Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

First thing to note about the band, and student section in general, is that right now they are between semesters. Not many students around at all, and (I assume) not many band members, either. At the men's game Friday night vs Michigan, 'the band' was no more than 20 or 30 or so members (? - I didn't look all that closely). Two weeks ago at the Friday Alabama-Huntsville game, I'm pretty sure 'the band' had a handful (or more) of alumni "townie" former band members mixed in to get their numbers up to the 20-30 level

More generally, while I'd love to have a band at the women's games, I find it hard to fault band members. If they're in the marching band, they start practice for football in 90 degree weather the 1st of August, and are still out there pretty much every day through the 20 degree weather of December. The 'pep' bands that show up at hockey games also cover basketball games (men certainly, women?), volleyball matches, etc etc etc. Certainly not all of them show up at all events, but that's a lot of time to commit to.

I know I've seen a few band members at women's games last year. A lot of them are hockey fans anyway. Yeah, it's more of a commitment when they're playing, but it's a big band, and the women's hockey pep band is smaller than men's basketball and hockey, more comparable to volleyball, where it's excellent. I think it's a good idea.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

From where we were sitting on the "student" end, I did notice Ryan on multiple times just taking that puck right out of the zone with authority. I thought in the 2nd and 3rd period Sunday UW was way less passive physically and with their sticks when defending their D zone upon entry by the sue.

I sure was hoping for more than 3-4 student this last weekend. Oh well.

The person in charge of the canned music needs to yield the floor to Phil when he's doing his thing. That's really annoying. Speaking of canned music, on Saturday I noticed some of it was rather un-inspirational to say the least.

I don't know why they can't send over a reduced sized band for the gal's games in general.

The speakers were buzzing and popping at the end of the game. There were multiple slip-ups in terms of playing canned music while something else is happening, and I remember at least once when the music started while the game was going on. It seems very inconsistent and random. Some worked well, some not so well. I've never liked the music they play as the ice is resurfaced during intermissioned, but at least I've heard a few songs I like this year. I still don't think we should be subjected to "I Love It" by Icona Pop more than once.

I was glad to hear more "old people" participating in "let's go red" chants on Sunday. Even when other students do show up, which is less likely for sold out games over winter break, they tend to just be scattered about. At volleyball games, students always gravitate towards the student section.

 

[Nowheresville]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

More generally, while I'd love to have a band at the women's games, I find it hard to fault band members. If they're in the marching band, they start practice for football in 90 degree weather the 1st of August, and are still out there pretty much every day through the 20 degree weather of December. The 'pep' bands that show up at hockey games also cover basketball games (men certainly, women?), volleyball matches, etc etc etc. Certainly not all of them show up at all events, but that's a lot of time to commit to.

Sorry, but I'm not buying that. When I first started going to womens games, in 06, there was a band there on a pretty regular basis. It wasn't every game, but you could count on them being there if there wasn't some other significant event going on.

Now they are never there. The only time there is even a chance of seeing a band is during Fill the Bowl, and perhaps an NCAA playoff game. I believe the only time there has been a band since the start of last season was the very first game at LaBahn. So what really has changed from the student schedules a few years ago where they are never available now? If they can't get a band together because of break, fine, but what about some of the games back in October? Of course, I suspect this is much more an issue with UW leadership than with the band students themselves.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

No matter whose fault it is, there is no good excuse for why the band is basically never there. Outside the inaugural game and then one (possibly both) first round WCHA playoff games, there hasn't been a band at any of the home games since LaBahn opened. Never mind what the football, men's basketball and men's hockey get for bands, what does the volleyball and women's basketball teams get? The women's hockey program should have the same. It's not like they are playing off-campus anymore in front of 200 people. Yet even then, there were the three guys with the drums.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

Sorry, but I'm not buying that. When I first started going to womens games, in 06, there was a band there on a pretty regular basis. It wasn't every game, but you could count on them being there if there wasn't some other significant event going on.

Now they are never there. The only time there is even a chance of seeing a band is during Fill the Bowl, and perhaps an NCAA playoff game. I believe the only time there has been a band since the start of last season was the very first game at LaBahn. So what really has changed from the student schedules a few years ago where they are never available now? If they can't get a band together because of break, fine, but what about some of the games back in October? Of course, I suspect this is much more an issue with UW leadership than with the band students themselves.

They've had a band at the WCHA playoff games for at least the last 2 years as well.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

They've had a band at the WCHA playoff games for at least the last 2 years as well.

You are correct. So if they can arrange for a decent size band to go out to the Verona Ice Arena miles off-campus (which was the playoff venue for several years), why can't they show up more at LaBahn?

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

You are correct. So if they can arrange for a decent size band to go out to the Verona Ice Arena miles off-campus (which was the playoff venue for several years), why can't they show up more at LaBahn?

I completely agree. Last year's WCHA playoff games were fun, because we had 1 student section with the band on one end, while our little group was in our usual spot on the opposite end, so the other goalie couldn't escape us.

 

[robertearle]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

Never mind what the football, men's basketball and men's hockey get for bands, what does the volleyball and women's basketball teams get?

Went to one single womens BB game three (?) years ago; no recollection as to whether there was a band. Went to one volleyball match this year, and one last year; both times there was a band.

(Would probably go to volleyball more often, but they frequently play Friday nights at the same time women's hockey is playing, and frequently both at home, meaning there'd have to be a band at LaBahn and at the Field House. I'll also point out that volleyball regularly draws crowds of 4000 or 5000 or 6000. That might well factor into whether one team gets a band and one doesn't.)

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

I completely agree. Last year's WCHA playoff games were fun, because we had 1 student section with the band on one end, while our little group was in our usual spot on the opposite end, so the other goalie couldn't escape us.

That was cool, we sat right by the band; it added a lot.

How hard is it for the person pushing "play", not to push "play" when a cheer is going on in between plays? I think the person pushing the "play" button doesn't have a clue and probably has never been to a hockey game on their own.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

(Would probably go to volleyball more often, but they frequently play Friday nights at the same time women's hockey is playing, and frequently both at home, meaning there'd have to be a band at LaBahn and at the Field House. I'll also point out that volleyball regularly draws crowds of 4000 or 5000 or 6000. That might well factor into whether one team gets a band and one doesn't.)

I guess I'd counter that by saying it was the UW itself that capped women's hockey crowd sizes at 2,200 with a scaled down LaBahn. Not saying they would be drawing volleyball crowds, but series like North Dakota, Minnesota and Duluth would draw very well. Plus, I can't believe that volleyball and women's hockey get scheduled against each other on campus. You'd think they would really try and avoid that.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

I guess I'd counter that by saying it was the UW itself that capped women's hockey crowd sizes at 2,200 with a scaled down LaBahn. Not saying they would be drawing volleyball crowds, but series like North Dakota, Minnesota and Duluth would draw very well. Plus, I can't believe that volleyball and women's hockey get scheduled against each other on campus. You'd think they would really try and avoid that.

There tends to be at least one conflict between the women's hockey and volleyball each season. This year there was only one, and I really do think they generally avoid conflicts, but if each team plays at 7:00 on a Friday, they're not going to bump one, as the combined attendance would suffer. I do remember in the 2011 season, before I was a regular at volleyball games, there was one weekend towards the end of the season with 2 games, each during the men's hockey series against Minnesota. For the most part, however, there are plenty of big volleyball matches you could attend that won't conflict with the hockey teams. I especially recommend going to the student night during the InnTowner Invitational. It always draws a big student section, and average crowds overall, and is well before hockey season starts. Even during mediocre seasons for volleyball while women's hockey was dominant (not that they aren't still dominant) at the Kohl Center, volleyball averaged larger crowds.

They really should figure out the whole music-during-Phil's-count thing. At the men's games, they cut to him on the big screen and shine a spotlight on him. (They also have a thing for HEY! man.) He's not treated like any ordinary fan, nor should he be.

 

[NMH]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

Cannot believe how few people there are in this wide shot from Minnesota tonight during the women's game.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BeOGSJiCQAAYNYs.jpg

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

Cannot believe how few people there are in this wide shot from Minnesota tonight during the women's game.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BeOGSJiCQAAYNYs.jpg

Of course, they're very spread out, and those people will be in the cold until the end of the men's game.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

Of course, they're very spread out, and those people will be in the cold until the end of the men's game.

Like hell I was.

 

[NMH]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

Of course, they're very spread out, and those people will be in the cold until the end of the men's game.

You mean like we were at Camp Randall?

Or like we were in Chicago last year when there were two games? (Though, to be fair, it was warmer at last year's hockey city classic)

I'm sorry, but that's a really, really sad showing.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

You mean like we were at Camp Randall?

Or like we were in Chicago last year when there were two games? (Though, to be fair, it was warmer at last year's hockey city classic)

I'm sorry, but that's a really, really sad showing.

Attendance 45000+. Using the widespread and commonplace ticket sales counting method I've been reading about today.

 

[Eeyore]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

You mean like we were at Camp Randall?

Or like we were in Chicago last year when there were two games? (Though, to be fair, it was warmer at last year's hockey city classic)

I'm sorry, but that's a really, really sad showing.

You're comparing a game that started during a work day to ones played on a Saturday and on a Sunday. Today's game was basically scheduled to fail.

 

[Nowheresville]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

That picture of TCF didn't look all that different from the Womens game at Camp Randall. The people who watched UW play BSU in 2010 were just as spread out, and would have been even moreso if the upper deck had been open. I know I had no trouble walking around the stadium trying (pretty unsuccessfully) to find a decent place to actually watch the game.

I also bet the womens crowd would have been much smaller at Madison if the temperature was fighting to stay above single digits, compared to the mid-20s that we saw at CR. If there is one things we've learned this year, Wisconsin sports fans won't even go to a Packers playoff game if the temps are in the single digits, so I can't imagine you would have got them to stay outside for a womens hockey game!

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2013-2014 Season

Solid 6-0 win, though they were outshot in the 2nd period but still put 4 up, then dominated the 3rd period.

I was shocked Rigsby was not in net. I thought she was close to playing last weekend. It must be internally frustrating for her to have to miss so many games a sr; the clock is ticking....

 

[ARM]

I was shocked Rigsby was not in net. I thought she was close to playing last weekend. It must be internally frustrating for her to have to miss so many games a sr; the clock is ticking....

As others said back in December, knee injuries can be tricky. She may have tweaked it again at some point, or it may have been worse than initially thought.

I'm trying to decipher what it means that Walters came in for the closing minutes. It could be that they know that Rigsby is just about back, and once she is, then Walters won't get any shot to play. The alternative is that Rigsby won't be back for a bit, and they want Walters to be prepared in case she is forced into a game as the backup. Usually, teams are reluctant to put in a backup for a few minutes when it costs the starter a shutout, so it is seldom just for the heck of it.