We walked from the Hilton back to the Knick in plenty of time. Since
we had already found our section, the only trouble know would be
finding out seats. During the first game, no one cared who sat exactly
where in the Badger section. For the Wisconsin-Michigan game, we
expected (and got) a bigger turnout, so we had to make sure we knew our
seats.
I had a single ticket in section 108, Row P, seat 8. My friends from
the bus, Ron, Sue and Mike, and P 1-3, so I moved to seat 4, and asked
4-7 to move over one. No problem.
THE BAND moves
--------------
The Wisconsin Varsity Band was located in the corner, by the glass when
we came in, and lead us in a nice pre-game concert and pep rally.
Shortly after the game began, they all left, moving up to the upper
section.
I asked later, and heard two versions of what happened: The Coach
requested that the band be down low, near the bench (They weren't right
next to the bench, but they were down low, in the corner). Version 1
is that the NCAA approved. Version 2 is that the boosters had to buy
tickets for them, since they already had tickets for the upper
section.
Apparently the NCAA either changed their mind, or never approved,
because they got rousted to the upper section as soon as the game
began. Later, they got rousted again, having to move three rows up,
"to be fair to the Michigan Band" who were three rows highter at their
end.
While on the subject of bands, the NC$$ is over-regulating the game.
Only 26 players are allowed to play at any one time. Wisconsin sent
two band busses to Detroit, but because of the new rule, only one band
bus to Albany. They brought 30 musicians, plus about 10 more showed up
(including our friend from the bus, who played a few numbers on a
borrowed trombone). The extras rotated in to give the others a break.
PHIL and MARYLOU
----------------
Upon getting seating, we immediatly discovered that Phil and Marylou
were sitting right behind us. At the time, we didn't know them by name,
but knew who they were. Phil is a guy who has been going to the games
for a long time, and is a self-appointed cheer leader. He has several
sets of signs, of which 2 got used in Albany:
- "Count Score" which leads the "1, 2, 3, ... we want more" cheer.
- "GO" and "RED" for the "GO" -- "RED" cheer
Both of these are done at the Coliseum as one side of the rink vs. the
other (we used to also do "tastes great" and "less filling" but that
one is dead). Since we didn't have both sides of the rink, Phil tried
upper vs. lower and left vs right. Left vs. right worked better.
For the "1, 2, 3... we want more" cheer, Marylou and the other people
who sit with them at home hold up signs with the numbers, from their
seats. For this game, Mike and I helped out. We went with Phil down to
the front of the aisle in the corner, and he held up the "Count Score"
and we held up the numbers ... it was fun! (We waited until a time
out, and then had to wait for the band -- you just can't compete with
the Badger Band!)
We went down to do the cheer towards the end of the period -- and
Wisconsin scored again before we could lead the cheer, so we had
to wait until the next period!
MIKE SERTICH LEADS THE BAND
---------------------------
Duluth Coach Mike Sertich fulfilled his long dream to conduct the
Wisconsin Band by leading them during the second intermission. I'm not
sure, he might have conducted for the "Bud Song."
A BADGER WIN!
-------------
The Badgers finally pulled out the victory -- and I have never seem
them play as effective team defense as they did down the stretch in the
third period against Michigan.
In the post-game celebration, Bucky took the red Wisconsin flag out,
expecting that a player would take it ... instead, since no one else
did, Coach Sauer, who is usually very reserved, took the flag with a
HUGE smile on his face.
The team left the ice, and as we were congratulating them, we heard
them say "60 more minutes" and "one more game" --- they knew it wasn't
over, but the goal was within reach.
CELEBRATING
-----------
We went to this hole-in-the-wall bar on Pearl Street, "The Olympic,"
were I thought Ron was going to get into a fight with a Minnesota
fan.... Paul and I left on a trek to get money from a cash machine (it
was 5 blocks down and 5 blocks up, not 3 down and 1/2 up!)... when we
got back, the Minnesota fan was sitting at the bar with Ron, drinking
beer and talking hockey.
We then moved on, because Mike needed dinner. The kitchen at the
Fountain Too was closed, so we went across the street to Murphy's, a
very nice Irish bar. The bartender, whose name I forgot, had been there
a week, and was also supposed to cook, but the cook was still there,
helping her out. The spicy wings were FANTASTIC. I bought the cook a
beer (that's what he wanted), since he was not getting paid (he got off
at 9pm). We had them put "Go Big Red" on the write-on board were they
put the specials.
We left somewhat early, taking a cab back to the Sheraton. At the bar
there, everyone was having a good time. Debbie the bartender had (so
far) made $300 in tips. Later, as she was begining to close up, the
found that someone had left her a $100 tip, and $20 for her sister,
the waitress.
I went to bed, happy and tired.
--david
--------
david parter university of wisconsin -- madison
[log in to unmask] computer sciences department