Hockey has long been a tradition at UW-Madison, but when people consider the sport on campus, the first team that comes to mind is usually the men's.
""People need to realize [women's hockey] is really good hockey, especially with how good [the women] are right now,"" senior forward Andrew Joudrey said.
The women's hockey team plays recognizably quality hockey, yet the team lacks sizeable support from the campus and local community.
UW-Madison's hockey program made history this past year as both the men's and women's teams won NCAA Division I national championships.
Both teams are at the top of their games and have received national attention. Yet, according to average season ticket sales, the campus and community heavily favor the men. Last season, the women's team had an average of 1,275 fans per home game.
""Our women's hockey program was second in the country in attendance last year when you compare [it] to other women's programs,"" said Kevin Kleunder, assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions.
But last season, the men's team had an average of 14,146 people in the stands at each game—approximately 11 times more than the average crowd at the women's games. According to Kleunder, this is most likely because the men's team has an established presence on campus.
""Women's hockey is still extremely new,"" he said. ""Their first season, their first game, was in fall of 1999 and men's hockey had their first game on campus in 1921.""
Despite their hard work, success and knowledge that their sport is still growing, the women still see setbacks on the ice.
""It's frustrating as a player not being able to see enough of the fans,"" senior captain Bobbi Jo Slusar said. ""Our team is doing very well this year, and it would be nice if we had the crowd support that the men's hockey does have.""
The women's team reached the top of its game in only seven years and is continually improving. The women have only two losses in their last 28 games, topping the Western Collegiate Hockey Association rankings.
""I don't think people realize that our team does as well as we do and that women's hockey is growing and everything,"" Slusar said. ""I've talked to people before we won the National Championship and they didn't know that women's hockey even existed ... when I first got here I don't think there was as much recognition. From my freshman year until now, my senior year, I feel like we're much more recognized around campus.""
There has been increasing interest in the women's hockey program.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Vince Sweeney said, ""The interest is certainly there on the heels of the National Championship, so we think there's great progress being made and we'll continue to grow that fan base. It doesn't usually happen overnight.""
Despite low attendance at games, the lady Badgers remain optimistic.
""I think the fan base is growing and hopefully it'll continue to grow,"" junior defender Emily Morris said.
Since the female Badgers won their first title, the athletic department has offered, for the first time, season tickets for women's hockey games, a major step in promoting the sport.
According to Sweeney, ""It's a way for [fans] to stand up and say ‘I'm proud of our women's hockey team, and I'm going to support them by buying a season ticket.'""
Slusar was also excited by the addition of a season ticket option. ""Having tickets sold, like season tickets, shows a growing sport, and I appreciate being a part of it.""
Because the sport is still developing a following, season tickets only cost $15 for students and $30 for adults for 18 home games.
Currently, 240 tickets have been sold. In comparison, the men's team set university records for pre-season ticket sales this year with 21,274 season tickets, including a sold-out 2,800-seat student section. In other words, more tickets were sold just for the student section at men's games than the total average attendance for women's games.
The crowd at women's games may be lacking, but the athletic department has created events to promote exposure to the sport, in the hopes of ultimately increasing attendance at the games.
One such promotional event, the fifth annual Kids Day at the Kohl Center, was held Oct. 27.
""We had about 2,500 to 3,000 people show up at that event, and when it ended a women's hockey game started that afternoon and we had a very nice crowd,"" Kleunder said.
Promotional events are not the only means of marketing the team's achievements to the community. To reach a wider audience, both teams are appearing in a new promotional campaign.
""Coca-Cola just made a commemorative hockey six-pack bottle promotion that includes our men's and women's hockey teams that is going to be available all across the state,"" Kleunder said. ""For us to expose the women's hockey program to a state-wide audience is a big deal for us. It's just an example of how we're trying to make people aware of our women's hockey program, the success the women's hockey program has had, and they have a bright future.""
Morris noted the significant differences in the men's and women's games as a source of the differences in attendance.
""I think just that the portrayal of [men's hockey] ... tends to be a more exciting game, but I think the women's game has its own notable aspects too,"" she said.
The women's game may lack checking and a fast pace, Morris noted, but according to their male counterparts, the women's game has its own positive aspects.
""Women's hockey is more of a finesse game—stickhandling, shooting, more goals,"" senior forward Ross Carlson said.
The men's hockey team understands the women's work ethic and quality of play.
""We have the same respect for them because they do work as hard, they're in the weight room with us, sometimes they're out on the ice doing the same drills as we are,"" senior goalie Brian Elliott said. ""Every Saturday, if we have an off week and the women are playing, we come and watch them just because we like hockey. They still play great hockey.""
