Thursday, February 26, 2015
Saluting Student Sections
Three crowds, three conferences, one state: media acclaim for adding to college hockey’s unique atmosphere.
Players and fans are well aware of the important role student sections play in setting the tone at college hockey rinks and contributing to what makes the sport so unique. In the last week, multiple media outlets have spotlighted those college hockey crowds, with a focus on three rinks – from three conferences – all in the state of Michigan.
Canada’s largest sports network, TSN, posted a story on its BarDown web site entitled What Canada can learn from NCAA hockey. Writer Daniel Zakrzewski visited Ferris State’s Ewigleben Ice Arena and was blown away by the Dawg Pound.
“Electric didn’t even begin to describe the atmosphere inside the small but cozy confines of the Ewigleben,” Zakrzewski writes.
As the opposing Bowling Green Falcons skated onto the ice, the student section situated to my left, affectionately titled “the Dawg Pound”, booed with the strength of 500 sets of vocal chords, but came off sounding closer to 5,000. Brutus, the Ferris State mascot ran laps around the arena, while a student alumni member dressed as an ape energetically lead the Dawg Pound in a strong willed chant of “F-S-U”, with the students adding some percussion to the roaring crowd noise, stomping their feet so hard that you could probably hear the clattering of wood from outside of the arena.
Zakrzewski takes special note of the pep band, noting that with their help, “an entire arena can spring to life in a matter of seconds.”
Lawson Lunatics
Not far south from Big Rapids, where Ferris State is located, lies Kalamazoo, Mich., and the Western Michigan Broncos. At Lawson Ice Arena, the “Lawson Lunatics,” as the student section is known, has been making visiting teams uncomfortable and cheering on the Broncos for years.
Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald took a look at the challenging setting for visitors in advance of last weekend’s UND-WMU series.
“We have the best atmosphere in college hockey,” Broncos head coach Andy Murray told Schlossman. “I think our players know that. I think our opponents know that. And certainly, everybody that comes to this building is amazed by the energy. So playing in front of this kind of crowd and with this opponent that’s coming in, with North Dakota being as good as they are, our fans are going to be excited.”
UND ended up sweeping the series, though it’s doubtful that will dampen the Lunatics’ spirit when Minnesota Duluth visits next weekend.
Children of Yost
Moving east across the state of Michigan, the Wolverines’ student section at Yost Ice Arena is dubbed the “Children of Yost.” Zach Shaw of the student newspaper, the Michigan Daily, delved into what makes the group so special in a story published Monday.
The group has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s best student sections through support of Michigan players – like flying a Swedish flag for Carl Hagelin – and harrassing opponents. Opposing goalies, in particular, tend to feel the wrath of the crowd.
Head coach Red Berenson’s team has certainly benefited from Yost’s friendly confines. The Wolverines are 10-2-0 at home this season and 4-8-0 in opponents’ rinks (3-1-0 at neutral sites).
“It’s the sound, the students, the band, the sightlines, the other team can get that uneasy feeling,” Berenson told Shaw. “Our team gets this confidence that’s really special, and all of a sudden, you’re better than you were last week because you’re at home.
“I can tell you, we wouldn’t be the same team or program without our student section.”