airmail
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I think our tailgating scene has had a negative impact on game attendance, and I also believe major changes need to happen ASAP.
One of the biggest reasons our tailgating scene sucks is that it is being used as a parking lot, and is managed completely wrong, IMO. A few years back, I excused myself from a group that I had tailgated with since the Alerus first went to reserved spots. Why? Because out of 6 tailgating spots, 4 of them were (and still are) consumed by their vehicles because they were not willing to pay the $5 parking fee for the game. As unfortunate as that is and was, I am seeing even more of it the past few years, and it has affected our tailgating atmosphere in the worst way.
I hoped it was a unique situation, but as I looked across the tailgating area last weekend I saw two things consistently:
- Tailgating spots are being used as "preferred" parking spaces.
- Many tailgating spots that are reserved for the season are not being utilized (corporate?) and it ends up being an open (dead) space in the tailgating area.
I know that there are MANY that will disagree with me, but I still see nothing wrong with the first come/ first served mentality with tailgating. If someone wants to get there at o-dark-30 to get the best spot in the house, why not let them. They are obviously the types of fans that we want to establish a great tailgating atmosphere. And all of these rabid fans will be together, and not separated by 20 vehicles. Voila - you have a tailgating atmosphere. But instead, we have a number of great tailgating groups separated from each other by vehicles and no-show spots reserved for others. Sorry, but the reserved tailgating spot has been the death of our formerly great atmosphere, even if it has padded the coffers of whomever gets the dough. It has to go, and soon. Doesn't the Alerus and Alumni office realize that people will come for the party, and they will also stay for the game? Tailgating has a HUGE impact on game attendance.
I think vehicle parking should not be prohibited altogether, but it should definitely be limited. And as far as the open spaces are concerned, they are killing whatever atmosphere the dispersed groups are trying to create. Instead of one big UND tailgate, it's 50 crappy little tent parties spread out across the entire parking lot. (with ALL DUE RESPECT to those actually trying to create a good atmosphere - it isn't their fault at all) Maybe non-attending groups can transfer their spot to another - maybe they should get spanked if they leave their spot unused?
I don't know how to fix it, but when we were lined up at 6:00am waiting for the spots, we had the BEST tailgating atmosphere in the state. Trust me - I was there every weekend. Now it just plain sucks. Like I said - people will come for the party and stay for the game. We need to make it an event again.
Start the party.
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Didn't see that coming either, but I'm sure he's earned it. Congrats to him.
(Doesn't this usually come out in a UND press release, versus a "The Herald has learned" type of story?)
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One of the things I read which drew me to start this thread was in last weeks Tuesday chat Brad Schlossman stated that this forward squad was not as talented as the '11 squad. I disagree with that. I think we have much more skill in this group, aside from the physical aspect of course.
I say there is no way we don't score a goal with this team vs that Michigan team.
Zero chance.
The '11 team was simply loaded up front, so comparisons to that team are natural. IMO, I don't think we have the physicality and scoring ability with the '15 forward group that we had in '11. And that isn't a knock against the current squad - more of a nod to the other group. We have a ton of talent this year - just a different dynamic that makes it work. Frankly, it probably works better as other already alluded to.
To say the '15 group would score on the '11 Michigan team is kind of irrelevant. That Michigan team, for that game, had a very specialized defensive plan against UND that was successfully implemented and executed. Plainly, "Old Red" did his homework. What an awful night for the Sioux faithful.
If blue-collar can bring us the championship that the blue-chips couldn't, so be it. I'm 100% on board.
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I don't know Mafia's picks but those were mine. ?
When I read it earlier this week I had my doubts. Holy crap.
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CC stealing points from a good UNO team has me a little concerned. Strong starts are a must - don't let them believe they can pull off an upset!
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Honestly, still not convinced Mankato is that good. They split with UMD and Omaha and beat the WCHA.
They sure can't be too bad.... We split with UMD and won/tied with UNO. And I think we're pretty damn good.
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What I was most disappointed with on Saturday was that there were about 14 fans in the building (excuse my hyperbole) when the seniors and their parents were announced. Everyone was still getting their last beers and chicken strips. It really was embarrassing. Not sure what one can do about it in the future, but it really was too bad - especially for what this group of kids has dealt with over the past few years.
They, IMO, deserved a little better send-off than what they received.
(no... I don't have a kid on the team)
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What do people attribute the fact that the offense shows signs of life in the second half to? Is it excellent coaching adjustments? The other team letting up?
I think they look at the stats, realize they haven't gotten s**t for offensive yards with the "pound it up the gut" offense, and decide to open up the playbook a little more.
Maybe some adjustments here and there, but IMO, the play calling takes on a different look entirely once we are at crunch time. As others have mentioned, I'd like to see that a little earlier in the next game.
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UND 19-17 yep 4 FG's
....and a defensive touchdown.....
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Keeping it within 20 would be nice to see...
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Frozen Four - against your biggest rival - GWG with one second left - shorthanded.
It's the best way to win a game, and the worst way to lose a game.
Heartbreaker.
Thanks for another good run, boys.
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Was the rest of it something like "your team is s*%tty and your coach smokes dope"? My memories are fading and there was alcohol involved.
Holy crap - I had completely forgot about this cheer! Thanks for the refresher!!
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Back in the fall of '86, my family moved to Grand Forks. As a young teenager in a new school, I had trouble fitting in and pretty much hated everything that was Grand Forks, ND. That was until my dad scored a couple tickets from his co-worker and we went to a UND hockey game just before Christmas - my first ever.
I can't remember who we played, but we won. Handily. The band had a drummer and guitar player that were going crazy. The crowd was absolutely nuts. The unified chants from the student section were something I had NEVER seen or heard before in my life. I was hooked immediately. We went to a few more games that season, and I'm still pissed that I couldn't get my dad to buy me one of those authentic Hrkac jerseys that they were selling in the concourse. Sure wish I had one now!
Fast forward to '91. I was now one of the student section. Most of you know the drill:
- Party before the game
- Continue the party all the way to the attendance line (although in the early 90s, there wasn't much for lines - you could pretty much get in at any time)
- Stash your booze before walking in
- Get your student ID out and give to the door guy. If you didn't have a student ID, have a buddy circle around after he got in and you could use his. It was a MUCH simpler time.
- Secure seats just to the right of the penalty box. (lots of great interaction with penalized players - some players were really cool and fun. Others were definitely not.)
- Go to the concession area and get a large coke.
- Dump half of your coke in the water fountain and return to seat to mix your drink. (later on we wised up and ordered half-cokes. The concession folks happily obliged)
- Yell like crazy - cheer on the Sioux.
- Post-game party.
In '96, my (at that time) boss got season tickets. He was a super cool guy, and invited me to A TON of the games over the next few years. Basically, it was like having season tickets on my own. This was the time when I discovered the fun of the "away games" and the "final five". Throw in a couple of Natty's in '97 and 2000, and my conversion to fanatical UND hockey fan was complete. Some simply awesome game memories during this period - too many to list. Great years to be a UND hockey fan - the ralph was always rockin.
(I should add that I got a chance somewhere in these years to do the center ice shot. You basically shoot the puck at a board covering the net which has a slot at the bottom just big enough for a puck to fit in. Didn't matter. I missed the whole effin' net.)
'01: The "New Ralph" opens - my wallet is a few bucks lighter, and I'm in the 5th row. Now my kids like to bring friends to the game. Pretty soon, the kids and their friends will be going to the game while I sit at home. But after that, it will be the wife and I watching Sioux hockey once again. I can't wait.
So when did I get hooked? Game #1. December of '86.
It was the Hrkac Circus. I didn't have a chance.
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- Party before the game
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Biblical passages on Siouxsports.com....... it must be the playoffs!
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No matter the circumstance the pp needs to change. It sucks. It's hard to watch. I usually get the feeling that it provides momentum for the other team more times than not.
Our PP DOES suck. Much. Very frustrating to watch at times.
Now that said - I would've lost a bundle of cash in November if you would have bet me that we'd see this squad in the Frozen Four. I'll agree with those that said this is probably Hak's best coaching effort to date. I'd love to see two more wins, but probably won't bet the farm on that either.
Hopefully the men in green will continue to throw my skepticism back in my face. I'm starting to really enjoy it. Good job coaches, and good job team. Best of luck in Philly.
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Trupper - on my favorite Sioux players list since his goal in OT against the rodents back in '08(?)... there's a guy who always played with lots of heart.
I predict Sioux win in two against Ron Jeremy and his Tigers.
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Which team had more NHL talent? Which team was better?
MM makes a good point, but I think even he will agree that the '97 team was a team that nobody saw coming. Kind of a perfect storm of talent and timing.
FWIW, I loved the chances of the '07 team. Seriously - they were good enough that I hauled the wife and little kids all the way to St. Louis to watch them win number 8. In the end, we got no championship, and a long drive home with a Hobey consolation prize.
As others said, you just don't snub a blue chip player - so I think it's unreasonable to try to make a team out of 4 year committed players. That's just not UND hockey right now, and I guess I'm not sure if we want it to be. Just the same, I think it takes a good mix of both types of players to get it done. 2011 was another year where we had the team to do it - a virtual lock. But a good Michigan defensive game plan doused those flames too. So is a good coaching scheme the missing link? I'm not calling for Hak's head, but we just can't seem to get over the hump even with great squads on the ice. That's frustrating sometimes.
In the end, I have no answers. I just want another banner. A green one.
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Where are the top 3 places to watch Sioux hockey on TV in Grand Forks?
I'd throw the "Southgate" in the mix too - always had fun watching away games there.
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$100 for my 4 seats. Section 107 Row E
Pick up tickets in GF between 8am & 5pm tomorrow.
Text 218-779-8696
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Out of those I'd say Bubba before Tibesar. Just can't see Tibesar leaving his NFL job for FCS.
Does Bollinger fit the "deep ties" statement? Would think no, but he has ties nonetheless....
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GT goes on Joel Heitkamp's show this morning to discuss the situation and somehow Heitkamp ends bad mouthing Hakstol? Didn't hear it myself, curious if anyone else did?
Yep. Joel has issues because he's not at the top of Hak's important people list.
BFD.
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Did you see what happened to that said player? 1 player line change at the next whistle. Based on that, I'd call that a player issue, not a coaching philosophy.
Fair enough.
But I didn't see it, actually. I was still in facepalm mode.
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I like that many of the people who complain about UND playing a dump and chase style also complain about poor decisions with the puck. You need guys with skill who make good decisions with the puck to carry the puck into the zone. Dump and chase allows you to get the puck deep into the zone where guys with less skill can try ad win a battle along the boards. It also forces the defenders to turn their backs on incoming forwards. UND has scored a lot of its goals this year on passes from down low to the front of the net. That's what dump and chase is designed to help.
So we should dump it even when we are on a 5 on 3 power play like Friday night?
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Idaho State: Homecoming Edition
in Football
Posted
Make the NDSU fans drive the lifter and trucks for that shift. Or... take a long 3 hour lunch. Who knows, it might even get shut down because of heat.
Regardless...... #ownthefarm