In article <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] (Jimmy Page is GOD) writes:
|>          I think that RPI must have the worst home support in the entire
|>         world.  The crowd's at the field house are so quiet during the
|>         games it almost drives me(a huge RPI fan) up the wall.  We have
|>         an awesome team, which puts together some really beautiful
|>         plays (of course, that can't win two games back to back but...)
|>         and the majority of the crowd (excluding season ticket holders and
|>         a sprinkling of other die hard fans) are the only people who show
|>         any emotion or even a response.
|>
|>         The only time their is any real noise/action in the crowd is when a
|>         goal was scored.  I mean thats great and everything, but when RPI
|>         is losing and playing poorly their is no support from the home
|>         crowd.  Doesn't this defeat the point of home ice advantage?!?!?!
|>
|>         I watched some WCHA games on TV over the break and they showed teams
|>         like the Golden Gophers playing at home.  When these teams would rally
|>         from a deficit or some poor playing the crowd would really get into it.
|>         The players would even skate along the boards and really get into with
|>         the crowd (banging on the boards, shouting, etc.)  This sounds more
|>         like a fun time at a hockey game.
|>
|>         What do other RPI or any visiting fans think about the home crowds.
|>         Do any of the WRPI guys notice the difference when they travel??
|>
|>                                 Just curious,
|>                                 Bryce.
 
 
I have regularly attended RPI games for the past six years, and have missed maybe five home games in the past four. Over this time period, the RPI home crowds have grown noticeably more quiet.
 
Until a couple of years ago, RPI had a skating mascot, the swarm, which was a red and white bee. During the periods, the swarm would walk around in the crowd and get the fans yelling and screaming. A couple of years ago, some brilliant person in the athletic department decided that the swarm has nothing to do with hockey, and they got rid of it. This probably comes from the same (brilliant?) people who want to bring you a new nickname. Anyway, ever since, the RPI crowds have become more and more quiet.
 
I think the lack of the swarm is only part of the problem. During the first year of the Buddy Powers era, the ENGINEERS suddenly rebounded from several losing seasons to finish in second place in the ECAC regular season. The team performed way above expectations, and the fans responded. My favorite home game was the final game of that regular season, against Cornell. An RPI win would put the ENGINEERS into a second place finish, a loss into fifth place, leaving Cornell in second. The crowd that night was LOUD. The action was back and forth all night, but found RPI trailing 4-3 going into the final minute. RPI scored the game tying goal with 28 seconds left in regulation, and won it in OT. I sat very close to the band that night, and I couldn't even hear the band playing the fight song after those two goals since the crowd was so loud.
 
The next year brought Joe Juneau's senior year and another relatively successful season, although I think a fifth place finish was a bit less than the RPI fans wanted (expected?). The next year brought the current seniors, including Askew, Hamelin, Clarke, etc, and a major rebuilding effort. I think this is when the fans started to become quieter. The inconsistency of that season many times took the crowd out of the game. However, the big finish that year raised expectations greatly, especially with the upset of Harvard (I was at that game. It was great) and taking St. Lawrence to 2OT (another classic).
 
The next year started without the swarm. That, and a preseason prediction of a second or third place finish in the ECAC got the fans to expect big things, and when they didn't happen, people were disappointed. This trend has continued.
 
I sit on one of the goal lines, near the band. Over the years, I have noticed the fans in this section become more and more quiet. This year is the worst. I tend to be loud, but all too often it seems like I am the only one taunting the goalie or even yelling, "Let's go red." I have actually addressed the fans in this section a couple times this year about joining in, but with very limited results. The fans simply want to watch the game and cheer when a goal is scored. And I am talking about both students and adults.
 
Well, I guess I have said enough.
 
Rodney Feldman
RPI '94, '95?
 
LET'S GO RPI ENGINEERS!