sader1970

The Atlantic Hockey has signed a deal with Turfer to provide team apparel. Here's the announcement: http://www.atlantichockeyonline.com/news/2...ws/turfer073106

Two thoughts, my friends: 1. If your "jersey coordinator" is moving out of the area to Colorado, why not consider having HC send the jerseys to the UND bookstore? Or are you trying to keep them out of the loop? (They wouldn't try to sell the HC jerseys would they? ) After all, I was going to suggest to the HC bookstore that they should cut a deal with the Fighting Sioux's bookstore and sell HC apparel there (hockey, of course). 2. Some of the Holy Cross fans on their board thought it would be great if you guys were to come east and play us next season. Though our on-campus "arena" is very small and seats only about 1,200 but we had about 2,000 at the conference playoffs, we have access to a large arena in Worcester, MA, until about 2 years ago the 2nd largest city in New England, smaller only than Boston. The DCU arena seats, I believe upwards of 12,000 and the hockey fans in New England, not just HC fans would flock to the game (especially if you go all the way or at least beat BC). I can assure you that the folks in Massachusetts (I live in Rhode Island, smallest state in the union) would do all in their power to try to match your hospitality.

I posted on the Holy Cross sports board about the withdrawal of some of the team jerseys and expressed my concern that your good feelings toward my alma mater might be diminished because of it. All loyal Holy Cross fans have the same concern. However, I then heard from the fan who bought the 4 jerseys and here is what I posted on "Crossports.com" this morning after hearing from him: "Pitt, I don't know if it is bogus or not but doubt it. However, there are two sides to every story and this may be a case of miscommunication. I've come across some information that the "big alumni donor" may not be a Park Smith (for you Fighting Sioux fans, the biggest contributor to Holy Cross - donated a couple of buildings and a soccer stadium) kind of guy but a loyal HC hockey team fan who wanted them for his kids and some other long supporters of the program. Certainly, "charity begins at home" and though I can't prove it, I suspect that maybe this situation moved so much more quickly than anyone realized from both ends. At one point the Sioux fans were concerned that they weren't going to live up to their commitment to buy all the jerseys and were afraid of what HC would think of THEM. It may be just one of those regretable things that happen in life. I haven't checked their board lately but at least initially the Fighting Sioux folks expressed disappointment but more understanding than I would have expressed. Ya gotta love those folks in the heartland. To solve this one would truly take the wisdom of Solomon but at least now I know why the HC alum/fan asked for the jerseys - he's not some rich fat-cat who simply paid more than the North Dakota folks. Rather, he's someone who rooted for our team long before they won anything in Grand Forks." Anyway, thanks for being so understanding! Hope this puts things into perspective.

Let me again second the comments of Holy Cross' Athletic Director, Dick Regan, and salute the Fighting Sioux fans as THE BEST hockey fans in the country, bar none! It simply boggles my mind to read about the groundswell to buy the HC teams jerseys. I wish I knew who the anonymous alum who's grabbing 4 of those jerseys was as I'd give him a piece of my mind. If you ever find out who it is, please post the name and I'll patiently explain that he/she(?) couldn't possibly get more pleasure from owning a team jersey like the Fighting Sioux fans. Frankly, I'm embarassed about this and hope you all won't think less of Holy Cross because of it (let's hope he's paying $100K each). I do know the folks at the bookstore pretty well as my wife and I are probably one of the best customers they have as we own one of just about anything they sell there. When we walk in the bookstore, we get the royal welcome like Norm on Cheers. If you are in New England, be sure to wear your Fighting Sioux gear and I'm sure there will be a HC alum or fan nearby that'll buy you a beer.

On behalf of Holy Cross alumni and students around the country, let me add my thanks for all the hospitality shown to our team and fans who visited Grand Forks a couple of weeks ago. Though we are primarily known for and have a proud heritage in basketball (Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn and others as well as past winners of the NCAA and NIT tournaments), our hockey team has been coming along under the direction of Paul Pearl, another HC alum and great coach. We don't have the long hockey tradition of the Fighting Sioux and our relationship only goes back 2 years (when we also lost to you by 3 goals in the NCAAs in Colorado) but we are hopeful that you will return the favor we did for you by knocking off Minnesota by knocking off Holy Cross' long-time rival Boston College in Milwaukee. Though I've only been to North Dakota once, on business, I'll be sure to wear my Crusader gear the next time I'm there. I go to Minneapolis much more frequently but don't think they'd appreciate me wearing the purple of Holy Cross. Best of luck in the Frozen Four!