PD article on CP

[Z.I.P.]

College Soccer is bigger in the sense that there are far more teams, i can tell you that. Attendance wise, I'm not 100% sure but I have to think Ice Hockey outdraws Soccer easily. I do know that OSU has the largest Arena (Value City, 17,500) but it's not specifically made for hockey and never comes close to full (been to a game that had less people than an Akron Club Hockey match). Though perhaps my fav. arena in college sports is Ralph Englestad Arena in North Dakota. The place is a palace and a good example of how big hockey is in some areas. I also love how the person who funded it said he would stop the funding if the school ever changed their name from the "Fighting Sioux". To make sure they didn't, the arena has the logo engraved in every seat, in marble in various places, and on every possible surface. It's great.

But if you look at a few areas (Michigan, New England, Minnesota, etc.) you see how big Hockey is.

Soccer has the potential to be bigger though.

I have only attended one collegiate ice hockey game in my life, first Sat in December, 1984. Sandwiched around my first visit to the horseshoe stadium for the OHSAA football finals, and the Zips meeting the Suckeyes at St John's Arena was a game between #1 and #2 -- OSU and BGSU in the amazingly tiny ice rink sitting just outside the front doors of St John's. I would say it may have seated a hundred people, but not comfortably! Playing at Value City is a bit of an upgrade for the Bucks. I seem to recall that OSU defeated #1 Bowling Green that day, but BeeGee came back, and won the national title later in the year. The rink had photos and clippings on the wall of the first black college hockey players at OSU in the 50s. It was a museum-like atmosphere, as much as a playing venue -- due to the age. I would not be surprised if it was used in the 1940s. Wonder if it's still standing.