Re: SNC Regular Season 2009-10
I too am a first time poster, just like the previous. I have to say I have watched this board and enjoyed the level of respect and knowledge that is posted on here. You're all great fans of the program and the game and your opinions are valued by even those who have not posted here, like myself and the previous.
Like the post before mine I have had many conversations with Tim Bald regarding the program and the participation of the fans and students. Even prior to other avenues which I am involved with in the program at this time. I suggested a move of the visiting fans from next to the visiting tunnel (why would you want the visiting fans to energize their guys before and after each period?). A little background on Tim is he comes to SNC from the UW Madison, a location where school officials have battled with students to "clean-up" certain levels of disrespect for years. That being said Tim is very proud, and protective if you will, of the image that is put forth by the SNC faithfull at each game. There have been past situations with students who have been asked to leave the rink in years past, due to their verbal conduct from the student section, those students were presented with the opportunity to return to the rink if they would in turn observe the action and respond to it in a respectful manner. Mr. Bald never said to not be boisterous or supportive of the team on the ice, but only to do so in a way that would not involve profanity or personal attacks on a visiting player or fan(s). The fact is, as stated in the prior post, the students are not going to do this on their own. They have tried, there was even a small group of students in the past who worked hand-in-hand with Tim Bald to try and increase student involvement.
There is also some level of division between the hockey program and other athletic programs from a player standpoint. Some of the other student athletes do not have "warm fuzzy" feelings about some of the hockey players, this same thing can be said for some students, mainly female. Lets be fair, hockey players have some stereotypes, I myself experienced that in my playing days.
I'm sure all of us here on this board have seen the participation from students of other NCHA institutions and we can become frustrated, or maybe even jealous to a certain level, that we dont have that at SNC or the CCC on game nights. This season two small steps forward were taken with the pep band and a fan van dubbed "the knight rider" (name from a prior effort as well). The fan van was only given to the students for two games due to funding, and the pep band was a huge hit but had limitations as to how many games they could attend due to prior commitments (which is what we were told).
If we want this enviroment we need to create it, hand in hand with the students. I would be more than willing to take part in this for sure. I do have obligations on gamedays but I would love to see the atmosphere turn for the better for the players. The fans can make a difference in a game, even if it's a small difference.
