In article <[log in to unmask]>
 [log in to unmask] writes:
>The Capital District (the graveyard of organized sports) like the Minneapolis
>metropolitan area supports its collegiate teams (RPI and Union) quite well,
>but stays away in droves from its AHL franchise, the Capital District
>Islanders.  What makes it more interesting is that both RPI and the Islanders
>play in the same building.  And the Islanders are playing good hockey,
>currently in first place in their division.  However they currently average
>only 2000 fans per game.  Ticket prices are similar, with single game tickets
     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Actually, most of the games that I've been to this year have been much lower
than 2,000.  In fact, I think the Islanders' are having a good night when they
have 2,000.  I remember last year the attendance was a bit better but this
year it has dropped to below 1500 per game or so.
 
I think this can be attributed to the generally rough (more than normal) play
of the Islanders and the numerous fights that seem to break out.  I don't
understand why the AHL hasn't learned from the NHL and cut back on the
fighting.  I've noticed that their are still the dedicated fans who show up
to every game but the parents with their children have become sparser.  I've
heard rumors that the Islanders will be changing their name next year to try
and attract more fans.
 
>for either costing about $10, the exception being the availability of 2 fers
>for the Islanders, and the much better seat availablity for the AHL franchise.
>RPI in contrast averages around 4,000 per game.
>
>The difference in support stems from RPI's steady alumni support.  While
>the students fill about half of the Fieldhouse, the alumni fills much of the
>rest.  The remaining seats are usually comprised of dedicated fans who have
>held season tickets for years, well before the arrival of professional hockey.
 
I think a great deal of this can also be attributed to the fact that a good
portion of the students (and probably some of the alumni) aren't HOCKEY fans.
Many students attend simply because their friends do.  I don't know how many
times I've had to explain some of the simplest rules over and over to people
who sit around me.  This isn't to say that these people don't belong at these
games and only those of us who like hockey should attend.  Rather, it's an
explanation as to why these same people don't come out to support the Isles'.
Another reason is money.  While students can get tickets to Isles' game for
$5, many (like myself) don't have that much money to spend two or three times
a week, not to mention the time.
 
>I would suspect then that tradition provides the major base of support for
>collegiate hockey, especially in smaller metropolitan areas.
 
Good point.  I've seen many older people who show up to RPI games as a matter
of "tradition".  Especially the one guy who sits in Section 17 and always wear
his 70's outfit with the red hat and plaid bell bottoms. :-)  It's great to see
these people!
 
>                    _
>            "NYS   // Hockey"
>        Go 'Gate  //   Brian Morris
>          Go RPI //      Albany, NY
>          ______// [log in to unmask]
>         (______/
 
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Daniel Orchard-Hays        Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute             '95
"Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin."
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