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Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

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Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Twitch Boy said:
Do share.
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It really isn't much. Basically I said that I understand the difficulties of being a head coach at Tech, but was still disappointed in the way the last two seasons have gone. If you want to read the whole thing, here you go...



March 21, 2010

Coach Russell,

I’m sure that this isn’t the first time you’ve received one of these letters or e-mails, but naturally I am writing to you to discuss the state of the Michigan Tech hockey program. I’m not a major donor (in fact, I’m currently unemployed), and there isn’t a whole lot that I can do personally to improve the program, other than to continue cheering on the team. I’m not expecting a reply to this letter, and I don’t know if you will even receive it, but I’m fine with that.

First, a bit of background; I have followed the program since the 2006-2007 season, and in August 2009 I became a proud Michigan Tech alum. Unlike some of the program’s most faithful season ticket holders, my four years as a fan pale in comparison to their decades of loyalty. I have no personal recollection of the “glory years”, but I’ve heard plenty of stories. As someone who has never actually played the game at an organized level, I’ve spent more time brushing up on hockey rules, knowledge, and history in the past four years than I probably should have.

How and why did I become a fan? Two years as a member of the WCHA’s best pep band will do that to some people. So will roadtrips, among which I can count visits to NMU (twice), St. Cloud (twice), Minnesota, and Lake Superior. So far, the team has gone 1-6-2 when I’m in hostile territory, but the experience of cheering for the Huskies on the road is completely different. I know that the team really appreciates the underrated road following that they get, and memories of literally taking over places like the Berry and the Taffy Abel with a handful (or more!) of my fellow students won’t ever be forgotten.

I don’t have to tell you that even the diehard group of fans who have long supported your efforts to right the ship are disappointed in the team’s results over the past two seasons. We’re aware of the excess of injuries, the large freshmen classes, and the losses of two key recruits (and we know you haven’t used these facts as excuses in front of the team). We understand the difficulties of recruiting for and running the WCHA’s most poorly funded program, but frankly we’re all growing just a little bit tired of parroting them to your detractors.

We’re looking down US-41 to Marquette, and an NMU program that has managed three straight trips to the CCHA Final Four and now an NCAA appearance. They’ve achieved this despite having an even smaller hockey budget and (in my opinion) lesser facilities to work with. Though we’d sooner lose our right arms than cheer for the Mildcats, it’s still painful to witness. We’re looking across Lake Superior to a small school in northern Minnesota called Bemidji State who has earned some significant wins, two NCAA appearances, and a trip to the Frozen Four in the past two seasons, despite playing in a weak and soon-to-be-defunct conference with vastly inferior facilities.

We’re thinking, “If they can do it, why can’t we?”

As fans of this storied team, we deserve better than we’ve received lately. We want our opponents to fear their trips to the MacInnes again, instead of seeing us as a four-point bye weekend. We’d like to host some WCHA playoff games in Houghton and maybe even bring the MacNaughton Cup back to its rightful home someday. We expect to see not only the pep band at the Final Five, but the team as well. We’d hope to see them contending for NCAA bids, making the tournament, and giving us something to cheer for at Frozen Fours. When we attend the GLI every December, we shouldn’t have to hear countless predictions of a Michigan vs. Michigan State championship game. We shouldn’t have to take anywhere near as much grief from the Wal-Mart Wolverines and Save-a-Lot Spartans of the world as we often do. We should see our school’s name hanging below that banner at the Joe Louis Arena as much as possible.

Lest you think that I’m attacking your work ethic or coaching ability, let me make it clear that I am not. It would be ridiculous for someone who is merely a fan and an occasional drop-in hack to do so. There is no question that you have tried – the fans know that the coaching staff and the team desire deep playoff runs, titles, and hardware as much as we do. Nevertheless, I am becoming concerned that your best efforts have, for the most part, not translated into results. The program has still managed just two winning seasons in the past twenty eight campaigns. It has still been 29 years since our last NCAA appearance, and 30 years since our last GLI championship.

Regardless of how the 2010-2011 season goes, I know that I will continue to follow the team and college hockey in general. It’s been a bumpy ride on the Tech bandwagon, but I’m not about to jump off anytime soon. That said, it’d be awfully nice to be able to talk sports with friends and not get sympathetic remarks, or have to joke about my team being the Toronto Maple Leafs of NCAA hockey.

If you’re still reading at this point, I thank you for taking the time to do so. I know that there are some potentially strong recruits coming down the pike. Please, give us something to cheer about next year!


Sievely Yours,

Tim Kotula
BS Business Administration ‘09
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Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

mtu_huskies said:
Nice letter, why not just email Jamie. He'll get it and probably respond.
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A actual letter sent by snail mail says ALOT more. A lot more likely to be read if someone actually took the time to mail an actual envelope than just type out a letter and hit send
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

mtu_huskies said:
Nice letter, why not just email Jamie. He'll get it and probably respond.
Click to expand...

Ordinarily I would, but despite basically growing up with the Internet (my parents took the plunge in 1995) and attempting to start a career in the technology field, I've always felt that letters are more personal.

I'm fairly certain he'll get it, since I included "Office of Jamie Russell" in the address.

EDIT: TCM beat me to it. :)
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

So I confirmed that Gopher home weekend is Nov. 19th/20th but I also found out something else. Our first UNO road game is a THURSDAY/Friday affair Dec. 9th and 10th. Weird stuff, eh? This sort of ruins any chance of bringing a good group of USCHO Tech alums down for the series. I was hoping to show them what Tech fans were like.
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Yager said:
So I confirmed that Gopher home weekend is Nov. 19th/20th but I also found out something else. Our first UNO road game is a THURSDAY/Friday affair Dec. 9th and 10th. Weird stuff, eh? This sort of ruins any chance of bringing a good group of USCHO Tech alums down for the series. I was hoping to show them what Tech fans were like.
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I'm pretty sure they already know you're irritating arseholes, Yager.
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Yager said:
So I confirmed that Gopher home weekend is Nov. 19th/20th but I also found out something else. Our first UNO road game is a THURSDAY/Friday affair Dec. 9th and 10th. Weird stuff, eh? This sort of ruins any chance of bringing a good group of USCHO Tech alums down for the series. I was hoping to show them what Tech fans were like.
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So this is what I've recorded so far then...

10/2/2010 Canadian School (ex)
10/8/2010 at Northern Michigan (nc)
10/9/2010 at Lake Superior State (nc)
10/15/2010 St. Lawrence (nc)
10/16/2010 St. Lawrence (nc)


11/12/2010 at Minnesota-Duluth
11/13/2010 at Minnesota-Duluth
11/19/2010 Minnesota
11/20/2010 Minnesota


12/9/2010 at Nebraska-Omaha
12/10/2010 at Nebraska-Omaha
12/17/2010 Northern Michigan
12/18/2010 at Northern Michigan (could be moved for attendance again)
12/28/2010 vs. Michigan
12/29/2010 vs. Michigan State/BC
1/7/2011 at St. Cloud State
1/8/2011 at St. Cloud State


2/11/2011 Bemidji State (Carny)
2/12/2011 Bemidji State (Carny)


3/4/2011 North Dakota
3/5/2011 North Dakota


The dates of the SLU series are just a guess, but I heard it had been confirmed for a weekend in October.
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Yager said:
So I confirmed that Gopher home weekend is Nov. 19th/20th but I also found out something else. Our first UNO road game is a THURSDAY/Friday affair Dec. 9th and 10th. Weird stuff, eh? This sort of ruins any chance of bringing a good group of USCHO Tech alums down for the series. I was hoping to show them what Tech fans were like.
Click to expand...
There is probably a Creighton basketball game on that Saturday. :rolleyes:
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
So this is what I've recorded so far then...

10/2/2010 Canadian School (ex)
10/8/2010 at Northern Michigan (nc)
10/9/2010 at Lake Superior State (nc)
10/15/2010 St. Lawrence (nc)
10/16/2010 St. Lawrence (nc)


11/12/2010 at Minnesota-Duluth
11/13/2010 at Minnesota-Duluth
11/19/2010 Minnesota
11/20/2010 Minnesota


12/9/2010 at Nebraska-Omaha
12/10/2010 at Nebraska-Omaha
12/17/2010 Northern Michigan
12/18/2010 at Northern Michigan (could be moved for attendance again)
12/28/2010 vs. Michigan
12/29/2010 vs. Michigan State/BC
1/7/2011 at St. Cloud State
1/8/2011 at St. Cloud State


2/11/2011 Bemidji State (Carny)
2/12/2011 Bemidji State (Carny)


3/4/2011 North Dakota
3/5/2011 North Dakota


The dates of the SLU series are just a guess, but I heard it had been confirmed for a weekend in October.
Click to expand...
You left out the home series against UMD, 1/21-22. I don't know about the SLU series, there are potentially 3 weekends they could play that are in October. And both schools are trying to avoid the Christmas break NMU/Tech series so both games hopefully will be changed, not just the one.
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Yager said:
Team Rankings (out of 58 teams):
54th in RPI 48 in KRACH
Goals per game - 55th (2.06 per game)
Goals against per game - 58th (4.11 per game)
Scoring margin - 58th (-2.06 per game)
Penalty minutes - 7th (17.8 per game)
Power play - 48th (15.7%)
Penalty kill - 58th (71.8)
Combined special teams - 53rd
Winning % - 58th (15.3%)
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I knew the numbers would not be pretty but I'm shocked to see how bad they actually are on paper. However with that being said, I think the 09-10 Huskies could have beaten at least 20 teams in D-I hockey if the schedule included one game against every team. The numbers might say one thing, but I don't think there is anyone in the country that would agree that Tech was one of the four worst teams in the country like the numbers show. (Of course UAH is in the NCAAs and Tech is not...)

Ryan J

In other news, I found the following being auctioned on Ebay. Just goes to show you can find ANYTHING on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Anti-U...QptZUS_CSA_MC_Shirts?var=&hash=item800ec5d2a3
!BpEwvbQ!mk~$(KGrHqIH-EIEuYPO7U19BLp4eI2r5!~~_12.JPG
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Didn't work real well for the Bulldogs, or anyone for that matter, this weekend.
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Dirty said:
Didn't work real well for the Bulldogs, or anyone for that matter, this weekend.
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It was nice to see that Chay was able to get one of those expensive motorized wheelchairs that he can opperate by blowing into the straw. The only question now is: How well does it do in 17 feet of water?
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

bigblue_dl said:
It was nice to see that Chay was able to get one of those expensive motorized wheelchairs that he can opperate by blowing into the straw. The only question now is: How well does it do in 17 feet of water?
Click to expand...

You mean like that old geezer that you and Shirtless met in St. Louis had?
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
It really isn't much. Basically I said that I understand the difficulties of being a head coach at Tech, but was still disappointed in the way the last two seasons have gone. If you want to read the whole thing, here you go...
Click to expand...
Excellent letter, very well written! You have eloquently captured the thoughts and concerns of many of us. A big "Well Done You" for taking the time to compose it and mail it.

If Russell's response is something other than, "I'm not satisfied either. We're excited about the new recruits, we'll be working hard this summer...", we'll know everything we need to know...
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

Burnt Orange Husky said:
Excellent letter, very well written! You have eloquently captured the thoughts and concerns of many of us. A big "Well Done You" for taking the time to compose it and mail it.

If Russell's response is something other than, "I'm not satisfied either. We're excited about the new recruits, we'll be working hard this summer...", we'll know everything we need to know...
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Words are confusing. I miss the days when you just threw a brick though a window if you are dissatisfied.
 
Re: Sweet Release: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread Part I

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
His job is to run the university. It's Suzanne's job to run our athletic department.
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Raising money is the most important job of a university president, from the state legislature, industry and alumni donations. Successful college sports programs generate excitement and pride among the alumni and motivate them to make donations and buy licensed apparel. It's sad to think that the hockey program has become such a liability for Pres. Mroz that when talking with us alumni, he won't even mention it unless asked.

I appreciate your letter to Coach Russell and I encourage you to mail a copy to Suzanne and Pres. Mroz. It would be interesting to compare their responses...
 
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