>Return-Path: <@MAINE.maine.edu:[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thu, 6 Feb 97 6:42:14 EST
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>From: "Ed Sczerba" <[log in to unmask]>
>Return-Receipt-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Cant post a message
>
>Having trouble sending the following :
>
>I am a hated - and dedicated Umaine fan who has held a UNH season
>ticket since the Crowders, Bobby Clark & Languay skated in the old Snively
>rink. I can attest that the energy which eminates from the student section
>back then, and now has only changed due to the larger size of the new Towse
>rink capacity of 6,100+.  What also has changed is where the students and
>their band are now seated.
>Back in Snively, the band centered themselves directly behind the visitors'
>bench and the students surrounded them. This was the designated general
>admission section. You can now imagine why the Boston teams hated to play in
>Snively - the cantations along with the student noise shattered the visiting
>coaches, especially during their timeouts. This tactic sold out the rink
>night after night, season after season and subsequently a bigger rink was
>built.
>I never was nor will be a UNH fan, but enjoy college hockey to its fullest,
>especially the Maine games. The UNH fans back then had some very long dry
>spells of less than .500 teams, but the team never did without fan support.
>UNH is now enjoying a winning record, and the noise really does help their
>team on the ice as Reg Cardinal has said. It is very obvious to me how the
>fan support has enhanced this program. Now, good begets good.
>
>Since the new arena completed last year, all season ticket holders cannot
>assume to get the same seats every season, they apply for them; but the
>students do continually position themselves in the general admission section
>behind the visiting goalie for the first and third periods. I get some very
>disturbed looks from UNH fans, probably from the Umaine garb I wear, but
>other than that, no one complains about the seating assignments; there are
>PLENTY of old timers who support UNH regardless of where they sit. The
>earlier one applies, the better the chances are of ones' seat selection(s).
>
>I feel Deron is right in recognizing the need to instill the energy back into
>not only the program, but in ALFOND. I think it comes down to HOW the
>distribution is done, not the obvious fact that something needs to be
>changed. I say : put the students where they will do the most for the
>program, and the guys who deserve the support on the ice will respond.
>
>
> ZERB
>
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