Brian Morris writes:
 
>According to Bob Croce in this morning's T-U the starting times are based on
>selling the most tickets.  RPI and Clarkson are expected to bring by far the
>largest contingents of supporters to Lake Placid.  Since this game then becomes
>the marquee match-up, the ECAC has decided to give this game the 8:00 slot.
>In so doing the schedule will permit the greatest number of fans, i.e. those
>from Clarkson and RPI, the opportunity to purchase tickets and attend the
>event.
 
Ah, the EC$C is at it again :-).  Seriously, the number one seed in a
tournament (Harvard) typically should have the first game so if they
win they get the most rest.
 
------------------------------
 
Matt wrote:
 
>        Someone noted that RPI fans chant "Let's Go Red". Which reminds
>me: I assume many of you have seen Cornell play RPI. Other than that, is
>their any proof that the two teams are different? RPI has a better
>record, but similar uniforms, styles and cheers. Even their bands are
>essentially the same.
 
It may be just an urban legend, but when I was at RPI, RPI's uniforms
looked much like the Detroit Red Wings, supposedly because Ned Harkness
was enamoured with the Red Wings and later would be employed by them.
Perhaps the same thing occurred when he went to Cornell.
 
By the way, it was always "The 'Tute" in the 60's and early 70's.
 
On the topic of "curmudgeonry", for many years after I left Troy the
only way that I could keep up with RPI Hockey was by subscribing to the
student newspaper and by clippings that I received from people in Troy.
I certainly learned nothing from the Washington Post and local sports
reports about any College Hockey team, and The Hockey News had less
college hoceky content than it has now.  I remember sitting in my car on
the evening of RPI's semifinal victory against UMD in 1985 trying to
listen to WGY in Schenectady which can be heard in Washington when
conditions are right for the score.  (The game was not shown until the
next day on ESPN.)  The last year with Hockey-L has been a very
welcome change.
 
Ralph Baer  RPI '68, '70, '74