As Expected, "Zero Tolerance" For Friday Night

[Beeeej]

Of course, you should read it in the context of my being an alum who hasn't thrown fish in at least ten years because he's not willing to risk his Section C season tickets.  But thanks.

[oceanst41]

Everybody bring fish in the student section, and when they step on the ice all throw them at once at some signal (like maybe a "let's go Red")...I'd like to see the powers that be single someone out for that.

[calgARI '07]

Well I won't consider throwing fish and haven't ever.  The ushers seem to gun for me as it is so I just can't risk not being there.  One of the guys I go to the games with is 6'6 and not surprisingly was busted last year.

[Rosey]

I don't throw now because I have to drive 350 miles to see the games, and don't want to risk being thrown out after going through all that effort: I'll leave it to the undergrads.  That, and it's hard to get it over the net at the end of the horseshoe.

Kyle

[Robb]

[quote oceanst41]Everybody bring fish in the student section, and when they step on the ice all throw them at once at some signal (like maybe a "let's go Red")...I'd like to see the powers that be single someone out for that.[/quote]
That's pretty much the idea already.  And they will still single people out to try to suppress the tradition in future years.  If they busted 5% of the people who do it each year, it would be dead within a few years - would you take a 1-in-20 chance of losing your season tickets?

[calgARI '07]

[quote oceanst41]Everybody bring fish in the student section, and when they step on the ice all throw them at once at some signal (like maybe a "let's go Red")...I'd like to see the powers that be single someone out for that.[/quote]

That's pretty much what happens.  Regardless of how many students throw fish, the ushers will single out a handful of people and remove them to set an example.  My biggest fear is the ushers mistakenly kicking me out for throwing fish when I never did in the first place.

[Jordan 04]

Unless they have gone to an electronic ticket scanner, I don't see how they can actually enforce the revocation of anybody's season tickets.

Throw fish, don't be in your exact seat, don't have ID on you, and don't have your ticket stub.

What are they going to do exactly? Have Gene Nighman at all entry points every week with mug shots ensuring that you do not gain entry into the rink?

[Trotsky]

[quote Beeeej]You already know it's a risk to throw the fish, so be as smart about it as you can, make your choices, and deal with the consequences.[/quote]

Exactly.

We've been getting these shrieking Chicken Little memos from the AD for at least the last four years.  They are pretty clearly intended to rein in the eejits who don't observe the Unwritten Rules of Fish N Fowl, and that's a good thing, since those are the folks who cost Cornell delay penalties.

The rules, which actually have been written before, are:

1) Throw all the fish all at once when Harvard skates onto the ice prior to the first period.

2) Never, ever, ever throw any other fish on the ice at any other time.

3) Never, ever, ever throw anything other than large fish (which can be cleaned up relatively easily) and plastic, blow up, etc fish.  Don't throw anything that will escape the notice of the maintenance crew or damage the ice -- the ankle you break may just as easily be a Cornell player's, and wouldn't you feel clever then?

[redhair34]

[quote Beeeej]Who needs a "solution"?[/quote]

Answer: Anyone who wants to throw a fish without the risk of losing season tickets.

[CM cWo 44]

[quote Beeeej]so be a part of it if you feel strongly enough about it.  Just don't be stupid about it.  You already know it's a risk to throw the fish, so be as smart about it as you can, make your choices, and deal with the consequences.[/quote]

Totally agree...
I also would like to urge anyone who's on the fence about doing it, to try to join in. I know the whole process is nerve-wracking (as I have come to find the last 4 seasons), but I feel that it's important to uphold the tradition, and demoralize the opponent. The more people that participate, the better it is for your fellow faithful. You do run the risk of ejection, but here's a few tips for a successful fish throw.

A. Securely fasten your fish to one of your lower extremeties. I have untilizing high socks and tape is a good way to avoid fish-balls.
Nothing's more embarassing then dropping your fish at the entrance.
B. If you are near the aisle, be sure to pinch to the middle of the section when throwing fish.
C. Try getting a little arm room from your neighbor and throw it underhand or sidearm. This is a good way to avoid the police seeing the obvious overhand throwing motion.
**D. There are really only 1-2 ushers per section monitoring fish throwers. So either watch them until they're looking elsewhere and toss. Or wait until they are escorting away a more obvious, or perhaps more intoxicated, attemptee, then toss.
E. If you are caught. Deny to the death. They have no evidence short of an eyewitness account from a geriatric usher that is watching a thousand of your peers simultaneously.
-Of the people I know that have been caught, you are escorted to the ticket office and one of 2 scenarios occur:
1. Reluctant admission of guilt (resulting in ejection and possible revokation)
2. Absolute denial leading into passionate pleas of sympathy (resulting in potential reinstatement)


Yes, there is risk involved. No one wants to miss this game (I am making the 4 hour trek up for it). But if you're smart enough to be at Cornell, you can be smart enough to execute a fish throw, and beat the dimwitted security of Lynah Rink.
(Appologies to my buddies that were not that smart)

Let em fly.

[nyc94]

What would happen if a few people took cardboard signs (acceptably worded of course) into Lynah and then held them to obscure the vision of the ushers just before the toss?

[oceanst41]

[quote nyc94]What would happen if a few people took cardboard signs (acceptably worded of course) into Lynah and then held them to obscure the vision of the ushers just before the toss?[/quote]

Maybe when Harvard is taking the ice is a good time to have a buddy make friends with your local usher and distract him. ;-)

I went through the same thing when I was a season ticket holder, we got our fish in our sophomore year and threw them from over in D as far as we could. Our usher came over and said one of us threw a fish and needed to leave. We all denied it and nothing came of it.

I mean we were loud, but not rude and when the ushers had issues with what we were saying we didn't get in their faces. So I think they showed us some respect back, by not giving us too hard of a time.

So bascially they can't prove it was you unless they are standing right next to you the whole time. I'll echo it again, if you want to do it, do it and be smart about it.

[redhair34]

This may have been discussed before, but when exactly did the administration start cracking down on the fish toss?  Or have they always had a policy against it?  Was it because of people throwing the fish during the game?

[Give My Regards]

[quote nyc94]What would happen if a few people took cardboard signs (acceptably worded of course) into Lynah and then held them to obscure the vision of the ushers just before the toss?[/quote]

Next year's memo would say, "And no signs either, dangit!"

[jtwcornell91]

[quote redhair34]This may have been discussed before, but when exactly did the administration start cracking down on the fish toss?  Or have they always had a policy against it?  Was it because of people throwing the fish during the game?[/quote]

Well, it's always been officially against the rules, for the same reason traying the slope is.  They tend to crack down more when the game is televised (e.g., the playoffs in 2000) because they're afraid it will tarnish the school's image.  Even though everybody who knows about college hockey already knows about it, and it adds to Lynah's legendary status.  They do seem to have gotten more obnoxious in recent years.