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UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Season?
- Thread starter Chuck Murray
- Start date
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Anyone know how FOWH has operated since BlueSkyz disbanded the real organization some years ago?
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Zoofer... if you’re listening....
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
Wow … take a couple of days off, and even in the offseason, you can miss a lot of stuff.
Sad to read about the apparent demise of the Men's FoH … when this program was at its best, there was a lot to be had through the FoH, and a lot of dedicated UNH hockey fans running the show. It seems to have slid backwards a little bit in recent seasons, not unlike the program they've supported. Can't say I'm all that surprised to see BS35+8 swooping in when they're down, and with Coach Umile out of the way, going for the kill shot. A fairly similar pattern played out almost the same way with FoWH and the departure of Coach McCloskey. I was given a lot of insight into the situation at the time (on the condition of confidentiality) by a lot of well-intentioned people, and it was eye-opening (and disappointing), to say the least. I'll leave it at that, unless others are comfortable chiming in to flesh out the further details that were shared with me confidentially.
Things seem to be repeating themselves on the Men's side. Not surprising, the same guy is in charge, and timing-wise I find it fascinating that both instances occurred when long-time, old-guard coaches had just left the program, to be replaced by young coaches without the pull to defend long-standing FoH organizations.
As far as end-of-season awards go, no big deal, but it occurs to me that *maybe* the recipients of these awards should enjoy a brief moment of public recognition for their efforts, rather than just slapping their name on the trophy/plaque and letting some bypassing fans on the concourse discover it by chance sometime next season. If this is the "new way" at UNH, it's regrettable.
JMHO.
Wow … take a couple of days off, and even in the offseason, you can miss a lot of stuff.
Sad to read about the apparent demise of the Men's FoH … when this program was at its best, there was a lot to be had through the FoH, and a lot of dedicated UNH hockey fans running the show. It seems to have slid backwards a little bit in recent seasons, not unlike the program they've supported. Can't say I'm all that surprised to see BS35+8 swooping in when they're down, and with Coach Umile out of the way, going for the kill shot. A fairly similar pattern played out almost the same way with FoWH and the departure of Coach McCloskey. I was given a lot of insight into the situation at the time (on the condition of confidentiality) by a lot of well-intentioned people, and it was eye-opening (and disappointing), to say the least. I'll leave it at that, unless others are comfortable chiming in to flesh out the further details that were shared with me confidentially.
Things seem to be repeating themselves on the Men's side. Not surprising, the same guy is in charge, and timing-wise I find it fascinating that both instances occurred when long-time, old-guard coaches had just left the program, to be replaced by young coaches without the pull to defend long-standing FoH organizations.
As far as end-of-season awards go, no big deal, but it occurs to me that *maybe* the recipients of these awards should enjoy a brief moment of public recognition for their efforts, rather than just slapping their name on the trophy/plaque and letting some bypassing fans on the concourse discover it by chance sometime next season. If this is the "new way" at UNH, it's regrettable.
JMHO.
After the Whistle
Active member
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
Chuck, this appears a bit heavy on the FOH folks. I not sure that they went backwards as much as the fan base has gone backwards. As attendance fell, so did the audience and the overall passion of the crowds. I felt that we were on a collective rebuild this year in terms of attendance and general good will. I certainly hope that something that feels good to them can be salvaged. First off the FOH appear to have lost their ability to sell merchandise, what 5/6 years ago. Understand that it was probably viewed as a competition with the schools sales agreements etc. The 50/50 just goes along with the crowd, size and passion. The second half of this year, they were putting up some very strong 50/50 numbers. The addition of the student with the mic has helped across the board.
And finally, fans want to know who on their team is being recognized and this years presentation was an embarrassment and lacked the recognition that they deserved. For folks sitting in the first 5 rows, you can't hear the public PA guy at all. The glass just blocks it out. They could ask us to claim our million dollar prize and it would go unclaimed.
Chuck, this appears a bit heavy on the FOH folks. I not sure that they went backwards as much as the fan base has gone backwards. As attendance fell, so did the audience and the overall passion of the crowds. I felt that we were on a collective rebuild this year in terms of attendance and general good will. I certainly hope that something that feels good to them can be salvaged. First off the FOH appear to have lost their ability to sell merchandise, what 5/6 years ago. Understand that it was probably viewed as a competition with the schools sales agreements etc. The 50/50 just goes along with the crowd, size and passion. The second half of this year, they were putting up some very strong 50/50 numbers. The addition of the student with the mic has helped across the board.
And finally, fans want to know who on their team is being recognized and this years presentation was an embarrassment and lacked the recognition that they deserved. For folks sitting in the first 5 rows, you can't hear the public PA guy at all. The glass just blocks it out. They could ask us to claim our million dollar prize and it would go unclaimed.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
ATW having been in the org for a little while I would echo your sentiments that at least from my perspectives FOH has been a viable group providing tremendous monetary and fan support to the team. Maybe in UNh’s big years things were different, but just from what I can see it’s pretty substantial what they have provided. Things like: sscholarships, meals during winter break, upgrades to the locker room, summer session funds just to name a few.
ATW having been in the org for a little while I would echo your sentiments that at least from my perspectives FOH has been a viable group providing tremendous monetary and fan support to the team. Maybe in UNh’s big years things were different, but just from what I can see it’s pretty substantial what they have provided. Things like: sscholarships, meals during winter break, upgrades to the locker room, summer session funds just to name a few.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
Just a quick note, ATW - I think you've taken some of my comments as being directed at FoH instead of the school/its AD, etc. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the volunteers with FoH - Men's or Women's (formerly). It bothers me - a lot - that something which used to be run by folks outside the program is basically being eliminated, so yet another piece of what used to be a great program with lots of grass-roots support out in the community comes under the direct influence of you-know-who.
Given the state of so-called higher education these days, I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed.
Just a quick note, ATW - I think you've taken some of my comments as being directed at FoH instead of the school/its AD, etc. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the volunteers with FoH - Men's or Women's (formerly). It bothers me - a lot - that something which used to be run by folks outside the program is basically being eliminated, so yet another piece of what used to be a great program with lots of grass-roots support out in the community comes under the direct influence of you-know-who.
Given the state of so-called higher education these days, I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed.
Darius
Go 'cats!
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
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The big picture here is control (not a bad word) and compliance. I didn't hear about the FOH semester break team feed this year so maybe it is also a thing of the past. I also no longer hear of players being invited for meals in fans' homes. The bottom line is that a group of largely independent team supporters with a pile of cash mingling with student athletes for meals, post game meetings, etc. outside the control of the U is a compliance nightmare. My insight, gossip based with no confidentiality condition, has had me wondering for a while about the future of FOH. I am encouraged by what I am hearing.
Yes. For 5+ years the U has been undergoing a P-Hudd initiative to consolidate functions and strategically align missions and communications. There have been growing pains, but the end results have been extremely positive.
A significant change was the replacement of the hand torn paper tickets with ticket printing machines. These are shared by all the friends groups and ultimately controlled by UNH employees. For the most part the machines are much simpler to use vs. sellers tearing tickets. The HUGE plus is tracking and reporting sales with an audit trail. 50/50 cannot exist without FOH volunteer sellers.
Would love to hear Greg's thoughts on the org he joined 40+ years ago not operating in the same manner going forward.
My understanding is that the golf tournament is by far the FOH's biggest fund raiser. It also fosters good will between fans, former players, the business community, former and current staff. It is hard to imagine the tournament going away. See below for my post game meetings comment.
For the past year or two, clicking the "Join" button on the Friends site was redirecting to the UNH Advancement giving page. It currently takes you to a page displaying "Information about membership for the 2019-20 season will be announced at a later date".
Why not?
No reason this has to end. If asked by the NCAA, the U needs to be able to say where the money came from and where it went.
Change = demise?
Oliver Stone is on it.
The FOH gave it up. Started because merchandise was not easily available, it was never a big money maker. With so many purchasing options now available, it was a service FOH no longer needed to provide.
Agreed, sort of. I never attended the banquet so I read about the awards, usually on this board, after the fact. I spent a few minutes looking for the 2018-19 awards on line with no luck. At a minimum there should be a story on unhwildcats.com. A better produced Senior Night production incorporating the video board would be ideal, but it would add time to the pregame presentations so the ceremony would have to begin earlier than it already does meaning even fewer fans in the building.
>>>
The big picture here is control (not a bad word) and compliance. I didn't hear about the FOH semester break team feed this year so maybe it is also a thing of the past. I also no longer hear of players being invited for meals in fans' homes. The bottom line is that a group of largely independent team supporters with a pile of cash mingling with student athletes for meals, post game meetings, etc. outside the control of the U is a compliance nightmare. My insight, gossip based with no confidentiality condition, has had me wondering for a while about the future of FOH. I am encouraged by what I am hearing.
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
Darius I appreciate your perspective as someone who understands the compliance factors etc. And I guess it really doesn’t matter if we little people get any notification of sorts now does it? Esp if you aren’t a big money donor. Anyway...is what it is just think the communication on both sides could have been better...oh and As far as the 50/50 going to a new system that’s fine my comment was more directed to who would be administering it.
Darius I appreciate your perspective as someone who understands the compliance factors etc. And I guess it really doesn’t matter if we little people get any notification of sorts now does it? Esp if you aren’t a big money donor. Anyway...is what it is just think the communication on both sides could have been better...oh and As far as the 50/50 going to a new system that’s fine my comment was more directed to who would be administering it.
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Greg Ambrose
Registered User
Ref, the Friends hosting the banquet goes back to 1979, just after UNH’s second appearance in the NCAA Final Four in Detroit. The banquet was at the Dover Elks. I went to some very memorable banquets back in the day when each senior was given a UNH Captain’s chair. Witnessed many a big tough guy balling his eyes out that his four years had gone by in a flash.
As far as I have been told, the athletic department has basically disbanded the FOH which, IMHO is a disgrace. It’s ancient history now but, if not for the Friends, you could argue that UNH would not have fielded a competitive Division 1 team back in the seventies. Support from the athletic department was luke warm at best. If it wasn’t for some committed fans who had a love for the game and an affinity for Charlie Holt, things would have fallen part. Scoreboards, plexiglass throughout the rink, a renovated locker room, a weight room . . . all those improvements at Snively? None of this would have happened without the Friends.
The biggest money raiser for the Friends was the annual golf tournament. This was an idea which began with Coach Holt and a few others and, in a few short years, became the premier fundraising golf tournament in the Seacoast. In recent years, the fact that the Friends ran it was not even worth a mention in the local press.
I know all about NCAA restrictions on booster clubs because of the goings on that occur in big time football and basketball. Our Friends group is collateral damage. I just wish there was recognition by the University that the fans deserve to have a voice, even if it is limited to discussions similar to the ones we have here. Shutting out the fans, particularly the season ticket holders, is something the athletic department is doing at their own peril. Like I said, a disgrace.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
Hmmm, wonder if Mike Babcock wishes that he still had JvR on one of his PP units tonight?
And, wonder if the B's have any regrets for shipping Ryan Donato out of town for Charlie Coyle, yet?
Hmmm, wonder if Mike Babcock wishes that he still had JvR on one of his PP units tonight?
And, wonder if the B's have any regrets for shipping Ryan Donato out of town for Charlie Coyle, yet?
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Could not agree more with your comments Greg. There are a ton of hard feelings out there right now; I hope the program doesn’t suffer from this. So much of the draw for my husband and I for joining FOH was the social aspects of being members and knowing we were doing our part (albeit small as far as money went).
We had a place to go after games to talk UNH hockey and meet other like minded fans. A chance to meet our coaches and players. Sure there are other avenues to do these things but it won’t be the same. Just losing that aspect I wonder how many will open their wallets?
Will be interesting to see what the fallout is from all of this and hope that something similar will be in place for the future.
TvR did not help much on that first Caps goal.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
Neither did Pesce or Foegel, all get -1
Neither did Pesce or Foegel, all get -1
Nice assist by Pesce on Aho's SHG!
Third longest postseason game 7 ever.
And, first time that all top seeds knocked out in first round?
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Darius
Go 'cats!
Re: UNH Wildcats 2019 Offseason - How Much Progress Did We Really Make This Past Seas
Men’s Hockey Announces Team Awards: https://unhwildcats.com/news/2019/4...rR-FVHGxeMkYVbk347bdxn1F3udxY6ME3PqEXo3jWPDyY
Men’s Hockey Announces Team Awards: https://unhwildcats.com/news/2019/4...rR-FVHGxeMkYVbk347bdxn1F3udxY6ME3PqEXo3jWPDyY
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