Is Findlay Hockeytown?
Hockeytown South?
Nope. Findlay is not Hockeytown.
Don’t get me wrong there is a hardcore base of hockey fans in Findlay. There are those who grew up playing the game here and elsewhere and there are those who have kids involved with the sport.
And there is room at the table of plenty for everyone, hockey included. And it’s better that kids play hockey than not do anything at all. I would imagine by looking at the FAHA website I figure there are about 15 youth hockey teams based in Findlay. Not too bad but it doesn’t nearly approach the number of area kids that are involved with youth baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, swimming.
If Findlay was Hockeytown both rinks in town The Cube and the Koehler Center sheet would be jammed. I was in the Koehler Center one day last week and the ice there was dark.
If Findlay was Hockeytown the Division I teams at the University of Findlay would have probably survived. But then again, I’m not sure why they even added hockey other than the men’s coach was UF president Zirkle’s son in law.
As hard as they try I don’t think the local “professional” hockey team the Findlay Freedom will ever draw more than 300 fans a game. Even if they promise a fight per period, the number of people in the area willing to shell out $8 bucks a ticket to watch just isn’t there. If you are a hockey fan you can watch NHL games in the comfort of your own home.
The high school team, though, has a pretty good fan base following and because of the youth teams in the area has a bright future. Plus, the renovations to The Cube were terrific and much needed.
I’m not downing hockey in Findlay, I’m just jealous that I can’t skate.
NOTEWORTHY:
TUESDAY HOOPS: What’s up? Back in the day when I was in school lots of boys basketball was played on Tuesday nights. I took a look at today’s schedule and there were only 4 games from the eight area conferences surrounding the Findlay area on tonight’s slate. Why did schools go away from Tuesday night games? Anyone have the answer?
EQUAL TIME: I’m not a big fan of Title IX, you know the federal law that mandates equal treatment for the sexes in academics but is only applied to athletics. The BVC is one of the only area conferences not to give the girls their time in the sun on Friday nights. There are wrestling matches, hockey games and even some swim meets on Friday nights now. Why doesn’t the BVC give the girls at least one Friday night to themselves during the season. Try it and see how it works.
NEWSWORTHY:
NW Ohio Wrestling Newslinks and Results
UF selects Wauford as new football coach
Findlay Courier Tuesday Local Sports
Carey Blue Devils dump Raiders
Bettsville rallies but falls to Northwood
Wynford gets in the swim
Ottoville boys get big win over Columbus Grove
Ottoville girls crush Bluffton
Kalida edges Jefferson 34-33
Defiance Crescent News Sports
O-G grads getting it done in college
Shelby girls beat Upper in OT
Tiffin Advertiser Tribune Monday Sports
Jeff Lee steps down as Clay football coach
Fostoria Review Times Tuesday Sports
Nope. Findlay is not Hockeytown.
Don’t get me wrong there is a hardcore base of hockey fans in Findlay. There are those who grew up playing the game here and elsewhere and there are those who have kids involved with the sport.
And there is room at the table of plenty for everyone, hockey included. And it’s better that kids play hockey than not do anything at all. I would imagine by looking at the FAHA website I figure there are about 15 youth hockey teams based in Findlay. Not too bad but it doesn’t nearly approach the number of area kids that are involved with youth baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, wrestling, swimming.
If Findlay was Hockeytown both rinks in town The Cube and the Koehler Center sheet would be jammed. I was in the Koehler Center one day last week and the ice there was dark.
If Findlay was Hockeytown the Division I teams at the University of Findlay would have probably survived. But then again, I’m not sure why they even added hockey other than the men’s coach was UF president Zirkle’s son in law.
As hard as they try I don’t think the local “professional” hockey team the Findlay Freedom will ever draw more than 300 fans a game. Even if they promise a fight per period, the number of people in the area willing to shell out $8 bucks a ticket to watch just isn’t there. If you are a hockey fan you can watch NHL games in the comfort of your own home.
The high school team, though, has a pretty good fan base following and because of the youth teams in the area has a bright future. Plus, the renovations to The Cube were terrific and much needed.
I’m not downing hockey in Findlay, I’m just jealous that I can’t skate.
NOTEWORTHY:
TUESDAY HOOPS: What’s up? Back in the day when I was in school lots of boys basketball was played on Tuesday nights. I took a look at today’s schedule and there were only 4 games from the eight area conferences surrounding the Findlay area on tonight’s slate. Why did schools go away from Tuesday night games? Anyone have the answer?
EQUAL TIME: I’m not a big fan of Title IX, you know the federal law that mandates equal treatment for the sexes in academics but is only applied to athletics. The BVC is one of the only area conferences not to give the girls their time in the sun on Friday nights. There are wrestling matches, hockey games and even some swim meets on Friday nights now. Why doesn’t the BVC give the girls at least one Friday night to themselves during the season. Try it and see how it works.
NEWSWORTHY:
NW Ohio Wrestling Newslinks and Results
UF selects Wauford as new football coach
Findlay Courier Tuesday Local Sports
Carey Blue Devils dump Raiders
Bettsville rallies but falls to Northwood
Wynford gets in the swim
Ottoville boys get big win over Columbus Grove
Ottoville girls crush Bluffton
Kalida edges Jefferson 34-33
Defiance Crescent News Sports
O-G grads getting it done in college
Shelby girls beat Upper in OT
Tiffin Advertiser Tribune Monday Sports
Jeff Lee steps down as Clay football coach
Fostoria Review Times Tuesday Sports
posted by --J-- @ 8:40 AM
5 Comments:
At 7:32 PM,
Anonymous said…
One of hockey's downfall's (other than it's expensive) is it's smothering. I know some families that have kids that play hockey and its virtually a 10 month commitment. Many hockey players do nothing else but play hockey, and I don't think that good for the kid. Volleyball and soccer are getting just as bad, but hockey set the tone.
As for Tuesday basketball, I don't like weekday games, you're rushed getting home from work and you get home late, especially the away team. I'm guessing coaches don't like them because you basically have one day (Monday) to prepare.
It makes no sense to me to have flip the girls and boys games on Thursday and Friday nights. Do you think you get the same crowd on Friday for the boys and girls? I'm guessing not, but that's never mentioned, because it would be considered discrimination.
At 5:20 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hockey is a cold version of soccer, both are boring. Ohh, wow we won, 2-1! Boring sports.
At 7:31 PM,
Anonymous said…
I like hockey and I hope to make it to a game or two this winter. But I do not go to basketball games either. But the comment about a score of 2-1 is just the same as 14-7 in football. One team scored twice and the other one only once. Each sport has their own scoring system.
At 4:19 AM,
Anonymous said…
Its rare to have a football game end up 14-7, very common for a 2-1 hockey or soccer game. I cannot remember the last time a football game ended 0-0 at end of game. Common in soccer and hockey.
At 11:55 AM,
--J-- said…
Travel Hockey is smothering and if you have other kids in other activities...I can't even imagine there's much time for family time in there somewhere.
The season starts in Oct. and ends in March. To me for a kid, that's too much.
As for the Friday nigth girls games...that's one of the reason the BVC doesn't do it a feared loss of revenue. Plus the conference is very conservative and slow to change much like the entire county in all aspects.
Hey at least the Findlay Freedom spices things up with a couple of fights every game.
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