Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

I'm going to go against the grain a bit on the student section ticket system. My time as a student was back in the late 80's/early 90's. I found waiting in line a big pain in the butt in order to get 2 tickets all the way up in the rafters (though they were center ice). In addition, some of my friends didn't want season tickets but just go to a few games here and there. If they could get tickets, they probably weren't going to be near me. Voucher system would have solved that issue.

I guess I'm having a hard time railing against a system that offers tickets at $7/game and the best seats can be had by just getting to the game a little earlier.

 

[Almington]

I'm going to go against the grain a bit on the student section ticket system. My time as a student was back in the late 80's/early 90's. I found waiting in line a big pain in the butt in order to get 2 tickets all the way up in the rafters (though they were center ice). In addition, some of my friends didn't want season tickets but just go to a few games here and there. If they could get tickets, they probably weren't going to be near me. Voucher system would have solved that issue.

I guess I'm having a hard time railing against a system that offers tickets at $7/game and the best seats can be had by just getting to the game a little earlier.

Don't get me wrong, for the MAJORITY of students, the GA system is a better ticket option, the loss of the line removed a major bonding opportunity for the top 5% (or so) of fans to build a rapport and help them actually lead the students. It was also an opportunity to indoctrinate new fans to the specific hockey culture.

 

[The Hallucination]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

I believe the idea of the Alumni section came one of the UW posters here, "The Hallucination"...but I could be mistaken.

Yeah, I'm glad those *****holes in the athletic department finally did it, as I did email the suggestion in when I was graduating... but a *little* bitter that it's been more than a few years and we wouldn't be able to sit with the alumni section as it's structured now. Maybe others gave them similar suggestions, since they finally did it.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

I can't speak for how it was before the current system, as it was well before my time. That said, I want to bring up a few things.

I'm going to go against the grain a bit on the student section ticket system. My time as a student was back in the late 80's/early 90's. I found waiting in line a big pain in the butt in order to get 2 tickets all the way up in the rafters (though they were center ice). In addition, some of my friends didn't want season tickets but just go to a few games here and there. If they could get tickets, they probably weren't going to be near me. Voucher system would have solved that issue.

I guess I'm having a hard time railing against a system that offers tickets at $7/game and the best seats can be had by just getting to the game a little earlier.

This is a biggie. Coming into my freshman year, I knew nobody. Even if the hockey line was a few weeks into the school year, it's still a pretty short time. With the voucher system, you can go with various combinations of people. Also, it makes introducing people to Badger hockey way easier. If someone who isn't a season ticket holder is considering going to a game, they'd be much more likely to come with me than go to a seat next to people they probably don't know. I really love introducing people to UW hockey and spreading the enthusiasm for it. Want to add one more to your group? They get their hands on any student voucher, and they can join! Get to know some other fans mid-season and go to the game together? Why not be in the same place?

Don't get me wrong, for the MAJORITY of students, the GA system is a better ticket option, the loss of the line removed a major bonding opportunity for the top 5% (or so) of fans to build a rapport and help them actually lead the students. It was also an opportunity to indoctrinate new fans to the specific hockey culture.

I met a bunch of fans in that "top 5% or so" this past season. Show up early, request section 115, and I'm in a similar spot each game. There are faces I recognize only from those games, and what I remember seems similar to what you guys have been talking about with regards to the old system.

 

[GBBadger14]

Show up early, request section 115, and I'm in a similar spot each game. There are faces I recognize only from those games, and what I remember seems similar to what you guys have been talking about with regards to the old system.

Sorry to go slightly off topic, but is getting 115 that simple? I had never thought of just requesting it. Do they give it to you every time you ask?

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

Sorry to go slightly off topic, but is getting 115 that simple? I had never thought of just requesting it. Do they give it to you every time you ask?

Yup. Just one time, the ticket-giver (I don't know their official title) didn't want to do it (she seemed to just be getting used to the system), but other than that, it's been fine. The more organized ticket-givers will have their tickets in several piles on the little table, so it's not any trouble for them to just pick up that stack and give your group your tickets. It may take an extra 5-10 seconds if they're holding the tickets all in one stack and they weren't already on your requested section, but they'll be happy to oblige. "Hi, can we get [# in group] in 155, please?" does the trick.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

I suppose they must hear it a fair amount.

 

[GBBadger14]

Yup. Just one time, the ticket-giver (I don't know their official title) didn't want to do it (she seemed to just be getting used to the system), but other than that, it's been fine. The more organized ticket-givers will have their tickets in several piles on the little table, so it's not any trouble for them to just pick up that stack and give your group your tickets. It may take an extra 5-10 seconds if they're holding the tickets all in one stack and they weren't already on your requested section, but they'll be happy to oblige. "Hi, can we get [# in group] in 155, please?" does the trick.

Thanks, I'll definitely have to start doing that.

 

[markwojo]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

When do captains skates happen? I always like hearing some of the observations from folks that might happen to be around a rink and catch a portion (although maybe with LaBahn arena.... having common folk run across a semi organized team skate will be less likely).

 

[GBBadger14]

Interesting quote from Delaney about B1G hockey in the last two paragraphs of this article...

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9551849/big-ten-jim-delany-praises-penn-state-nittany-lions-progress

(Sorry, don't know how to activate the link.)

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

"I think our championship will grow, and I think you'll see that growth pretty immediately," Delany said. "I'm very bullish on hockey."

Very intriguing.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

Haven't seen it mentioned here, but Morgan Zulinick is officially listed as a redshirt freshman now. Can't remember how much I've said here in the past, but this was expected given that he probably could have played late last season.

The surprise is that UWBadgers.com is listing Chase Drake as a redshirt junior. Drake did not play at all as a freshman, and by rule would be eligible to count that as a redshirt season. This is very important news for the Badgers, given that they were looking at replacing Simonelli, Faust, Drake, Hartzog and (most likely) McCabe all in the same recruiting cycle. They've got some talented kids lined up (Linhart, Tischke, Ford & potentially Berkovitz), but only having to bring in 3-4 d-men instead of 4-5 if much better.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

Haven't seen it mentioned here, but Morgan Zulinick is officially listed as a redshirt freshman now. Can't remember how much I've said here in the past, but this was expected given that he probably could have played late last season.

The surprise is that UWBadgers.com is listing Chase Drake as a redshirt junior. Drake did not play at all as a freshman, and by rule would be eligible to count that as a redshirt season. This is very important news for the Badgers, given that they were looking at replacing Simonelli, Faust, Drake, Hartzog and (most likely) McCabe all in the same recruiting cycle. They've got some talented kids lined up (Linhart, Tischke, Ford & potentially Berkovitz), but only having to bring in 3-4 d-men instead of 4-5 if much better.

Good news! With all the seniors and potential early departures in the same year, a little buffer is good.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

Andy Baggot quantified the season ticket decline recently, which I had not seen before. In 2006, UW sold 13093 season tickets, in 2011 they sold 11422, this year they have sold 7958. I didn't realize the numbers were declining since 2006, I thought it was mostly after the 2010 ncaa run, so the ADP (Athletic Dept) has seen this slowly withering and waited until this year to do something about it, which hasn't amounted to much.

Baggot mentioned style of play and lack of success as two reasons why this is happening, but I think those 2 can be linked to players leaving early, injuries and misses in recruiting. At the end of last year, the team was anything but boring, because they were winning. They were winning because other than Zulinick they were healthy and players were pretty much playing up to their potential. Also on the concept of style of play, to most fans that is not discernible. People have latched onto that idea as a cause, but they would not be able to point it out watching film. A team can be boring to watch when you have guys hurt, missing guys who leave early and some recruits who have not panned out.

I think a wildly successful season will season ticket sales wonders next year. At this point there is no reason why a wildly successful season is not going to happen.

So what are we fans expecting for this season? I'm looking for a single digit loss season. That would put UW in contention for the B6 title and an ncaa title.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

A

I think a wildly successful season will season ticket sales wonders next year. At this point there is no reason why a wildly successful season is not going to happen.

I doubt very much that it will rebound with just one good season. It took many years of a slow bleed to get us to this point.

As others have said, many have probably filled that void with other activities and interests. I don't think too many are sitting at home with check in hand waiting for a winning team. I'm sure that I'll never again be a Friday season ticket holder as I have moved on.

Might have been much easier to retain what they had instead of now trying to rebuild or get back what has been lost.

I think it will take a long time to get the attendance back to what it was - if it ever gets there again.

 

[Bonin21]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

this year they have sold 7958.

7,958 for both nights combined? Like someone with tickets to both nights counts as two?

 

[bucky15]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

Andy Baggot quantified the season ticket decline recently, which I had not seen before. In 2006, UW sold 13093 season tickets, in 2011 they sold 11422, this year they have sold 7958. I didn't realize the numbers were declining since 2006, I thought it was mostly after the 2010 ncaa run, so the ADP (Athletic Dept) has seen this slowly withering and waited until this year to do something about it, which hasn't amounted to much.

Baggot mentioned style of play and lack of success as two reasons why this is happening, but I think those 2 can be linked to players leaving early, injuries and misses in recruiting. At the end of last year, the team was anything but boring, because they were winning. They were winning because other than Zulinick they were healthy and players were pretty much playing up to their potential. Also on the concept of style of play, to most fans that is not discernible. People have latched onto that idea as a cause, but they would not be able to point it out watching film. A team can be boring to watch when you have guys hurt, missing guys who leave early and some recruits who have not panned out.

I think a wildly successful season will season ticket sales wonders next year. At this point there is no reason why a wildly successful season is not going to happen.

So what are we fans expecting for this season? I'm looking for a single digit loss season. That would put UW in contention for the B6 title and an ncaa title.

Are you honestly saying you think this team is going to end up with a single digit in the loss column? Just want to make sure I am reading that correctly.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

Andy Baggot quantified the season ticket decline recently, which I had not seen before. In 2006, UW sold 13093 season tickets, in 2011 they sold 11422, this year they have sold 7958. I didn't realize the numbers were declining since 2006, I thought it was mostly after the 2010 ncaa run, so the ADP (Athletic Dept) has seen this slowly withering and waited until this year to do something about it, which hasn't amounted to much.

Baggot mentioned style of play and lack of success as two reasons why this is happening, but I think those 2 can be linked to players leaving early, injuries and misses in recruiting. At the end of last year, the team was anything but boring, because they were winning. They were winning because other than Zulinick they were healthy and players were pretty much playing up to their potential. Also on the concept of style of play, to most fans that is not discernible. People have latched onto that idea as a cause, but they would not be able to point it out watching film. A team can be boring to watch when you have guys hurt, missing guys who leave early and some recruits who have not panned out.

I think a wildly successful season will season ticket sales wonders next year. At this point there is no reason why a wildly successful season is not going to happen.

So what are we fans expecting for this season? I'm looking for a single digit loss season. That would put UW in contention for the B6 title and an ncaa title.

I'm optimistic for the new season but not single-digit loss optimistic, though I REALLY hope you are correct!

w/regard to style of play I tend to disagree, at least as far as I'm concerned.
last summer I busted out some VHS tapes to transfer to dvd, watching UW come back from like 6-2 down to Nodak around 1998 or 1999, and watching the 1990 and 1992 teams the style is so night and day it's pretty incredible. Many of the departing fans are people who saw that run n' gun brand of UW hockey. It was exciting as hell when winning and until they stopped getting talent in Madison under Sauer the 3-2 losses to mn were just as exciting because they were going toe to toe all night playing almost pond hockey.

With the defensive style they have now even winning can look and seem painful and I have no doubt it's been a real and not just perceived turn-off to some old-time fans.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

If I never have to hear about attendance or style of play again, I'll die a happy man.

 

[burd]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC

I'm optimistic for the new season but not single-digit loss optimistic, though I REALLY hope you are correct!

w/regard to style of play I tend to disagree, at least as far as I'm concerned.
last summer I busted out some VHS tapes to transfer to dvd, watching UW come back from like 6-2 down to Nodak around 1998 or 1999, and watching the 1990 and 1992 teams the style is so night and day it's pretty incredible. Many of the departing fans are people who saw that run n' gun brand of UW hockey. It was exciting as hell when winning and until they stopped getting talent in Madison under Sauer the 3-2 losses to mn were just as exciting because they were going toe to toe all night playing almost pond hockey.

With the defensive style they have now even winning can look and seem painful and I have no doubt it's been a real and not just perceived turn-off to some old-time fans.

Feel free to burn the 6-2 comeback.