At 8:39 PM -0500 3/25/97, Greg Ambrose wrote:
> The problem in college hockey is not places like UNH, the problem
> is places like Providence where 800 showed up for a HE playoff game.  I'd
> like to know, how long can Providence College justify spending the money
> they do on the hockey program when no one goes to the games?
 
PC is still trying to cope with the arrival in town a few years ago of the
AHL's Providence Bruins, who play across town at the Civic Center.  (I know
Greg knows this but I am just pointing it out for others.)  Their
attendance has suffered ever since, even though they have tended to have a
pretty good team.
 
It is the classic problem of how to market a program when there are so many
other demands upon people's time and entertainment dollars.  PC fans can
probably speak more about this, but I know they are trying all sorts of
things to get people in the seats.  Hopefully they will have some success
in that area.
 
It will be interesting to see what happens to Lowell's attendance when the
new AHL team there starts play next season.  I don't think anyone really
knows what to expect.  It could affect Merrimack too.
 
However, at least as far as Lowell goes, since the River Hawks will play in
the same rink as the AHL team, there won't be any conflicts game night.
But I believe that PC has had some home games scheduled the same nights
that the P-Bruins were also at home across town, and that does not help.
 
---                                                                   ---
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