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http://www.madison.com/tct/blogs/icehouse/225093

I was surprised to read this article sent to me by a friend in Madison. Without a facility the Women's Badger Hockey team leads the nation in attendance.

With the great Ridder facility all the girls we have playing youth hockey and HS hockey every game should be a standing room only event. I know no coaching can get across what a player sees, learns and experiences watching one college hockey game, speed, puck movement, physical play....I don't know the answers but expanding fan base is one of the next steps to help the game move to the next level.

joehockey wrote:http://www.madison.com/tct/blogs/icehouse/225093

I was surprised to read this article sent to me by a friend in Madison. Without a facility the Women's Badger Hockey team leads the nation in attendance.

With the great Ridder facility all the girls we have playing youth hockey and HS hockey every game should be a standing room only event. I know no coaching can get across what a player sees, learns and experiences watching one college hockey game, speed, puck movement, physical play....I don't know the answers but expanding fan base is one of the next steps to help the game move to the next level.

It certainly helps when you win back-to-back NCAA titles! My guess is that the Gophers would be ahead of the Badgers if they were defending national champs two years running.

Fan attendance has much more to do with what other activities are available to sports fans. Madison does not have a professional football, basketball, hockey or baseball team. Sports fans must look to the University, for which there also is only one. As there is a rich tradition of hockey excellence in WI, the carry over to Women's hockey is a natural extension. Add to that the case that the Women's coach is one of the most beloved ex-players, who is the son of one of the most beloved coaches of all time--Badger Bob, and you have a recipe for success.

BTW, it is my understanding that WI has plans to build a women's arena in the next few years. The Minn advantage will be no longer.

I was surprised at this myself. Nothing like an outstanding team / product to put fans in the seats. The planned arena should indeed be a real boon for the Badgers...not that I think they're in particular need of one...a boon that is...not an arena. I like to see the women have a home of their very own.

Always liked Kohl tho...very nice & comfy.

Thunderbird is right on the money. In the Boston area there are so many options for entertainment, and allegiances follow suit with some 200 plus schools, that a women's team is lucky to draw 200. Add to the fact that your main market is the youth hockey player, who most likely has a game at the same time as the college team, and you get small turnouts.

wisconsin did not have that big of an edge. Minnesota was leading attendance by about 3000. Then wisconsin's quarterfinal ncaa game drew 5000. Minnesota didn't get a tourney game. The better team hosted a tourney game and won the attendance race by 2000 as a result.

If one thinks the xcel is an empty cavern for the girls hs tourney try the kohl - same capacity with smaller crowds.

Hopefully attendance records will continue to be broken for all levels of womens hockey.

There are also 5 Women's DIII teams in the metro area, 4 more within an hour and a half drive, 4 more DI teams in the state, and by latest count 63 HS teams in the Twin Cities' area alone. I don't think the Badgers have much competition for the girls/women's hockey fan in Madison.

They serve free beer at the Kohl's Center

Free beer is always a plus.

Wisconsin has lots and lots of reduced price and free admissions. For example, I believe that they have a "birthday party" promotion every Saturday after which all in attendance are admitted to the game free of charge.

I am required to add that there are lots of reduced price admissions at Ridder too but most of the people in the building have paid at least something to get admitted.

Conclusion: Both Universities are padding their attendance totals. Wisconsin is padding theirs more.