Mike Eaves – Coach and Player
With the news that Mike Eaves was fired at the head coach of the Wisconsin Men’s Hockey team it gave me an opportunity to reflect on when I got started listening to Badger hockey and where.
In the Beginning
So where did my love affair with the Badger hockey start? It started with me and my Dad listening to games in the early 70s. I say “listening” because listening to Paul Braun on the radio was the only option (no TV). We’d sit in the kitchen listening to the radio while everyone else was asleep.
The Badger Bob Era
Badger Bob Johnson
I can remember listening to games when Bob Johnson was an up and coming coach and Mike Eaves was a player. Eaves played from 1974-77 and I recall the Badgers winning a national title in 1977. Eaves was a senior and had become the Badger’s all-time leading scorer with 267 points. Mark Johnson was also on that team and scored 48 goals that season. Crazy!
1976-77 Badger Team Stats and 1977-78 Team Stats
I can remember a playoff game that had gone into overtime. My Dad and I were scared to death that the Badgers were going to come out on the short end of things. We knew they needed a play and it was Mike Eaves who delivered. Obviously I couldn’t actually see the play since we were listening on the radio, but Mike Eaves somehow won a faceoff and banged the puck past the opposing goalie. The Badgers won and were advancing to another round of the playoffs. My Dad was going bananas. What did he do? He thawed out some steaks and threw them in the broiler! I guess that’s how you celebrated back then. I wasn’t complaining. : )
Fast Forward to Today
So I’ve graduated from listening to games on the radio to just completing my 25th year as a Badger Season Ticket Holder. I have to say i’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Yes, the last couple of years have been a little rough, but I was okay with it. Considering the Badgers have won 5 national titles in the time I’ve rooted for them (6 overall) I feel like I’ve had things pretty good. Really good actually.
Badger Hockey Defending Power Play
Yes, I thought it was probably time to make a change in the coaching department. I see talent on the current roster and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before the team turns things around. And when they do I’ll be there to cheer them on because I never jumped off the bandwagon. I’ll always be there for them, with them.
I recently read an editorial in the Capital Times titled “On thin ice: Once a college hockey powerhouse, the faltering Badgers men’s team is losing games, fans and revenue” and I have to say… I couldn’t disagree more with the article.
The thing that really chapped me was the fan, Jim Anderson, who said he was embarrassed to wear his Badger gear. What a tool. To him, and those like him, I say “good riddance.” Yes, they have every right to not renew as season ticket holders. They have every right to be disappointed by the team not winning. But to freely admit that your loyalty to the team is gone because they’re not winning… GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! They don’t need you. Actually, the team could probably use your support more when times are a little thin. Everyone is a fan when the team is winning.
I’m not saying that Todd Milewski was wrong in the things he said… it’s just not the way I think and not the way I believe a true fan acts.
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