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Hockey Fans Fight for Fans
By Audrey Christopher
Broadside Staff Writer
As the puck dropped at center ice, a meager crowd cheered
on the George Mason University ice hockey club. The team faced
off against league rival Virginia Tech Friday night. The
under-advertised, yet talented, team defeated the Hokies in
front of a small crowd of friends and family.
The Patriots dominated the first period, leading 3-0 at the
close with 14 shots on goal, compared to the Hokies’ paltry
four. Virginia Tech increased momentum in the second period,
sweeping the period by scoring a goal and raising their shots
total to 24. In the third period, the Hokies competed fiercely
for the lead, but Mason retaliated and scored another goal,
taking the game at 4-1.
Unknown to many in the community, Mason has had an ice
hockey club for five years, playing in the Mason-Dixon League
as a Division III team. Recently, the team was elected to play
in the Division II level of the Atlantic Coast Conference
which, according to its Web site, has a long-term goal of
promoting its club teams to NCAA varsity status. The ACC plays
other club-level teams such as North Carolina, Georgetown,
Duke, Virginia Tech, NC State and the University of Virginia.
Currently, the team sits in fifth place in the conference
and expects that the win against Virginia Tech will give them
an automatic bid to the American Hockey Coaches Association
Championships.
The team suffers from a lack of crowd support, drawing
mostly parents, girlfriends and fraternity brothers, according
to forward Jimmy Dowd. Many people do not even know that Mason
has an ice hockey team because they have practices and games
late at night at the Skatequest Ice Arena in Woodbridge,
according to defenseman Patrick Ross.
“Fan support is by far the most important thing,” Assistant
Coach John Dagley said.
A handful of Mason students who attended the game Friday
thought that the hockey team needed the support.
“The importance of having fans is to garner support. If
there are no fans, there is nothing to play for,” junior Matt
Gravely said. Junior Brian Chapman agreed. “Every team needs
fans regardless of size,” he said.
Holding a sign that said, “Marry Me #14,” the Mason
students yelled and cheered for their friend, forward John
Freeman.
Sophomore fan Sasha Gonchoroff said, “Mason is developing,
and it’s important to respect that.”
Virginia Tech Head Coach Michael Spradlin thought it was a
tough loss for his team. “Mason is a great team with a great
program. It’s good to have Mason in the league.”
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