2008 Woodie Awards
Out of Bounds, a Sports Commentary
They call this a hockey town? Start showing it!
Ryan Hayner
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
Originally published: 3/6/08 at 4:24 PM EST
Last update: 3/6/08 at 4:22 PM EST
The banner hovers above the arena, challenging opponents to test their luck on the Plattsburgh State home ice.
"Cardinal Country."
When an opposing team skates onto the ice at the Stafford Ice Arena, they are going against year-in-and-year-out some of the best hockey teams in men's and women's Division III hockey.
In the past, entering Cardinal Country meant facing upward of 3,500 die-hard fans decked out in red, white and black, screaming at the top of their lungs in support of the team they loved.
What happened to that?
At the SUNYAC championship against arch-nemesis Oswego (how much bigger of a game outside of an NCAA championship game can you get?) the Oswego fans were constantly standing, cheering and were generally louder than the Cardinal faithful.
In this so-called "hockey town," the recent basketball games have drawn a more energetic, spirited crowd. There has even been a crew of students who don chest-paint to spell out "Go Cardinals."
There was a group of chest-painters at the Oswego-PSUC hockey championship, but those colors were Laker green and white.
There is little doubt in my mind Plattsburgh loves its hockey. There is a devoted following that has continued to impress me.
But why so quiet?
When an opposing team's fans are the loudest thing in the building, something is wrong.
Cardinal fans - drown them out! When they stand, you stand. When they cheer, you cheer louder. Don't let an opposing fanbase come into your territory and out-cheer you. The game spoke for itself, and Cardinal hockey team sent the Lakers home empty-handed. But during the game, it was far too quiet.
The Sibley "gym"
After a recent intramural floor hockey game, a friend of mine was lounging about with an ice pack around his knee. It wasn't game-related, it was floor-related. The slippery Sibley gym floor claimed another victim.
It's a perfect place to play hockey, seeing as how the floor has more of a feel of ice and of a gym court. You slide, you slip and you try and make a tight cut and you'll probably end up in the hospital.
Isn't it time to upgrade the facility? The Stafford Ice Arena is undergoing plans for renovations to fix safety concerns. Shouldn't the same be done to Sibley? Not to mention, there is also a leak in the roof as of Wednesday.
Playing basketball there is an absolute nightmare, especially if your game is a lot about speed and quickly changing direction. Considering Memorial Hall is often occupied, a hardwood floor in Sibley would give a legit second option for students.
"Cardinal Country."
When an opposing team skates onto the ice at the Stafford Ice Arena, they are going against year-in-and-year-out some of the best hockey teams in men's and women's Division III hockey.
In the past, entering Cardinal Country meant facing upward of 3,500 die-hard fans decked out in red, white and black, screaming at the top of their lungs in support of the team they loved.
What happened to that?
At the SUNYAC championship against arch-nemesis Oswego (how much bigger of a game outside of an NCAA championship game can you get?) the Oswego fans were constantly standing, cheering and were generally louder than the Cardinal faithful.
In this so-called "hockey town," the recent basketball games have drawn a more energetic, spirited crowd. There has even been a crew of students who don chest-paint to spell out "Go Cardinals."
There was a group of chest-painters at the Oswego-PSUC hockey championship, but those colors were Laker green and white.
There is little doubt in my mind Plattsburgh loves its hockey. There is a devoted following that has continued to impress me.
But why so quiet?
When an opposing team's fans are the loudest thing in the building, something is wrong.
Cardinal fans - drown them out! When they stand, you stand. When they cheer, you cheer louder. Don't let an opposing fanbase come into your territory and out-cheer you. The game spoke for itself, and Cardinal hockey team sent the Lakers home empty-handed. But during the game, it was far too quiet.
The Sibley "gym"
After a recent intramural floor hockey game, a friend of mine was lounging about with an ice pack around his knee. It wasn't game-related, it was floor-related. The slippery Sibley gym floor claimed another victim.
It's a perfect place to play hockey, seeing as how the floor has more of a feel of ice and of a gym court. You slide, you slip and you try and make a tight cut and you'll probably end up in the hospital.
Isn't it time to upgrade the facility? The Stafford Ice Arena is undergoing plans for renovations to fix safety concerns. Shouldn't the same be done to Sibley? Not to mention, there is also a leak in the roof as of Wednesday.
Playing basketball there is an absolute nightmare, especially if your game is a lot about speed and quickly changing direction. Considering Memorial Hall is often occupied, a hardwood floor in Sibley would give a legit second option for students.
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