Two Rivals, a Twenty Year Old Tradition

The University of New Hampshire’s sold-out student section was ecstatic at the Whittemore Center Arena when two seniors, Ara Nazarian and Frankie Cefalu were able to tie the Saturday night game right before the second period. With a win under their belts from the night before the men’s team continued to fight their rivals, the University of Maine.

When looking into the crowd the University of New Hampshire’s fans were very easy to spot. The theme of the game, just like every year the team plays U-Maine is, “White out the Whitt”. With a sold-out game on Saturday, Feb. 2 and a nearly sold-out game, Friday Feb. 1, the hockey arena was full of participants wearing white.

Ara Nazarian, a senior, sports studies major with a minor in business administration has been on the UNH hockey team for four years now. He says as of late, they have seen higher attendance because of their level of competition and hard work. As a team, they use social media to let students and fans know about when and where their games are and sometimes hand out tickets around campus; however, they typically rely on athletic communications and the marketing department to spread the word. Nazarian said the hockey team is very appreciative of those who help with getting the word out about their games.

“Having many students at our games creates an electrifying atmosphere that is an incredible experience to play in front of,” Nazarian said. Having many students at our home games gives us that extra boost and extra energy that is crucial. It creates an atmosphere that is second to none in college hockey.”

The arena seats 6,501 fans and for “White out the Whitt”, typically, every seat is taken. The 20-year-old event is one many describe as “iconic” and “madness” according to the university’s athletic director, Marty Scarano. Scarano has been in his position for 18 years and he says previous white outs have been some of his most memorable experiences within his career. His role on game day entails, engaging fans, benefactors, staff and media and remaining “visible” the entire time. As for attendance, Scarano’s staff manages the marketing, media production and event management to let people know about athletic events coming up. Scarano believes the student section is one of the most important parts of any game. 

“The student body brings the enthusiasm, the juice so to speak and we need them," Scarano said. "It’s an event that many alums put high on their list of memories and our hockey program is getting back to where we want it to be, a nationally recognized one, they feed off the crowd and support.”

Dylan Wheeler, a junior, information technology and philosophy double major has been a part of the university’s Cat Pack since his freshman year.

“Attendance to games is the most important part of the group, in my opinion, Wheeler says. In general, the more people that come to sporting events, the more fun we all have. The athletes love the support, and a motivated crowd can make a huge difference in boosting a team’s morale. We post to numerous social circles of students online to get the word out and host get-togethers prior to the events where we help with face paint.”

Wheeler says that during the game as part of the Cat Pack their role is to start the cheers and get the students to join in. Win or lose he notices most people stay because of how “close-knit” the student section is. It’s important to many to support and cheer.

Emily McDowell, a sophomore in the risk management program and event management major is one of many students who attended Friday night’s game. Although, she doesn’t know much about hockey, McDowell described her experience as fun and emotional because of the student section’s atmosphere. She said she enjoyed supporting the team and seeing everyone else who came out to be apart of the white out. She heard about the event through UNH’s Instagram page and through friends and decided to go because of its “iconic” title and the history behind it.

“It is just something no UNH student should miss. Everyone that attends UNH should go at least once in their four years here, I think,” McDowell says.

Hana Johnson, a senior, sports studies major, works at the Whittemore Center Arena as part of their athletic communications staff. On Friday she went to the game as an attendee and on Saturday she worked the event for both women and men’s hockey teams. Her role with the Whittemore does not include trying to get people to attend but in her free time she does a lot to get the word out about games.

“It’s not my role per say but as a student who enjoys watching hockey, I do try to convince friends and students who may not typically attend a game to come with me," Johnson said. "I also will use social media to get the word out about events and games. This is often through Twitter or Instagram.”

As an attendee of the Friday game, Johnson described her experience as bitter-sweet because it is her last “White out the Whitt” as a student. She had a great time and loved the energy of the student section. It was her first time as a student “camping-out” before the event; she arrived outside the Whitt at 8:45 a.m. on Friday morning. The rivalry between UNH and U-Maine brings an entirely different experience Johnson explained:

“Just the game itself and who you are playing can change the energy, add the students and fans cheering, it makes the atmosphere. Its everything you’d expect a Maine vs. UNH game to be.”