On Tue, 20 Feb 1996, Geoff Howell wrote:
>
> Schafer is certainly a front-runner, I'd say on even footing with Marsh
> at this point. <snip> (and don't forget Mike Gilligan - if Vermont
finishes 1st, he'll get many votes).
 
I agree that it is a dead heat between Schafer and Marsh.  I feel
whoever's team is higher at the end of the Reg. Season will get the prize.
 As for Gilligan, I don't think he will get the nod based on the fact that he
has a team with much talent and were picked by many to start pulling away
by this point in the season.
 
> A couple of other Schafer thoughts: unlike Bob Gaudet, Don Cahoon or
> Roger Demment, he inherited a team with a respectible level of talent
> from top to bottom. The Big Red needed motivation more than anything
> else, and he has certainly provided that. He also restored the player's
> confidence by loosening the reigns on the ice.
 
Most importantly, he has taught this team what it means to wear a Cornell
uniform.  There's the story that during the preseason, he had the team
polish Cornell's past trophies and awards, and prepare a report on a past
player to wear each player's number.  And the report that he made the
team, after losing to Army, run around the arena and get on the bus to
Ithaca still in full uniform without showers.  The result: pride in the
program that has not been present the past few years.
 
> Lastly, Schafer is curteous, thoughtful and friendly. Those attributes
> go a long way towards getting the media on your side and pleasing
> alumni, recruits, etc.
 
Schafer has most importantly put the fans first, this year.  He knows that
Cornell fans are among of the best in the nation, and the teams response
to the Lynah Faithful has reflected this, whether it is the post-game
salute to the fans, or Matt Cooney acknowleging the fan support at Brown
following a few scuffles, or Steve Wilson giving Section A & B the 'V' for
Victory sign on his way to the locker room when he had just been knocked out
along the boards.  And one more note on Schafer: on the way back from
Providence, the team bus and the pep band bus stopped at the same stop for
gas, and Coach came up on the pep band bus and thanked us for making the
trip this past weekend.  No doubt Mike Schafer has made the Lynah Faithful
very happy this year.
 
> As of today, I'd take Knopp for Rookie of the Year. I'll see Clarkson and
> SLU this weekend, though, so that could change. I like Knopp's speed,
> defensive sense, skills and the fact that he plays PK and PP. Ben Storey
> is still my favorite rookie D (despite his benching on Saturday after
> taking a bad penalty late against Cornell). Alex Westlund is the top
> rookie goalie by default - no other freshman has seen significant time.
 
Kyle Knopp should win ROY not just for the numbers.  When P.C. Drouin was
out for a few games early in the season, Knopp took his place on the power
play.  The freshman stepped up and has been a key part to special teams ever
since.  The freshman has displayed the leadership skills to quarterback
the 5th ranked PP for much of the season.  Of course, many of the
rookies mentioned do have their merits as well, but especially after this
past weekend, Knopp has the edge.
 
How about POY?  Obviously the top candidates are the French Connection
Perrin/St. Louis (again) from UVM, Burke Murphy from St. Lawrence,
Mike Harder/DeProffio from Colgate, and Todd White at Clarkson.  At this
point, I give Perrin the nod.  He has really stepped up this year, and with
a guy like St. Louis feeding you, you will get the points.  If Murphy
finishes strong, watch him, too.
 
One more Cornell note on this coming weekend: Lynah should be rocking this
weekend, but this should be an even bigger production than usual: Empire
Sports Network (Prime affiliate from Buffalo) is broadcasting the RPI game
Saturday, and the Cornell Daily Sun reported that before the game vs.
Union on Friday night, images of the senior icers will be projected on the
ice, complete with spotlights.  geez...Cornell goes hollywood.
 
LET'S GO RED!!!
 
--Rich Hovorka
  Cornell '96
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