The men’s ice hockey team currently represents RPI’s only Division I sport. As such, people might expect a lot of student support for the team. However, attendance statistics for the Houston Field House show that during the last few games the rink has only been filled to half capacity. This is unfortunate. The members of this team have already put in hours of hard work into their season so far this year, which has resulted in a winning 4-2-1 record.
Even before this season, hockey has been the source of many long standing traditions at RPI, including the hockey line and the annual Big Red Freakout. However, in recent years, support for historically well-attended events has seen shrinking student participation. Members of the men’s hockey team have said they would like to see more of the large and rambunctious crowds so often seen at the Freakout. Forward Oren Eizenman said after 2003 Freakout that the crowds bring a new level of energy to the arena and the team. They hype up the Engineers and intimidate unlucky visitors.
And while many students continue to complain that there’s nothing to do around campus on weekends, the field house remains at half capacity. The cost for students to attend games is only four dollars, it’s just a short walk from campus, and there’s still plenty of time to go out after the game is over. Still, people are complaining that there’s nothing to do.
As the women’s team gets ready to make the momentous move from Division III to Division I, we can only hope that the student support that helped move them to the next level will be matched with those same people attending their games. Since there’s no checking, the women’s game is smoother and faster than what is seen in a more physical men’s game. People have even said that because of this, the women’s games are more exciting than the men’s games; still, attendance remains dismal.
This Friday is one of the Athletics Department’s attempts to regain much of the school spirit that previously exuded from hockey: the second annual Black Friday game. Last year Black Friday and Freakout were the team’s only two sellout games, both resulted in wins. The students are crucial to our team’s successes. Both the women’s and men’s teams have asked for support and flourished when given it. More support for all of our athletics teams is in order.
