Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

[WiscDC]

Is Barry serious? "I don't know what they are?" What the ****ing god **** ****? He's the AD! He SHOULD know EXACTLY what the problem is by now. Does Richter have to call and tell him? How out of touch can he be?

That's not how I read that quote. I thought it was pretty clear that Alvarez knows what's wrong in terms of results. Attendance, horrific record, and things like that are obvious. However, he wants to get to the roots of the problem - the kinds of things that we speculate upon and analyze in this thread and the recruiting thread.

I'm surprised by this as well, but some comments here are surprising me too (NOT the ones showimg outrage that the coaching staff wasn't gutted - the ones about the athletic department's and AD's total apathy that the quotes in the article don't really support). I didn't expect anyone to be satisfied with it. I'm not satisfied with it either, but I feel like I read a different article.

 

[bucky15]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

The last 2 seasons of watching this type of UW hockey was slowly suffocating my love for UW hockey and college hockey in general. After this season and the way things are starting to point towards in how this off season is going to go it has killed my love for it. It is sad to think how far this program and my level of interest has fallen for UW hockey in 4-5 years. 5-10 years ago, I would work my schedule around the UW home series. Now it takes me to Thursday some weeks to see who they even are playing and where. The only game I went to was to see Eichel more than it was to see UW hockey.

I don't get to worked up over this stuff, because there is no point. It is meant to be entertaining, when it stops being entertaining it is time to move along. Still love hockey just try to play it more and follow the NHL now.

The most entertaining part of UW hockey is following these boards.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

The most entertaining part of UW hockey is following these boards.

There were very, very, few badger fans at Mariucci this year; which is quite unusual for the series. As on outsider this seems to be a very telling sign of apathy toward the program.

 

[UCBadger]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Worse Things Happen At Sea, You Know

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: A Fanbase Gets Smarter When All The Idiots Jump Ship

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Screw it, lets watch basketball

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: I give the entire program 5 years before Barry actually kills it

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Apathy Is The Only Medicine

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: I Think We Just Ran Out Of Spot Remover

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Give UP

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: What is this "hockey" thing you speak of?

 

[baalbrec]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Honestly, how much better can next years team be than this years? Looking at the games the Badgers managed to tie or win this year:

T against Ferris State outshot 35-23
W against Ferris State outshot 33-26
W against Tech outshot 47-19
T against BU outshot 39-32
T against Rodents outshot 49-20
T against Rodents outshot 46-25
W against OSU outshot 30-28
W against MSU outshot 33-18
T against OSU outshot 34-24

Shots on goal may not be everything, but overall they are a general indication of control of the game. One could argue that goal tending stole close to half the wins or ties for the Badgers this year. That goal tending is gone next year. So even with some improvement with scoring, if the goal tending situation is average, is this even a 10 win program next year? This was the first season in 19 years I didn't attend a Badger game, next year will be the second year in a row.

 

[Go4PuckFan2.0]

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Worse Things Happen At Sea, You Know

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: A Fanbase Gets Smarter When All The Idiots Jump Ship

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Screw it, lets watch basketball

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: I give the entire program 5 years before Barry actually kills it

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Apathy Is The Only Medicine

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: I Think We Just Ran Out Of Spot Remover

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Give UP

I've always found Warren Zevon to be insightful.

Allow one of his song titles to guide you:

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Poor Poor Pitiful Me

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Ain't That Pretty at All

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Sacrificial Lambs

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Basket Case

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Jeannie Needs A Shooter

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Heartache Spoken Here

Or my favorite:

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Desperados Under The Eaves

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

I'm out if eaves is back. Me and my six season tickets for over fifteen years as well as my badger fund donation and women's season tickets are all out.

I understand that there are a lot of frayed nerves among all Wisconsin hockey fans right now. I'm still fuming over yet another women's loss to the Gophers in the Frozen Four. I also understand why you would give up your men's tickets and withhold contributing to the Badger Fund. But why take out your frustrations on the women's program by not re-upping with them? They are running a program we could only wish the men did. Balanced recruiting classes, not having top-end recruits de-committing, playing an up-tempo brand of hockey, playing hard every game and being in a position to compete for a national title every year. In addition, they offer bigger discounts for season ticket holders and offer other ticket incentives that the men's program can't or don't want to do. Frankly, they deserve more of our resources, not less.

Again, I can totally relate to your complete frustration with the men's program and those within the athletic department who have influence on that program. Just seems like you could make your point against the men's team without going scorched earth that affects the teams that are doing it the right way.

 

[Almington]

I've always found Warren Zevon to be insightful.

Allow one of his song titles to guide you:

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Poor Poor Pitiful Me

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Ain't That Pretty at All

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Sacrificial Lambs

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Basket Case

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Jeannie Needs A Shooter

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Heartache Spoken Here

Or my favorite:

Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXIII: Desperados Under The Eaves

My personal favorite is still: the fanbase gets smarter when all the idiots jump ship.


i understand that Alvarez could not come out and say that he was going to fire Eaves in the paper, no AD can do that and keep good people. I'm hoping that is the "public vote of confidence" that actually turns out to be the complete opposite.

Plus NOW is the time to send your reasonable letters of frustration, disappointment, and angst to AD Alvarez and assistant AD Jason King. The more people who write, the higher the odds of change.

I find it very interesting that attendance fell even as UW was making the NCAA tournament in 12-13 and 13-14. That is very telling that this fanbase is becoming increasingly disillusioned with these cycles.

 

[WiscDC]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Honestly, how much better can next years team be than this years? Looking at the games the Badgers managed to tie or win this year:

T against Ferris State outshot 35-23
W against Ferris State outshot 33-26
W against Tech outshot 47-19
T against BU outshot 39-32
T against Rodents outshot 49-20
T against Rodents outshot 46-25
W against OSU outshot 30-28
W against MSU outshot 33-18
T against OSU outshot 34-24

Shots on goal may not be everything, but overall they are a general indication of control of the game. One could argue that goal tending stole close to half the wins or ties for the Badgers this year. That goal tending is gone next year. So even with some improvement with scoring, if the goal tending situation is average, is this even a 10 win program next year? This was the first season in 19 years I didn't attend a Badger game, next year will be the second year in a row.

An even better indicator of possession and control of the game are Corsi/Fenwick/Shots Attempted/Shots attempted+blocks...

...and as Andy showed us, that picture is just as un-pretty.

 

[WiscTJK]

I understand that there are a lot of frayed nerves among all Wisconsin hockey fans right now. I'm still fuming over yet another women's loss to the Gophers in the Frozen Four. I also understand why you would give up your men's tickets and withhold contributing to the Badger Fund. But why take out your frustrations on the women's program by not re-upping with them? They are running a program we could only wish the men did. Balanced recruiting classes, not having top-end recruits de-committing, playing an up-tempo brand of hockey, playing hard every game and being in a position to compete for a national title every year. In addition, they offer bigger discounts for season ticket holders and offer other ticket incentives that the men's program can't or don't want to do. Frankly, they deserve more of our resources, not less.

Again, I can totally relate to your complete frustration with the men's program and those within the athletic department who have influence on that program. Just seems like you could make your point against the men's team without going scorched earth that affects the teams that are doing it the right way.

Because they are taking a great thing with the women's season tickets and jacking it 67%. Now it is still relatively inexpensive $75 for one adult and one student season ticket, but they schedule games at 2pm on Fridays and I am not paying 67% more for that.

we'll pick a game here and there to attend...

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Because they are taking a great thing with the women's season tickets and jacking it 67%. Now it is still relatively inexpensive $75 for one adult and one student season ticket, but they schedule games at 2pm on Fridays and I am not paying 67% more for that.

we'll pick a game here and there to attend...

I understand that. Not thrilled with the price increase and that the 2:00 Friday game times still exist even with their own arena. I originally interpreted as you were dumping women's tickets because the men's team stinks.

 

[solovsfett]

At this point, UW Athletics is currently on probation with me, if Eaves coaches another game at UW (or the geniuses in charge extend his contract) then this idiot is giving the whole athletic department my personal "death penalty" - No hockey, no basketball, no football, no support for any UW athletic program. A 4 win season is an embarrassment, bringing the coach back who after 12 seasons doesn't have things established to the point where a 4 win season happens is just a travesty. If UW athletics isn't going to make a change I fail to see why I should spent my emotional and financial resources on products from an organization with such shockingly low standards.

I share your view fully. I will be contacting the ad and letting them know politely we're done until or unless changes are made.

Having had season tix since 1985 this is going to be tough but must be done as it's the only statement Alvarez may actually understand. After all those amazing years I have to paraphrase Casablanca here: "I'm shocked! Shocked that their's losing in this establishment"...

 

[WiscTJK]

I understand that. Not thrilled with the price increase and that the 2:00 Friday game times still exist even with their own arena. I originally interpreted as you were dumping women's tickets because the men's team stinks.

It's all tied together in my eyes. They don't understand the common person. I could handle a small increase, but they just raised me right out out of season tickets.

 

[UWisco]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

I'm curious to see if there will be any Badger fans in Boston in a few weeks. I will be there, like every year, and was wondering if there will be a red contingent there.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Because they are taking a great thing with the women's season tickets and jacking it 67%. Now it is still relatively inexpensive $75 for one adult and one student season ticket, but they schedule games at 2pm on Fridays and I am not paying 67% more for that.

we'll pick a game here and there to attend...

Jason King told me they do everything in their power to avoid the Friday aft games. Last year they had none, this year 2 (and I agree 2 is 2 too many, that's why I contacted him.). I am also not pleased about the increase, but I can still afford them. It may get to a point where they price me out, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Until then I plan on enjoying some world class hockey with US and Canadian Olympic players on their roster. I encourage all the disenchanted men's fans over to the gal's side of the ledger attendance-wise. We'll get those stinkin' rodents beat.

The bottom line is they will end up around .500 next year, and that will buy Eaves 2 more years. Our only hope is he falls on his own sword.

 

[markwojo]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Because they are taking a great thing with the women's season tickets and jacking it 67%. Now it is still relatively inexpensive $75 for one adult and one student season ticket, but they schedule games at 2pm on Fridays and I am not paying 67% more for that.

we'll pick a game here and there to attend...

Next thing you know, they will start making you donate to the Badger Fund, schedule exhibitions into your season ticket package, and you can pay more for the privilege of being a season ticketholder (which by the way, is completely contrary to anything that happens in the sport where even the Blackhawks who can charge almost anything they want charge less on a per game bases for season ticket holders then a person buying single game tickets). Instead of rewarding the people willing to commit to coming to every game in the Summer (before you even know which kids might decide to go pro....see Ryan Suter the year he left the week after school started), you offer discounted packages to people buying single game tickets in season. Who's the "idiot"...the one that craps on their best customers and apparently accept an awful product (mediocre would be to generous for this seasons team) by not acting after the worst season in school history following a long term trend of decline or those that have been foolish enough to keeping going to games hoping things might change?

 

[UCBadger]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

As someone far removed (both time and distance) from buying season tickets, please tell me how much Men's and Womens' season tickets cost. (How many games?.....when I was there, you had either Friday night or Saturday night tickets, not both). What "donation" is required to keep your season tickets? Thanks for the info!

 

[XYZ]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

I would assume if he quits he gets nothing. He'd get a job in the NHL like Gwoz did, and he's made a lot of money so he could probably afford to take a year or 2 off if he chose to.

Yeah, sorry, should have been more clear. Was thinking "negotiated resignation," which would then of course have some sort of buyout deal included therein.

 

[Handyman]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

I've come to recognize that username as the one that precedes comments that grasp at reasons to use the same tired jokes over and over and over, without much relevance to the discussion. I'm surprised I didn't see something about "becky."

Well if it makes you feel any better most of us dont like him either

 

[Handyman]

Re: Wisconsin Hockey Vol. XXXII: No Where To Go But Up!

Next thing you know, they will start making you donate to the Badger Fund, schedule exhibitions into your season ticket package, and you can pay more for the privilege of being a season ticketholder (which by the way, is completely contrary to anything that happens in the sport where even the Blackhawks who can charge almost anything they want charge less on a per game bases for season ticket holders then a person buying single game tickets). Instead of rewarding the people willing to commit to coming to every game in the Summer (before you even know which kids might decide to go pro....see Ryan Suter the year he left the week after school started), you offer discounted packages to people buying single game tickets in season. Who's the "idiot"...the one that craps on their best customers and apparently accept an awful product (mediocre would be to generous for this seasons team) by not acting after the worst season in school history following a long term trend of decline or those that have been foolish enough to keeping going to games hoping things might change?

This seems to be the trend all over the place these days. Colleges are killing the goose that laid the golden egg. It costs an arm and a leg for families to watch college sports these days...and it is horrible.

(sorry to barge in Badger fans, I am not trying to stir up anything)