|
Dogg Pound still going strong
Infamous men's hockey fan club still rocks section 108 at the National Hockey Center despite toning down antics.
 Media Credit: Blair Schlichte Jeremy �Papa� Kiffmeyer gives SCSU�s mascot Blizzard a piggy-back ride at last Friday�s game at the National Hockey Center. Kiffmeyer has become well-known for his dancing antics in the Puppy Pound.
|
|
Sitting in section 108 of the National Hockey Center's lower level, it's quiet. Then again, it's a Tuesday night.
But come a Friday or Saturday night when the SCSU men's or women's hockey teams have home games, the section gets loud and rowdy very quickly. Why does it get so loud and rowdy, you may ask? Because it's home to SCSU's very own Dogg Pound Club (DPC). Across the ice in section 117 is home to the Puppy Pound, the generally quieter, but at times, just as loud counterpart.
From the infamous "Sieve!" chant to the tune of the "Hey Song," down to getting on the case of any visiting goaltender that decides to show his face on the NHC ice, that's the SCSU Dogg Pound Club (accompanied by the quieter, less vocal fans in the Puppy Pound) living large and in charge.
Eat your hearts out Cleveland Browns "Dog Pound" fans, these supporters pack just as much bite, but with less profanity.
Getting started
The DPC had always been a staple at Husky hockey games, but wasn't recognized as an official organization on campus. That all changed during the 2000-01 season, when the university issued a statement urging students to refrain from using profanity at games.
"We started off with 30 members, just the core members that went to away games," Kelly Cummins, President of the DPC said. "We just organized so we could all drive together and sit together at road games, that's why we organized. The first couple of trips we made [on the road with the team] were a success, so we decided to run with it."
Cummins said that one of the other main reasons that they organized was to go along with the university's request for no profanity while cheering at games.
"They wanted to create a more family-orientated environment for the community," he said. "Little kids are around (at games), and I've always wanted to create a family environment."
Cummins indicated that he's never stressed what the now 180-member DPC can or cannot do at games, but says he tries to stress good sportsmanship.
"You can yell, holler and be crazy all you want, but you can do it without swearing," he said. "We want to create a positive image for the children that are around."
During the first year, Cummins said he got a lot of feedback from the Husky coaching staff and players.
"They just love us going nuts," he said.
Drawbacks
Cummins said he has seen two disappointing drawbacks while president of the DPC.
"It's kind of sad to see this year," he said. "I sat in the Puppy Pound last weekend (against UMD) and watched what the Dogg Pound did, and it's weird because the first couple of rows were cheering and going nuts, but the last few rows were just laid back. So we're trying to overcome that."
Cummins said another drawback was that they can't get many fans to come to women's hockey games.
"It's tough to get people to women's hockey games," Cummins said. "We're advertising, we're trying to spread the word and do promotions, but it's tough."
Great environment
Since its conception in the 2000-01 season, the DPC has had an overwhelming, positive impact on the team and university itself. The club takes a lot of pride in the fact that the NHC is regarded as one of the best environments to watch a college hockey game, according to an online survey conducted by the WCHA's Web site.
"People who attend the games from the St. Cloud community, they've come up to me and said, 'Thank you, I feel good about bringing my kids to games,' which makes it worthwhile," Cummins said. "But I do miss the wildness and the craziness that used to be."
Along with cheering at home hockey games, the Dogg Pound Club also travels to away games. Countless tailgate parties, cleaning up the community after homecoming, movie nights and just being seen around campus are a few of the things other than hockey that have been added to the DPC's repertoire.
Decked out in Husky jerseys with names like Catch 22 (Cummins), Area 51 and T.K., it's not hard to see how these rowdy students can get an NHC sellout crowd on their feet. Even down to the DPC member with the hockey goal light attached to his helmet, there's no doubt that these fans can be compared to the likes of Duke University's infamous Cameron Crazies or even the Oakland Raiders' Raider Nation.
During an interview two years ago, SCSU head coach Craig Dahl had good things to say about the DPC.
"The team appreciates it. It really is a great thing," Dahl said. "I think the DPC reflects positively on Husky athletics overall."
Traditions
A few years back when the DPC wasn't an official university organization and there was a band still playing at hockey games, many of the traditions that exist now started. Cummins, for one, misses the band.
"The singing of 'Tainted Love,' that was started by the band," Cummins said. "The running of the flag [after a goal] was also started by the band."
The running of the flag was still existent in the DPC's "antics" up until last season when attendance started to rise. With the increased attendance, it was suggested that the tradition of running the SCSU flag be stopped.
"I was asked to stop because of safety reasons," Cummins said. "I mean, when we played Alaska-Anchorage in the playoffs and won, I ran a lot. By the end of the game I had about 50 kids running behind me."
Chances are if you've been to a men's hockey game, about the time the song "Cotton-Eyed Joe" blares across the P.A. system at the NHC, you've seen the Puppy Prancer. Yes, that's right, the guy that garners so much attention that everyone stops to watch him during the TV timeout.
His story remains a mystery. The Puppy Prancer, also known as Jeremy "Papa" Kiffmeyer, couldn't be reached for comment. One thing is for sure though: the Puppy Prancer's popularity is slowly rising. As "Cotton-Eyed Joe" begins to play at every home game, those in attendance know automatically that they'll see the Puppy Prancer decked out in his overalls and dancing.
Cummins, who is stepping down at the end of the season as DPC President because of the many other commitments he has to fulfill, has one big hope for the future.
"It's a lot of fun," he said. "I hope anybody that loves hockey comes out and sits in the Dogg Pound, or Puppy Pound, and just cheers their head off. Because that's what it's all about-school spirit."
|
|
|
|
|
|
