Best Atmosphere

[starmvp]

Am I the only one who thinks that the size of student sections has declined greatly since the 80's and 90's? Is it because of the new reputation hockey players have in their schools? Opinions?

Agreed, but I think the economy, and the price they charge the students to get into the games has a lot to do with it. My kid can get a sports pass to all other games except hockey for about $20 bucks.

Very good point

[karl(east)]

Am I the only one who thinks that the size of student sections has declined greatly since the 80's and 90's? Is it because of the new reputation hockey players have in their schools? Opinions?

Agreed, but I think the economy, and the price they charge the students to get into the games has a lot to do with it. My kid can get a sports pass to all other games except hockey for about $20 bucks.

Very good point

A few other things that come to mind:

-High-achievement culture that pushes kids into many activities--many students don't have the free time to go to a hockey game.
-Huge high schools: in a school with 3,000 students, many may never get to know hockey players well.
-More "tracking" in high schools: while generally shown to be good for academics, taking classes with only people of similar academic capabilities may again limit exposure to other sorts of students.
-Some of the lager schools have great reputations in other sports, meaning hockey doesn't reign supreme as it does at, say, Roseau.
-Being a varsity hockey player at a major high school program these days is usually a year round commitment--again, there's less time to mingle with other groups.

I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons, but we don't exactly live in a society where values like "community" and "school spirit" garner much appreciation. Sure, we pay lip service to them, but for many they seem to be optional things that people only focus on once they're done with their own busy lives.

[Hawkyfan70]

You know what game would have a great atmosphere??
Hermantown vs Duluth East at Amsoil

[Cujo]

I dont know if your counting playoffs or not but if you are, the section 3A finals at Gustavus Don Roberts arena is always fun to watch. Sure its section 3A but whatever schools are in the finals pack the stands full with around 1500-2000 people and the chants go back and forth. The place echoes too!

https://gustavus.edu/athletics/whky/arc ... 2a_000.jpg

[almostashappy]

I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons, but we don't exactly live in a society where values like "community" and "school spirit" garner much appreciation. Sure, we pay lip service to them, but for many they seem to be optional things that people only focus on once they're done with their own busy lives.

I agree, although this seems to speak more towards the community's support of a hockey team than the declining sizes of student sections. It definitely helps when there is a strong link between school and community...when, for example, everyone who lives in that community sends their kids to the same high school (which also bears the community's name). As opposed to some suburbs who are split between 3 different school districts and 4 different high schools.

As for declining student sections, I vote for tough academic workloads and high ticket prices as the main factors. It also helps when the students are allowed to act like students...or at least are allowed as much leeway as they are given at football games. For some reason, our local AD hovers over the hockey game student section and discourages anything stronger than polite clapping.

[TopBunk19]

infamous Bloomington Ice Gardens

[defense]

Agreed, but I think the economy, and the price they charge the students to get into the games has a lot to do with it. My kid can get a sports pass to all other games except hockey for about $20 bucks.

Very good point

A few other things that come to mind:

-High-achievement culture that pushes kids into many activities--many students don't have the free time to go to a hockey game.
-Huge high schools: in a school with 3,000 students, many may never get to know hockey players well.
-More "tracking" in high schools: while generally shown to be good for academics, taking classes with only people of similar academic capabilities may again limit exposure to other sorts of students.
-Some of the lager schools have great reputations in other sports, meaning hockey doesn't reign supreme as it does at, say, Roseau.
-Being a varsity hockey player at a major high school program these days is usually a year round commitment--again, there's less time to mingle with other groups.

I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons, but we don't exactly live in a society where values like "community" and "school spirit" garner much appreciation. Sure, we pay lip service to them, but for many they seem to be optional things that people only focus on once they're done with their own busy lives.

I don't have all the answers, but I know in our local school district it is two fold at least. The team has been declining #1, face it a lot of the student section is fair weather fans. Other reason is that they have joined a conference for all sports since the '90s and before when they were an independent in most everything. This means that a conference schedules boys basketball games against the same school on the same night...even in the same town as the hockey game...or other sports...up to three or four sports between the same schools on the same night.

[HockeyWatcher10]

White Bear vs Hill-Murray at Aldrich with the band playing. Don't think it was a sell-out but it was a cool atmosphere...felt like a sectional game...

The Section Championship games between White Bear and Hill-Murray at the Coliseum has a lot better atmosphere than at Aldrich. The place is always packed and the student sections are huge. Last years Championship game had the best atmosphere of any hockey game I have ever been to!