniors, including Wagner (who actually transferred in after the Covid year0 and Rampado, will be returning for grad school. If they are also playing hockey (4th year for Rampado and due to the Covid waiver for Wagner), that's the best news the program has gotten in some time.

 

[hab]

The good news is that several of those seniors, including Wagner (who actually transferred in after the Covid year0 and Rampado, will be returning for grad school. If they are also playing hockey (4th year for Rampado and due to the Covid waiver for Wagner), that's the best news the program has gotten in some time.

That is great news! Also returning are two defencemen who finished the year looking really strong: Zahirnyi and Alexander. All four are pursuing Masters degrees in areas where RPI is strong at the graduate studies level: Biomechanical Eng (Rampado); Systems Eng (Alexander); Business Analytics (Zahirnyi); and MBA (Wagner).

 

[sezenack]

Ended the year on a 6 game losing streak. Vines going out (hopefully) with a bang

 

[hab]

Ended the year on a 6 game losing streak. Vines going out (hopefully) with a bang

Disappointing end, but the team clearly improved significantly as the season went on. First half of the conference schedule 5 1/2 points; second half 11 points. I also saw significant development of most of the players, and considerable improvement in the way the team moved the puck at both ends of the rink.

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Ended the year on a 6 game losing streak. Vines going out (hopefully) with a bang

What's your gig Sez? You scold posters for being negative on the men's thread, then you post this garbage here??? Don't you have a class to go to?

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Disappointing end, but the team clearly improved significantly as the season went on. First half of the conference schedule 5 1/2 points; second half 11 points. I also saw significant development of most of the players, and considerable improvement in the way the team moved the puck at both ends of the rink.

+1

 

[sezenack]

What's your gig Sez? You scold posters for being negative on the men's thread, then you post this garbage here??? Don't you have a class to go to?

I graduated last year. Trust me, I only post a fraction of the garbage I've heard about Vines from those involved. I echo everything said by LeafsFor20 in a previous post. But you are correct, I shouldn't just post negativity. They for sure got better as the season went along. My apologies

In terms of results though, Vines has ONE season with more than 10 wins, one of the worst seasons in NCAA Women's Hockey HISTORY in 19-20, and ZERO winning seasons. Their best season included one of the best goalies in the world putting up a .940+ save percentage, and they still couldn't crack a winning season because of the offense being so atrocious with 1.3 goals per game.

If the men's team had shown a similar lack of results or promise, I can assure you that I would have the same position.

In light of your good point about positivity, I am very pleased that we will be returning Rampado, Wagner, Zahirni and Alexander. That experience from players in important roles should be a big boost. I also look forward to seeing Erbenova and Christof healthy and with more development. I still believe the Jahnke sisters have a lot of potential.

 

[LeafsFor20]

I would really like to know, who is really watching this team. The program under Mr. Vines is poorly coached, lacking in any offensive structure and defensively rests their hopes on the outstanding Amanda Rampado throwing a shutout against their pathetic 1 goal per game. The team is only competitive due to Rampado who should be a serious contender for goalie of the year!

Not only is the team poorly coached and lacking in a sound tactics but the recruiting is suffering, players are not coming to RPI as the program has a very poor reputation among the junior ranks. All you have to do is attend the games and you will hear about how recruits do not want to come to RPI because of the "loser" environment and horrible coaching. Mr. Vines has had 5 plus years to get something done and he has failed with flying colors.

Do not kid yourselves, just because its not on the front page of the Times Union this team has been subjected to an environment of high levels of verbal abuse and negativity by Mr. Vines. Many of the players have suffered emotionally with little support or protection from our school. These are not accusations but known facts amongst the people and players associated with this program. We are all proud to be alumni and would like believe our school is acting in the best interest of the student athletes, but clearly this is a big failure by the administration.

Mr. Schmidt needs to take immediate action and move this program in a new direction.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

this team has been subjected to an environment of high levels of verbal abuse and negativity by Mr. Vines. Many of the players have suffered emotionally with little support or protection from our school. These are not accusations but known facts amongst the people and players associated with this program. We are all proud to be alumni and would like believe our school is acting in the best interest of the student athletes, but clearly this is a big failure by the administration.

If you are aware of something inappropriate going on, then you should report it to the school administration through formal channels so it can be properly investigated. Students also have many avenues to report concerns.

 

[sk8tronthepond]

If you are aware of something inappropriate going on, then you should report it to the school administration through formal channels so it can be properly investigated. Students also have many avenues to report concerns.

I agree. Too much reading on the Harvard women's thread perhaps??? If things were so terrible, Rampado, Wagner, Zahirni, and Alexander would be moving on.

 

[Cornholio]

I don't think anyone has even hinted that there is abuses, hazing or anything like that in the program. Some people have said the coaches can't communicate well to the players, others have said the systems are not good, others have said the recruiting is not good and others have said RPI is not a place where a lot of women players want to go. All good discussions. Everyone agrees the goalies are way above average and the team can't score.

 

[rpi82]

If you are aware of something inappropriate going on, then you should report it to the school administration through formal channels so it can be properly investigated. Students also have many avenues to report concerns.

I have expressed my disagreement with the AD at various times, but I know he takes program relationships and culture seriously. He holds year end meetings with team members and the results have a significant impact on coaching decisions. With several top contributors, who would have transfer options in the portal, choosing to return it seems questionable to me that there is that much strife behind the scenes. However, if there is, I'm confident that feedback from the team would be taken seriously because it has in the past.