UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

[leswp1]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Les, please see comment above.

I think you will find that in interviews the players consider the fans an integral part of why they did so well. Matter of opinion I guess.

 

[bottomdweller]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

I think you will find that in interviews the players consider the fans an integral part of why they did so well. Matter of opinion I guess.

I understand that, and that's why I made the reference to Orono to what fans can do to the arena and the team... but that's at the arena, not on a message board (or sports talk radio which is where this gripe really comes from). I can only imagine what the team felt when they heard the Tsongas erupt when Riley tied the game against NU and then Folin won it in OT.

I guess basically the biggest part that bothers me (and this doesn't apply to Pat or 90% of the Lowell posters on here, because we've all been here for a long time and have seen some really bad seasons), is when fans consider themselves part of the team when the team is winning and doing well, but do a complete 180 when the team isn't. The "we" stops in commentary once things goes south.

Again, it was mainly just a rant, and Pat's post hit a nerve with the "win one for the gipper" motivational cliche which is why that got quoted.

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

So in response to the last couple of posts ... that's why I said a) that the team can get respect by winning and b) why I said a few weeks ago that what we say on the boards, doesn't affect the team in the least tiniest bit. The fans (ie us) talking about the regionals is just fine. The players are the ones that need to focus on one-game-at-a-time.

Now ... back to the discussion.

Is it Friday yet? I'm trying to see if I can find out the # of seats per section, but I'd have to think Lowell will have at least 2,000 fans...

 

[leswp1]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

So in response to the last couple of posts ... that's why I said a) that the team can get respect by winning and b) why I said a few weeks ago that what we say on the boards, doesn't affect the team in the least tiniest bit. The fans (ie us) talking about the regionals is just fine. The players are the ones that need to focus on one-game-at-a-time.

Now ... back to the discussion.

Is it Friday yet? I'm trying to see if I can find out the # of seats per section, but I'd have to think Lowell will have at least 2,000 fans...

I was wondering the same thing. I think there will be others who pop up that don't have tix yet. Nice. Brings me back to the 94 season The only thing we are missing is the culture of having coordinated chants. I miss those. We used to have them and the clap thing but clapping man left and the only thing we chant is U-M-L and Lets go Lowell. Some creativity would help.

 

[CleggyofUML]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Unfortunately it isn't Friday yet. Only Wednesday and apparently even more snow in between us and Friday.

From what I can tell, yeah Lowell's got at least 2K fans there. Plus the other ones who will be sitting elsewhere.

Not sure if I'll end up going to the Harp (being underage at a bar isn't exactly the most fun thing to happen) but if I will, I'll make sure to say hi to everyone here.

 

[UMLKLB]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

And I understand that, and I think how much you root for Lowell is great. I'm just stating one of my personal pet peeves of people referring to a team they root for as "we." There is nothing that we as fans are going to do leading up to a game that is going to affect the outcome. We're not going to be going through drills all week, watching film, etc. I think there is something to be said about the atmosphere the fans create at a game and how that can have a positive effect on the home team (look at Orono sans the past 3 or 4 years).

I think my reaction would have been different if you had said something like, if Lowell wants to get the respect they think they deserve, they need to go get it by winning the HE tourney, making a frozen 4 etc. Fans acting like they are part of the team bothers me because come the end of the day, we'll be there next year for another season, but for Riley Wetmore and Colin Wright, this is their last tourney, their one and only time at the Garden. They are the ones who have put the last 17 years into getting where they are today. They appreciate the support, I appreciate the support the Lowell fan base provides the team. I remember when there would be 2000 people at the Tsongas and we thought that was a great showing.

So to your last point, my intent wasn't to squabble within the fan base, it was to vent out my annoyance of this. If there is solid hockey talk going on and people disagree, great, I love debates, but (and I'm beating a dead horse here), what do comments like "respect isn't earned, it's taken" add to the discussion when it comes to the fans? If you were Norm saying that to the team, I'd think that be great because the team is being disrespected in the media.

So I'll leave you with this Pat. I appreciate your enthusiasm and passion for the team/program/school. I just do not understand the "we" attitude and it's like I said earlier, we as fans haven't worked our whole lives to get to this point in these player's lives.

I respectively disagree. I am perfectly okay with some people saying “we” if it is warranted. Being an alumni of the school and someone who has represented the school as a student, as a professional, as a fan, and as a financial supporter, we are a part of this school and contribute to its success on and off the ice. Donations to the school, filling the seats, and even buying a beer at the game pumps money into the program to indirectly bring these players in/pay for the facilities.

I am not saying we have a direct impact on the outcome of the game, at all. However, since "we" are a part of the school, "we" are certainly warranted to say “we”.

There are many former players that do exactly what we do know (from a supporting the program perspective) Does it bother you when they say “we”, even though they are not playing?

A local supporter of the team who never went to the school is a different story, but if you are proud enough to have it on your resume and are still actively involved, than i am okay with it.

 

[boblav1]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Not sure if I'll end up going to the Harp (being underage at a bar isn't exactly the most fun thing to happen) but if I will, I'll make sure to say hi to everyone here.

The pre game party at the Harp should be a fun time. I'm sure there will be plenty of underage folks and families there. Hopefully the place is big enough to handle the crowd.

 

[UMLWeatherman]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

"Code Blue
UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin is asking all fans to wear BLUE this weekend in a show of solidarity for the River Hawks as they via for their first-ever Hockey East Championship"

Not that it will change my jersey choice for the weekend, but being the higher ranked team are we in the home whites or does Bazin get the choice?

 

[Go-UML]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

I respectively disagree. I am perfectly okay with some people saying “we” if it is warranted. Being an alumni of the school and someone who has represented the school as a student, as a professional, as a fan, and as a financial supporter, we are a part of this school and contribute to its success on and off the ice. Donations to the school, filling the seats, and even buying a beer at the game pumps money into the program to indirectly bring these players in/pay for the facilities.

I am not saying we have a direct impact on the outcome of the game, at all. However, since "we" are a part of the school, "we" are certainly warranted to say “we”.

There are many former players that do exactly what we do know (from a supporting the program perspective) Does it bother you when they say “we”, even though they are not playing?

A local supporter of the team who never went to the school is a different story, but if you are proud enough to have it on your resume and are still actively involved, than i am okay with it.

Well said. I say 'we', don't lace 'em up, and will continue to say 'we' and if someone is peeved, I'll still sleep at night. Waiting for Friday.

 

[Patman]

The pre game party at the Harp should be a fun time. I'm sure there will be plenty of underage folks and families there. Hopefully the place is big enough to handle the crowd.

Yeah, it'll just be "can't buy anything for Cleggy"... Whose username sadly reminds me of dartmouth's most awesome mascot.

 

[HawksSk860]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Gotta take it one game at a time.

Always give 110%

Win one for the Gipper

They have to stay focused

There's no "I" in team.

Any other cliches you want to just throw around to get you prepped for the game(s) you're suiting up for this weekend?

Just saying my biggest pet peeve is when fans refer to themselves as being part of the team, and needing to act as if they are on the team (and that's where the cliches come in). Sit back, enjoy the run this team is on, but none of us are going to be putting on a Lowell sweater and playing at the Garden this weekend. Does Lowell not being recognized as one of the best hockey teams in the country this year get annoying, sure, but Lowell isn't a perenial powerhouse so until that happens, the media is going to get skeptical. Is the disrespect going to make you cheer louder? Probably not. Regardless of the matchup in the early game this week, any game going up against BC/BU, especially this time with Parker retiring and York out with another eye problem, was going to be brushed off to the side.

So with that said, I am just going to sit back this weekend, hope for 2 W's and a New England placement for regionals.

The team isn't merely comprised of invididual players, but is an institution. We, the fans, are part of that institution.

 

[UMLWeatherman]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Yeah, it'll just be "can't buy anything for Cleggy"... Whose username sadly reminds me of dartmouth's most awesome mascot.

Isn't just buy it for yourself and put it on a table and just "walk away"

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Isn't just buy it for yourself and put it on a table and just "walk away"

Kinda what I do at Revs tailgates. "So, my cooler is over there ... it's got a lot of good stuff in it ... and I'm going to take a walk over thatttttttttttaway..."

 

[PaulG]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

"Code Blue
UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin is asking all fans to wear BLUE this weekend in a show of solidarity for the River Hawks as they via for their first-ever Hockey East Championship"

Not that it will change my jersey choice for the weekend, but being the higher ranked team are we in the home whites or does Bazin get the choice?

I hope we're in home whites! But, I'll be wearing blue.

 

[MaryK]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Not that it will change my jersey choice for the weekend, but being the higher ranked team are we in the home whites or does Bazin get the choice?

I was told that we are in the home whites as we are the higher seeded team.

 

[CleggyofUML]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Yeah, it'll just be "can't buy anything for Cleggy"... Whose username sadly reminds me of dartmouth's most awesome mascot.

Well Cleggy has been my nickname for about 13 years so it sticks well.
And I'm cool without the drinks. I'm the one who drives my group to the games anyways.
I'll try to stop by, I'll probably be in my normal gear, a black thermal with a Code Blue shirt above it. I'm getting a jersey for next season thankfully.

 

[Patman]

Well Cleggy has been my nickname for about 13 years so it sticks well.
And I'm cool without the drinks. I'm the one who drives my group to the games anyways.
I'll try to stop by, I'll probably be in my normal gear, a black thermal with a Code Blue shirt above it. I'm getting a jersey for next season thankfully.

I was making a passing reference to Keggy the Keg. And, yes, time to upgrade to a jersey

 

[UMLKLB]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

Picked up my tickets today for the weekend. Section 21, row 5.

If anyone likes sitting close and has a higher row, i would be willing to trade.

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

HE Tournament gives a chance to look at the past and future of HE coaching.

 

[hawkeytown]

Re: UMass Lowell '12/'13 Season Thread III

I respectively disagree. I am perfectly okay with some people saying “we” if it is warranted. Being an alumni of the school and someone who has represented the school as a student, as a professional, as a fan, and as a financial supporter, we are a part of this school and contribute to its success on and off the ice. Donations to the school, filling the seats, and even buying a beer at the game pumps money into the program to indirectly bring these players in/pay for the facilities.

I am not saying we have a direct impact on the outcome of the game, at all. However, since "we" are a part of the school, "we" are certainly warranted to say “we”.

There are many former players that do exactly what we do know (from a supporting the program perspective) Does it bother you when they say “we”, even though they are not playing?

A local supporter of the team who never went to the school is a different story, but if you are proud enough to have it on your resume and are still actively involved, than i am okay with it.

This is the perfect post, and agree 100%. I contribute the same ways mentioned above, and feel part of the team.
I may not have a stick, helmet and skates... but I have jerseys, hats and sweatshirts that I wear proudly. To take it a little further I have adopted fans to be part of the UML hockey community (my wife, and her family). Each has purchased tickets, food/drink and merchandise from UML hockey. They LOVE IT! They feel part of the team too because:
-they know how much it means to me
-they enjoy the experience at games
-they see a great team to root for

To me, folks outside of the school who embrace this team are equals to students, alum and faculty. Those folks help fill the arena, cheer and support the team… so they are definitely part of the overall program. People will disagree, and that’s fine. Just remember without them, we don’t sell out, we don’t improve attendance and we don’t have a data to back up that we can fill seats for the garden and regionals. This only helps us.

Each player and coach has one another to play for, and we help fuel that passion. Any and all support fuels postive energy and outcome.