A conversation with Bill Schweizer

I spoke to the voice of the Bobcats, Bill Schweizer, about his experiences calling Quinnipiac sports before and after the construction of the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

An interview with a Quinnipiac sports fan

I spoke to Andrew Vazzano, a Quinnipiac sports fan, about his experiences at the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

Colvin brings the fun

What do you get when you combine the talents of a man with over 10 years of experience in Minor League Baseball entertainment and 10 students willing to work for him?  You get the “Fun Team,” Assistant Director of Athletic Promotions and Ticketing Stephen Colvin’s way of describing his workers and what he hopes to achieve night in and night out at the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

Colvin, a former employee of the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Class-A Short-Season affiliate of baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, works closely with his student interns during basketball and hockey games, promoting fan interaction in Quinnipiac athletics.

“The big thing is just to keep everybody involved,” Colvin said.  “And just with my experience in the last 10 years of working in minor league baseball, that pretty much set the stage for me because in baseball, you have to do something every half-inning.”

Colvin, who also works as a disc jockey on the side, has attended numerous meetings and seminars to help come up with forms of entertainment.

“I’m always kind of a student of the game, where I’m always trying to figure out what will be entertaining,” he said.

Colvin said he’s come up with original concepts involving the game of hockey.  He’s held many different types of shootouts on the ice during intermissions.

“We dress [the participants] up ridiculously with all of the equipment from head to toe, spin them around 10 times and then they have to get the puck in the goal,” he said.  “I don’t really care if they get it in the goal, I just want to see some comedy and them fall down and laugh because you have 3,300 people here trying to be entertained.”

Colvin also has contests during basketball games, usually involving a student making a layup, free throw shot and 3-pointer in the 30 seconds.

Colvin estimates that 80 percent of the games and contests he hosts at games have come from his work or based on his work during his experience from the last 10 years.

While the hockey games are most always sold out while school is in session, filling up the basketball side of the arena has been a struggle.

“It’s a hockey town.  It’s a hockey state,” Colvin said.  “Basketball is still a growing program.  Having coach (Tom) Moore come on board and rebuilding the roster, we’re doing lots of promotions and have been working with the student groups trying to increase attendance.”

As a result, Colvin has scheduled the biggest promotions for basketball games because there is typically a large draw of students wanting to see a traditionally nationally-ranked hockey program.  He said the biggest student crowd he’s ever had at a basketball game last year was for Irish Night, when all fans received a green Quinnipiac T-shirt.  This year, a gray long-sleeve T-shirt and a tailgating stool will be distributed.

“We’re not drawing where we need to start drawing, so that’s why we’re constantly doing different promotions and giveaways,” Colvin said.

Colvin tries to get feedback from his student workers, wanting to see what the word on campus is.

The arena has also been used for other events.  On Nov. 18, an open skate was held, drawing close to 90 students.  Moreover, the intramural basketball finals were held on Lender Court for the first time.

“It was the first time that we’ve actually opened the doors to the student body to do special events,” he said.  “Based on that success, I think there’s a chance to do some more in the future.

“The biggest thing with opening the doors to the arena, first and foremost is basketball and hockey and is creating a program that is entertaining for the fans and entertaining for the students.  Before this arena ever opened up, they never did giveaways.”

The construction of the TD Banknorth Sports Center, according to Colvin, has created much more attention to a school that is usually best known for its polling institute.

Scores of Quinnipiac sporting events have been displayed on ESPN’s rotating ribbon on the bottom of the screen, and some results of games have even been read on WFAN-AM in New York City.  Moore has also conducted interviews with Mike Francesa and his former partner Chris Russo on one of the most popular sports talk shows in the nation, “Mike and the Mad Dog.”

“Our sports information works very diligently, trying to get us out there and getting the word out,” Colvin said.  “Before this arena came here, there wasn’t that much to talk about.  It’s definitely a great tool for recruiting players.”

Despite the beauty of a new arena, it remains a challenge to get students to the games, mostly due to student apathy.

“There are 7,500 people on campus, and there are maybe 1,000 who are die-hard athletic fans, so there are a lot of people on campus that have never even been to the arena just because of their lack of interest,” he said.

Men’s ice hockey also has the benefit of having games on weekend nights, while men’s basketball is usually played early in the afternoon on Saturdays or on a weekday night when students could have classes.

Students could also be turned off by having to wait on lines for shuttle buses to and from the arena.

“In a perfect world, students will be able to park here,” Colvin said.  “Maybe that’s something that will happen next year when there’s more spots available.”

Colvin acknowledges it’s a hassle for seniors to come to the games because they have to park on campus and ride the shuttle bus to the arena.  300 new parking spots are being used this year, and a new parking garage is currently under construction.

Though the arena has faced growing pains, Colvin is happy to be doing something new.  He has worked for established organizations prior to joining the Quinnipiac athletic department, but he has never started somewhere in the beginning.

“I’ve been around in different avenues of professional sports, but I’ve never got an opportunity to open up a facility or open up a brand new stadium or an arena, so I was quick to jump on board with Quinnipiac,” he said.

“It’s exciting.  It’s exciting to come here and start something new and it’s exciting to work with the students on a regular basis and pick their brains and see what works and what doesn’t work.  I love the game atmosphere.”

Men’s basketball starting lineup

Below is video I shot of the announcement of Quinnipiac’s men’s basketball starting lineup before their Dec. 6 victory over Monmouth.

Fan opportunity

Hey guys.

Now that hockey and basketball have begun their seasons, fans are able to gather opinions on how the teams have looked thus far.  Let me hear your thoughts!  You can comment here and have your voice heard, or you can e-mail me a longer thought that I can post separately.  Also, if you have any pictures or videos of Quinnipiac sporting event you want posted, please e-mail me!  My e-mail is: ajfletcher@quinnipiac.edu.

Also, in this post is a poll.  Please vote and discuss!

Photos from Friday, Dec. 5

I just got back from the men’s hockey game.  The Bobcats defeated Providence College 5-2.  I also got to take a picture with the Stanley Cup.  Enjoy the following photos, all taken from my Cannon PowerShot A540.

How to be a good QU fan

Not everyone can be a good sports fan like Jeremy Schilling.  However, after reading this list, hopefully you can become an informed fan of Quinnipiac sports and help turn the TD Banknorth Sports Center in Hamden, Conn. (left), into a feared place to play like Assembly Hall in Champaign, Ill. (right).

1. Look at the schedule. It’s hard to fill up the building if fans don’t know when the games are.  The official athletics Web site has every team’s schedule.

2. Tell your friends.  Not everyone can know as much as you do (if you’re reading this site, you’re already one step ahead of them!).  Ask your friends if they would want to go to a game.  Keep your eyes peeled for giveaways also.  Everyone wants a bobblehead or thundersticks!

2. Wear yellow.  Everyone in the student section wears yellow T-shirts and sweatshirts, but if the other fans wear yellow (like the Fighting Illini fans wearing orange), it can create a fierce home court advantage.

3. Don’t worry about the shuttles.  Many complain that the shuttle system is inconvenient.  I am probably one of the people complaining when I’m standing out in the cold and the snow waiting for buses that seemingly take forever.  However, with the construction going on, there is no better way to get up there (besides walking).  So just set aside time for the buses and arrive early.  These shuttles are certainly better than the ones transporting students to Westwood, Whitney Village and Whitney Lot.

4. Make noise.  Nothing is more boring than a quiet sporting event.  Players usually feed off the crowd, and if the crowd is quiet, then the players could play lethargically.

5. Don’t arrive late and don’t leave early.  Everyone wants to beat the traffic and get the shuttles first (see: No. 3).  However, once you have a reputation for leaving early, it’s hard to change that.  Look at Los Angeles Dodgers fans, for example.  They are notorious for arriving late and leaving early.  On a much smaller scale, Quinnipiac hockey and basketball fans are the same way.  Instead of leaving at 6:55 for a 7:00 game, leave at 6:30 (don’t bring bottles, though!).  As for leaving, leave at the final horn.  It’s not a big deal if you get back to campus 15 minutes later.  Your alcohol didn’t grow legs and run away.  Nothing is worse than leaving a game that you think is over and then finding out you missed something exciting.

6. Keep things family-friendly. When the TD Banknorth Sports Center opened, many in the surrounding communities were appalled by the students’ actions during the games.  The students only make up a small percentage of the attendance and to fill the building, many families need to attend the games.  Thus, the students need to make it a family-friendly atmosphere to hopefully drive up attendance.

7. Keep chants clean. An “everybody knows, Yale blows” chant is fine every now and then.  But don’t start saying the girls who go to the opponent’s school have STDs.  It’s fun to call the goalie a “sieve” and scream, “It’s all your fault” after a goal.  However, don’t yell “suck” any chance you get, and definitely don’t chant “bullsh*t” after a questionable call/non-call.

8. Be informed.  Know the teams Quinnipiac is playing.  Make fun of their mascot or the goalie’s name.  If it helps, print out the game notes from the official athletics Web site.

9. Wait to get food during intermission or half-time.  You don’t want to miss any of the action, and, as I said in No. 4, the players need you out there making noise.

10. Have fun! You go to games to have fun.  Most of the games are on the weekend, so that’s one reason to be happy.  The school built this arena partly with your money.  You might as well make the most out of it.

Q&A with Jeremy Schilling

I spoke to Quinnipiac Bobcats fan Jeremy Schilling regarding his experiences at the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

Velaj featured in Advocate

The Stamford Advocate featured freshman women’s soccer standout Furtuna Velaj today.  Here’s what they wrote about her:

Furtuna Velaj (Westhill), who is first in the nation in goals per game (1.500) and second in points per game (3.00), was named Brine/NEC Player of the Week. The Quinnipiac freshman, who won back-to-back Rookie of the Week honors, scored three goals after the 80th minute to lead the Bobcats to a 4-3 overtime win against Robert Morris. Velaj also had 12 shots, seven on goal, but was scoreless in a 2-2 tie with Mount St. Mary.

In 10 games this season, Velaj has tallied 12 goals over 69 shots.  She has also netted five game-winners for the 5-3-2 Bobcats.  Quinnipiac will face Long Island on the road Friday afternoon.

What to look forward to

The week ahead in Bobcats sports:

Friday Oct. 17

• Men’s tennis is participating in the ITA Regionals beginning at 9 a.m.
• The men’s and women’s cross country/track teams will take part in the Penn State National Invitational
• Men’s soccer is taking on Fairleigh Dickinson at home at 3 p.m.
• Field hockey is taking on Lock Haven at home at 3:30 p.m.
• Men’s ice hockey will face Union at 4 p.m. in Omaha, Neb. as part of the Mutual of Omaha Stampede.
• Women’s ice hockey will face Syracuse at home at 5 p.m.
• Women’s soccer will travel to Brooklyn to face Long Island at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18

• Men’s ice hockey will face either Union, the University of Nebraska Omaha or American International College on Saturday.  The time of the game is not yet known.
• Men’s tennis continues the ITA Regionals.
• Women’s lacrosse travels to New York City to face Columbia at 10 a.m.
• Volleyball will face Fairleigh Dickinson at 1 p.m. in Madison, N.J.
• Women’s ice hockey will face Syracuse again at 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 19

• Golf is taking part in the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship beginning at 9 a.m.
• Men’s tennis continues the ITA Regionals.
• Men’s soccer will face Sacred Heart at home at noon.
• Field hockey will face Siena at home at noon.
• Volleyball will face Long Island University at home at 1 p.m.
• Women’s soccer will face Wagner in Staten Island, N.Y., at 1 p.m.