Talk to any UNH student or alumnus, and it shouldn't be long before the topic of the hockey team, whether they enjoy it or not, comes up. It's one of the experiences that are ingrained in the journey of going to UNH, and incoming freshmen should plan to educate themselves a little bit on the sport if they plan to stay in Durham.
If you're an incoming freshman and are already a fan of UNH, hockey or both, it shouldn't be hard to walk to the Whittemore Center on Fridays and Saturdays in the winter to go see the Wildcats play, and hopefully get your fellow fresh faces to come along. There are, however, some guidelines on how to be a good fan.
Know your history: Go to the always-helpful YouTube and with a little searching, you can find some great highlights of former UNH players. Colin Hemingway has an amazing between-the-legs goal that is essential viewing. Watching these videos gives you some visual history and some knowledge of the games and players involved. Some other names to know besides Hemingway: Ty Conklin, Jason Krog and the new Philadelphia Flyers' sensation James van Riemsdyk.
Go to the games to WATCH the games: It's incredibly aggravating to hear the clicking of phones as people are texting while a hockey game is being played, especially if the student section is full. There are fans who can't be there who would actually watch the game, while you're figuring out plans for the night. If the puck's in play, you shouldn't be doing anything but watching what's on the ice; that's why you're there. Do whatever you want between periods (although the intermission entertainment can be fun to watch), but put your damn phone away while the clock is running.
Bring friends to the game with you: The UNH hockey nation is very big, but it can never be too big. Bring along kids on your floor who don't know much about the sport and let them learn and enjoy. The only way to keep people going to the games is to keep getting incoming students to attend; most UNH students are here for four or five years. Why wouldn't anyone want to go to a game in the student section? They're good seats paid for by the Student Activity Fee, so they might as well be in use.
Don't be a prick: Scream as much as you want during the game. Paint your body blue and white. Trash-talk as much as you want, just try not to be overly vulgar and inappropriate about it. I didn't always believe this when I went to games, but then I realized that Durham isn't just 12,000 college kids with professors that arrive at 7 a.m. on Monday and go away after 9 p.m. on Friday. Also, there are tons of young ones who attend games with their families. I don't care if a seven-year-old hears me scream, but I don't want to be the one to teach him his first four-letter word. That's what middle school is for.
Enjoy everything: Besides our diplomas and weaker livers, the only things we leave UNH with are our memories. Enjoying UNH hockey can be part of those times we look back on fondly and rub into the faces of our friends who went to Boston College or the University of Maine. When the puck drops this season for the first time, consider doing at least one of these suggestions on how to be a good fan. Everyone will benefit from it.
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