Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXVIII: This could be a banner year, but how would we know?
In other words: It was really awesome going to games 6-10 years ago. We used to have exactly what you describe, but those days feel long gone.
In the 2011-12 season, the student section spilled into 210 regularly. I still vividly remember Justin Schultz's ice cream goal on senior night, and it would be great to get that again. Heck,
this was pretty awesome, and the paid attendance was "only" 11,445. Even in some wide shots in those highlights, it looks way different than last night. Going further back,
it looks even better (albiet grainier).
'Twas one of his hallmarks, really.
And what did he do with that attitude? He built Wisconsin hockey from the ground up. I've heard Mike Eaves talk about the stories of Bob Johnson and how he welcomed new fans and encouraged everyone to give it a shot. When they did, they were hooked. It's baffling to me (as I'm sure it is to all of you) how attendance has dropped the way it has, considering the way people who do give it a shot tend to get into it, at least moderately so, if not bat$#!& so. It's kind of like back then, except we already have more fans, and a sweet collection of historic highlights.
I often skim over posts in the other Big Ten threads, and it seems Michigan is having issues of their own. Yost is a much different venue, but a lot of their fans are making points about a shrinking student section. Then, of course, there's MSU with their big sellout streak and now sitting in the 4K range. Of course, the Kohl Center deals with different kinds of numbers, and it varies a lot, comparable to Georgetown basketball at Verizon Center. But this is not Georgetown basketball in Washington, D.C. It's Wisconsin hockey in Madison, Wisconsin, and it's a great day for hockey! Speaking of which, the outdoor rinks are beginning to open, and Vilas Park's rinks are about to open!!! (And if any of you want to play hockey with myself and even some other regular inhabitants of the front of 115, that would be awesome.)
Personally, I really appreciate DC posting and sharing the perspective of a current Crease Creature and I like the positive outlook. It's very encouraging to me to see DC carrying on the long and storied traditions of the Badger Faithful. Bodes well for the future.
There are deliberate efforts from the students, and the topic is talked about more than you might think, even outside of hockey games at the Kohl Center.
Exactly. The words "It's a Great Day for Hockey" have never only meant "it's a great day for hockey."
Okay, I'll admit. I can't figure out what you mean by that.
An insignificant anecdote - a few weeks ago in the weight room, I overheard a personal trainer and her client chatting between sets. The client is an older woman, and she said something about how her neices and nephews got to go to a football game and hockey game. They
especially liked the hockey game, largely because of the fun chants! I've also heard people talk about junior hockey and the USA Hockey ADM in there.
