This may be long, since I'm composing at the keyboard.
 
It is in general response to the various comments about Pep Bands,
specifically (though not exclusively) the tendency of some bands to "schmooz"
hometown fans in "neutral" sites.
 
First, do you believe there is an effect?  No, seriously!  Do bands, or even
fans for that matter, affect a team's performance?  Empirically, "home ice"
is worth something in the CHODR and other statistics.  So what causes it?
 
- Physical things, like grooming your team for the rink (e.g., NoDak's big
physical teams of the Gino years when they played on one of the smallest
rinks in college hockey)?
- Physiological things like meals at the training table instead of Burger
King and the lack of riding in a bus, or noise against the visitors (though
that may be more applicable to steroid-ball)?
- Psychological things like desire to perform before the home crowd, or (here
it is!) because of the exhortions of the local faithful?
 
To the extent you believe that fans have a positive effect, and (here's
another '"if") that Pep Bands assist in the organized/increased expression of
that support, you have to believe that anything fans (bands) do to get
otherwise neutral observers to root either for your team or against your
team's opponents is beneficial.  If not, why do you go to hockey games?
 
- The seats are comfortable and the food is great
- Better than anything else I had to do
- I missed out on <X> (insert some big event, like the '80 win over USSR, at
the X) and I want to be able to say "I was there" in case something really
important happens
- I'm a sheep...everyone else goes, so I follow (why is it so cold in those
arenas anyway?)
 
This is a little tongue in cheek (duh), but is a question worth asking.  I
know Michigan's band won't schmooz, and I don't remember Wisconsin's band
playing "Hail to the Victors" at the Joe in '90 either.  Maybe schmoozing is
left to the small schools?  or just those who have no obvious rivalry with
the home town favorite.  (Y'know, and I'll get hammered for this, I don't
even know Minnesota's fight song... either the words or the melody)
 
Steve G
Wisconsin '84
Miami (is in Ohio, dammit) '95
 
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