IndianaBadger1995
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Well hopefully Petey can handle this series if Rumpel isn't able to make it.
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Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
- Thread starter ExileOnDaytonStreet
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Well hopefully Petey can handle this series if Rumpel isn't able to make it.
XYZ
Smoking in the selection room.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
Which, to be fair, is an important part of the job. But from an operational standpoint...he doesn't do much.
Well, he schmoozes. That's something.
Which, to be fair, is an important part of the job. But from an operational standpoint...he doesn't do much.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
Bucky's 5th Quarter is seeking basketball, recruiting writers...Oh, and an individual skilled in the Photoshop, too.
Paging Gurtholfin...
Bucky's 5th Quarter is seeking basketball, recruiting writers...Oh, and an individual skilled in the Photoshop, too.
Paging Gurtholfin...
G
Gurtholfin
Guest
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
Somehow, I'm thinking they're looking for something a little different than my stuff.
Somehow, I'm thinking they're looking for something a little different than my stuff.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
I am pleased as well. Thanks.
I am pleased as well. Thanks.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
Thanks Gurt for checking with Charter about FSW. I agree about Barry and probably misspoke - I don't think BA is trying to destroy hockey, just don't think cares; it's just a budget line to him - and you're probably right that some underling is in charge of hockey...if I'm not mistaken, there is a new hockey underling (the old one left to be the AD at another school) and this new person seems to know less about hockey tradition that his/her predecessor. The TV thing burns my but but I can see it from a money standpoint both ways - and you're right about Barry...never saw $$ he didn't like. So maybe it's a rights thing with the Big Ten.
Barry also likes success and the whole banner fiasco at the KC boggles my mind the more I think about it. You want to use the KC as a recruiting tool for his beloved football program and of course hockey and BBall. Whoever thought a 17 year old would be more impressed with a drab white empty ceiling than with championship banners that say success...."come to Wisconsin..we're successful" really doesn't know what they are doing, especially with the empty seat issue.
Thanks Gurt for checking with Charter about FSW. I agree about Barry and probably misspoke - I don't think BA is trying to destroy hockey, just don't think cares; it's just a budget line to him - and you're probably right that some underling is in charge of hockey...if I'm not mistaken, there is a new hockey underling (the old one left to be the AD at another school) and this new person seems to know less about hockey tradition that his/her predecessor. The TV thing burns my but but I can see it from a money standpoint both ways - and you're right about Barry...never saw $$ he didn't like. So maybe it's a rights thing with the Big Ten.
Barry also likes success and the whole banner fiasco at the KC boggles my mind the more I think about it. You want to use the KC as a recruiting tool for his beloved football program and of course hockey and BBall. Whoever thought a 17 year old would be more impressed with a drab white empty ceiling than with championship banners that say success...."come to Wisconsin..we're successful" really doesn't know what they are doing, especially with the empty seat issue.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
This pleases me. Thanks Chuck.
This pleases me. Thanks Chuck.
EasternBadger
New member
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
Apologies if this is stating the obvious, but for anyone who didn't know, the Wisconsin Channel can be streamed online here: http://wpt.org/watch/watch-wisconsin-channel-online
Apologies if this is stating the obvious, but for anyone who didn't know, the Wisconsin Channel can be streamed online here: http://wpt.org/watch/watch-wisconsin-channel-online
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
At the Kohl Center for the glorified layup lines vs UW-Platteville, no banners whatsoever, except one that says "Wisconsin" and one that says "B1G." Not even basketball ones.
At the Kohl Center for the glorified layup lines vs UW-Platteville, no banners whatsoever, except one that says "Wisconsin" and one that says "B1G." Not even basketball ones.
WiscTJK
Well-known member
And nothing on the upper ring either.
solovsfett
Registered User
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
You know I'd call Cerniglia again and Barry (since their numbers are readily available and I posted them previously) but they just don't care. And I'm honestly getting to a point where...well, I must admit I just don't care as much anymore and for many, many reasons, but a big one is the outright apathy of the UW Athletic Department towards Hockey and ESPECIALLY Hockey fans.
For the first time ever I'm going to admit dropping season hockey tickets for Saturday night (that we've had since 1984) may be in the offing. Rest assured if I do end up dropping them I'll make sure they know why.
You know I'd call Cerniglia again and Barry (since their numbers are readily available and I posted them previously) but they just don't care. And I'm honestly getting to a point where...well, I must admit I just don't care as much anymore and for many, many reasons, but a big one is the outright apathy of the UW Athletic Department towards Hockey and ESPECIALLY Hockey fans.
For the first time ever I'm going to admit dropping season hockey tickets for Saturday night (that we've had since 1984) may be in the offing. Rest assured if I do end up dropping them I'll make sure they know why.
Badger Booster
Registered User
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
After all the abuse the athletic department took after the opening series and then three weeks to fix the issue, I just cannot believe that there won't be something in place by Friday night to properly recognize the men's hockey program's championships. If not, they will fully deserve the second round of criticism that is coming their way.
It can't be that hard. Just look over at LaBahn Arena. The four NCAA title banners centered with banners for WCHA titles, NCAA Frozen Four and NCAA Tournament appearances on each side. Simple, yet says it all.
After all the abuse the athletic department took after the opening series and then three weeks to fix the issue, I just cannot believe that there won't be something in place by Friday night to properly recognize the men's hockey program's championships. If not, they will fully deserve the second round of criticism that is coming their way.
It can't be that hard. Just look over at LaBahn Arena. The four NCAA title banners centered with banners for WCHA titles, NCAA Frozen Four and NCAA Tournament appearances on each side. Simple, yet says it all.
XYZ
Smoking in the selection room.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
Where's Duplo at these days? That guy is really, really good.
Somehow, I'm thinking they're looking for something a little different than my stuff.
Where's Duplo at these days? That guy is really, really good.
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Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
So what is the take away to all of this about the mens hockey program.
Have to say that Mike Eaves may be the reason the program interest has seriously waned. The atheltic departments apatheic approach to hockey closely follows as a reason.
Hockey competes with football and basketball with the same fan base. Football and basketball are higly promoted to include Lucas and Lepay and almost every game is on TV. Unless Brian Posick has some time on the air at WIBA, hockey is rarely mentioned. Living in the Madison area Andy Baggot and the local rags dont say much about hockey. This morning the WSJ sports section, not a word about the game tomorror or Rumpel. Its every other sport. Mike Eaves has to promote the sport outside of the UW AD to make it it work in the state. He has not. I was sitting at a football game lately. A mens hockey upcoming game was mentioned and people behind me laughed.
Style of play has a lot to do with fan support. The cost of going to games has as well. I would suggest that until Mike Eaves leaves the program Mens Hockey will not win back the fans they have lost. There is no urgency to promote it. I thought that if the team would not have have finished strong last season Eaves would have been gone. I think now the only way would be for him to choose to move on. He is a good man and a sound couch that prepares players well for the next level. It does not work in Madison right now as far as interest goes.
I really have no other answer. I love Badger Hockey and will always. I am sad to see that it has slipped so far with this fan base.
So what is the take away to all of this about the mens hockey program.
Have to say that Mike Eaves may be the reason the program interest has seriously waned. The atheltic departments apatheic approach to hockey closely follows as a reason.
Hockey competes with football and basketball with the same fan base. Football and basketball are higly promoted to include Lucas and Lepay and almost every game is on TV. Unless Brian Posick has some time on the air at WIBA, hockey is rarely mentioned. Living in the Madison area Andy Baggot and the local rags dont say much about hockey. This morning the WSJ sports section, not a word about the game tomorror or Rumpel. Its every other sport. Mike Eaves has to promote the sport outside of the UW AD to make it it work in the state. He has not. I was sitting at a football game lately. A mens hockey upcoming game was mentioned and people behind me laughed.
Style of play has a lot to do with fan support. The cost of going to games has as well. I would suggest that until Mike Eaves leaves the program Mens Hockey will not win back the fans they have lost. There is no urgency to promote it. I thought that if the team would not have have finished strong last season Eaves would have been gone. I think now the only way would be for him to choose to move on. He is a good man and a sound couch that prepares players well for the next level. It does not work in Madison right now as far as interest goes.
I really have no other answer. I love Badger Hockey and will always. I am sad to see that it has slipped so far with this fan base.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
To me the style of play reasoning is overstated. It's not style of play...it's results. I doubt many have an issues with "style of play" in '06 or '10 when Eaves had the horses and there were pucks going into nets and wins being racked up. The problem has been...in between those couple peaks, the valleys have been pretty low. The rollercoaster ride of good/talented/veteran teams every 3rd or 4th year being relevant on the national scene followed by a couple years of inexperienced/mediocre teams is not going to capture the imagination of casual hockey fans which is who you need to fill the Kohl. Unfortunately, prior to Eaves....the last decade of the Barney regime wasn't much better as far as the frequency of nationally relavent teams being iced.
Now 2 decades into being pretty good every third or 4th year and not so much the rest of the time, an entire generation has been lost to bouncyball and footyball fandom where the programs have been a bit more sucessful then they had been prior to that. When the hockey program was what it was in the 70's and 80's (and football and basketball were what they were at that time), the pecking order of the programs were different then today in terms of casual fan, administration, and even television interest.
To me the style of play reasoning is overstated. It's not style of play...it's results. I doubt many have an issues with "style of play" in '06 or '10 when Eaves had the horses and there were pucks going into nets and wins being racked up. The problem has been...in between those couple peaks, the valleys have been pretty low. The rollercoaster ride of good/talented/veteran teams every 3rd or 4th year being relevant on the national scene followed by a couple years of inexperienced/mediocre teams is not going to capture the imagination of casual hockey fans which is who you need to fill the Kohl. Unfortunately, prior to Eaves....the last decade of the Barney regime wasn't much better as far as the frequency of nationally relavent teams being iced.
Now 2 decades into being pretty good every third or 4th year and not so much the rest of the time, an entire generation has been lost to bouncyball and footyball fandom where the programs have been a bit more sucessful then they had been prior to that. When the hockey program was what it was in the 70's and 80's (and football and basketball were what they were at that time), the pecking order of the programs were different then today in terms of casual fan, administration, and even television interest.
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Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
If I had to pick the 2 biggest factors in fan interest, I would say they are winning and media coverage. I wish Lucas and Lepay would talk more hockey, especially since I know Mike Lucas is big on Badger Hockey. I don't listen to their show very often, but when Butters left, at least he gave a comment on how odd it was. I think it was in "On, Wisconsin" with Brian Posick (which I love, because it covers all the sports to at least some degree, not just the fairly to largely popular spectator sports), when he had Mike Lucas on to talk football, he had some things to say about the move to the Big Ten hockey conference before getting into football.
There's a sports radio show in the DC area whose hosts said they would always give some time to the Washington Nationals (this was when they were perrenial cellar dwellers) and would always take baseball calls, even though they knew a "all Redskins all the time" format would draw bigger numbers. It would be great if some of the more influential sports media guys could do that. Obviously, the beat writers aren't the ones calling the shots at the WSJ, but if they had a small series preview for LSSU and news about Rumpel, that would make a difference in where Wisconsin men's hockey stands in local sports fans' minds. "Injured goalie" doesn't put butts in the seats, but it does keep Wisconsin Hockey in the same conversation as football and basketball, rather than just being the most popular of soccer, volleyball, wrestling, etc.
I'm not exposed to the local sports conversation/mindset the way you guys are, being a current student, but I get the sense that the only thing making Wisconsin hockey (and all that goes with it) seem important is the ticket prices.
This isn't anything specific that I could sell to the athletic department, but I get the sense that what they have to do is reach out to the community and rally up support for the hockey team the same way they would if they were a new program and are trying to get people interested. Then throw in the fact that we already have decades of tradition and hard core fans, and you haves something going. It's just a thought I had. Nothing immediately helpful to anyone, but I wanted to share.
If I had to pick the 2 biggest factors in fan interest, I would say they are winning and media coverage. I wish Lucas and Lepay would talk more hockey, especially since I know Mike Lucas is big on Badger Hockey. I don't listen to their show very often, but when Butters left, at least he gave a comment on how odd it was. I think it was in "On, Wisconsin" with Brian Posick (which I love, because it covers all the sports to at least some degree, not just the fairly to largely popular spectator sports), when he had Mike Lucas on to talk football, he had some things to say about the move to the Big Ten hockey conference before getting into football.
There's a sports radio show in the DC area whose hosts said they would always give some time to the Washington Nationals (this was when they were perrenial cellar dwellers) and would always take baseball calls, even though they knew a "all Redskins all the time" format would draw bigger numbers. It would be great if some of the more influential sports media guys could do that. Obviously, the beat writers aren't the ones calling the shots at the WSJ, but if they had a small series preview for LSSU and news about Rumpel, that would make a difference in where Wisconsin men's hockey stands in local sports fans' minds. "Injured goalie" doesn't put butts in the seats, but it does keep Wisconsin Hockey in the same conversation as football and basketball, rather than just being the most popular of soccer, volleyball, wrestling, etc.
I'm not exposed to the local sports conversation/mindset the way you guys are, being a current student, but I get the sense that the only thing making Wisconsin hockey (and all that goes with it) seem important is the ticket prices.
This isn't anything specific that I could sell to the athletic department, but I get the sense that what they have to do is reach out to the community and rally up support for the hockey team the same way they would if they were a new program and are trying to get people interested. Then throw in the fact that we already have decades of tradition and hard core fans, and you haves something going. It's just a thought I had. Nothing immediately helpful to anyone, but I wanted to share.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
I don't think Eaves leaving will energize the fans. There is a group that supports Johnson, but there's also a group that supports Eaves. You aren't going to see hundreds, let alone thousands jump back on the hockey bandwagon. Times are a changin and UW hockey in Madison sports world is not as deeply followed as in the past. Winning more consistently may help a bit, but it's never going to get back to what it was 10 years ago. FB and BB have eroded $$$ from men's hockey.
Not being on FSW or PBS only hurts cultivating the casual tv fan into an attending fan. It's like they have disappeared to many. The AD needs to make it a priority to get tv deals done, even if it means the UW itself had to spend some coin on the broadcasts. It's pretty pathetic when I can watch an Army/Merrimack replay last night and not see UW on tv period.
Style of play......it's meaningless.......just win.
I don't think Eaves leaving will energize the fans. There is a group that supports Johnson, but there's also a group that supports Eaves. You aren't going to see hundreds, let alone thousands jump back on the hockey bandwagon. Times are a changin and UW hockey in Madison sports world is not as deeply followed as in the past. Winning more consistently may help a bit, but it's never going to get back to what it was 10 years ago. FB and BB have eroded $$$ from men's hockey.
Not being on FSW or PBS only hurts cultivating the casual tv fan into an attending fan. It's like they have disappeared to many. The AD needs to make it a priority to get tv deals done, even if it means the UW itself had to spend some coin on the broadcasts. It's pretty pathetic when I can watch an Army/Merrimack replay last night and not see UW on tv period.
Style of play......it's meaningless.......just win.
Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVI: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Tolerate The BTHC
I think that there is a tremendous opportunity in the next few years to revitalize hockey in general in the Madison area.
The addition of a USHL team to the area is a great chance to promote hockey in general. I can't say that I know of how USHL scheduling works, so I can't say if there will be any times where the two teams are directly competing for attendance. But this is a place where a forward thinking Athletic Department could form a great partnership with the USHL team and develop some cross-promotional ideas. Combined ticket packages (probably unlikely because of UW handling ticketing in house and Ticketmaster likely handling the other end), airing promotional videos at the Kohl Center, having UW hockey players be involved with the USHL gameday experience.
Some say that there is a limited hockey audience in Madison and that these two teams will compete with each other for fans (and their money), but I think that more fans can be created and both teams can experience gains out of this relationship.
I think that there is a tremendous opportunity in the next few years to revitalize hockey in general in the Madison area.
The addition of a USHL team to the area is a great chance to promote hockey in general. I can't say that I know of how USHL scheduling works, so I can't say if there will be any times where the two teams are directly competing for attendance. But this is a place where a forward thinking Athletic Department could form a great partnership with the USHL team and develop some cross-promotional ideas. Combined ticket packages (probably unlikely because of UW handling ticketing in house and Ticketmaster likely handling the other end), airing promotional videos at the Kohl Center, having UW hockey players be involved with the USHL gameday experience.
Some say that there is a limited hockey audience in Madison and that these two teams will compete with each other for fans (and their money), but I think that more fans can be created and both teams can experience gains out of this relationship.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons for it to be a flop, but I've been hopeful of what you described above since the announcement. It would be a very long term thing, obviously, but it could change hockey culture in the Madison area for the better. As for scheduling conflicts, there will likely be plenty, as the USHL tries to keep games on weekends because of school.
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