Sports adventures: Ritter Arena

I’m pretty proud of the tag I have on here called “sports adventures.” There’s only four posts tagged with that line right now (this being the fifth), but basically whenever I go to a sporting event and decide to write something about it, I use that tag. Examples of this are the Strasburg game in Buffalo and the trip I took over the summer to Rochester for Bills camp and a Rochester Red Wings baseball game.

These days I’m at more games as a reporter than a fan, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun. Let’s clarify that–I love what I do and I always enjoy covering games, but once in a while it’s nice not to have to worry about doing reporter-ly things the entire game.

Last Friday when the Canisius hockey team took on RIT, Rich and I made the trip. Rich is the hockey beat writer for The Griffin Newspaper at Canisius College, and blogs about the team here.

After an interesting trip to a wallet-friendly but inner-city McDonald’s, we  got on the I-90 and drove. This was a big game for both teams. A win would put RIT in sole possession of first place in Atlantic Hockey, while a win for Canisius would have tied them for first with Robert Morris.

The Griffs and the Tigers are becoming bitter rivals in the AHA. Niagara coming into the league this year gave all Canisius fans a team to hate, but RIT is a pretty close second. The Griffs have struggled mightily against RIT, but there have been some heated games between the sides (see below if you don’t believe me).

Ever since that game, Canisius-RIT meetings have had a little extra fire to them; everybody just goes a little harder.

Apparently, that includes RIT fans.

I was sitting in Ritter Arena’s minuscule press box, but I think that was for the best. I wouldn’t have made it out alive pulling for the Blue and Gold.

There were a lot of them, they were vicious and they were organized. They let Canisius players have it from start to finish, making for (as much as I hate to say it) an incredible hockey atmosphere.

I’m no stranger to Tiger hockey supporters after last year’s Atlantic Hockey semifinal between Canisius and RIT at BlueCross Arena, but this was really unexpected. On the drive in, I mentioned to Rich that the Griffs had probably caught a break playing in RIT on the last day of exams, when most students probably would have already gone home for Christmas.

I’ll be honest, I underestimated them.

Students stayed behind, simply because this was the Canisius game. Half of me wants to take a shot and them and say, “Well when this is your only D1 sport…” but honestly I’m too jealous of them be mad. I wish my school had fans this intense.

See those bleachers? Me too.

A sellout crowd of 2,100 strong packed into the small, awkward arena. It looks like it should seat a lot more than it does. It’s hard to tell from the picture, but the benches are actually on opposite sides from each other, not side by side.

If you aren’t ready for that it will mess with your mind, which is exactly what RIT wants. Their fan base is a true sixth man, and you really have to be focused when you go in there.

I was especially impressed with the way everyone in the stadium was on the same page. From the national anthem quintet to the entire student section yelling “You suck” when opponents’ names are called (which I always thought was kind of funny), Ritter Arena was a complete hockey experience.

The moment this was highlighted for me was during the first intermission.

They had a blimp floating around the stadium.

A little blimp. I have a picture of it on my phone but it didn’t come out well. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Rich turned back to me and we both said the thing: “They have a blimp!”

Our cheerleaders can throw t-shirts and our students will harass the other team. But this is what makes RIT what it is, and is only another example of why Canisius is step behind.

When they turned off the lights before the game and announced everyone’s name, I could only imagine being a potential high school junior recruit at the game. If I went to see RIT play, it would go a long way towards making me want to go there. If I went to Niagara, I would see a nice double-surface ice rink. When I looked at Canisius… I would get on a bus to go to the game at a college down the street.

That brings out the fact that Canisius needs an ice rink on campus, but until then, other aspects can be worked on. One of them is showing up at games. The listed attendance for the Canisius-Niagara game this year was 1,421. When Niagara hosted RIT, they got 1,850 to show up.

It’s a well-known fact that more people will come to watch a team when it wins, but this also requires full participation from the college. My experience with the shuttle service to games this year was not a pleasant one. Everyone I needed help from at RIT was knowledgeable and, although they probably didn’t like me, was willing to help.

How about a pep band? At the MAAC basketball tournament last year, Canisius was the only school without one, and in a related note, was the quietest during games. RIT’s band is very big, very loud and full of spirit. They all wear RIT jerseys. Every single band member. Intimidation by organization.

There’s clearly a difference between a perennial title contender and a school with a few really good players. But it feels like when you have this level of dedication and commitment, the rest will follow.

The RIT Corner Crew’s Facebook page promises that they will be “loud and obnoxious at hockey games.” As much as I agree with both of those adjectives, the latter in particular, I must say, I want what they have.