By Tommy Kane

Published: March 25th, 2019

Volume III: Issue IX

Section 103, Row E, Seat 9.

That’s my seat.

I have been fortunate to have gotten where I have today because if you told me about this when I was a senior in high school, I would have laughed.

I came to RIT to become an engineer, not to do sports writing or work in sports. Nope, to be an engineer.

I hated engineering. I hated my classes and I hated physics and calc especially. What did I decide to do to plow through? I started to follow suit and create a sports blog. I got the idea from a friend in high school, Luke Owens. Luke is at SUNY Oswego living his dream of becoming a sportscaster, as well as involved writing for various teams on their campus.

It took me forever to tell my parents about my hatred towards engineering and my love towards sports because I thought they would think I was lazy and just wanted to watch sports the rest of my life. I finally told a friend, John Dattilo, at an RIT women’s hockey game that I wanted to work in sports and he supported me all the way. John isn’t at RIT anymore, but he still supports me and our hockey team.

I started to cover RIT hockey a bit my first year with my blog. My friend, Grayson Keaton, gave me the idea to interview players. I then interviewed Erik Brown and Logan Drackett, who have been near and dear to me throughout my writing career.

Before I dive too deep, let’s break it up a little.

Discovery of RIT Hockey

I love hockey more than anything. Upon going to RIT, my father purchased our season tickets and I was hooked from the start. He couldn’t go to every game so I would take my good friend, Steve Songer, in his place.

I recall my first game being the Homecoming Game in 2017 against Northeastern. I had the time of my life, waving my orange Tiger towel every time we scored or touched the ice.

Fast forward a few months and I created my blog in November of 2017. I never liked writing, until I tried sports writing. I had fun covering all of my teams, especially RIT hockey. I knew I had to meet the players.

Grayson, as previously mentioned, told me to interview a few of the players for my blog. I remember asking permission from the head coach, Wayne Wilson, through email. He was okay with it and I asked Erik and Logan about it and they agreed.

I had a blast and realized that maybe this is something I should continue doing.

Stint with The Reporter

I decided to work with The Reporter for the 2018-19 season and I learned a lot about the mechanics of sound writing. I am entirely grateful for their support and help, but I decided to go back to my blog because I simply missed it.

With The Reporter, I would have to interview two players a week for each article. Sometimes, I would go early on Mondays and watch practice. I love to be surrounded by hockey, and the practices were very interesting to watch. I would sit in the lone orange seat in the house, because it was different, just like how I am as a “fan”. I return there often when I need to relax and regroup.

Interviewing was the best part of the articles, and I continued to do that with my blog. It was the number one thing I looked forward to on Mondays.

I got to interview players and coaches in virtually every room of the Gene. From locker rooms to the Greenroom, it was amazing. My favorite memory was interviewing Coach Wilson from the Coaches’ Locker room. I remember him saying, “How about that for service?” before the interview.

This Past Season

I attended most games at the Gene Polisseni Center, as well as the game at the HarborCenter.

I would arrive at each home game about an hour early, alone. I would go up to the second floor and walk towards the Corner Crew. There, I would wait for Erik to give him a good luck fist bump. After, I would walk around the arena again, while greeting my usher friends working there.

At about the 38:00 mark pre-game, I would, if I could, give the whole team fist bumps when they came out for warm-ups. Then, I would proceed to stand by the glass in the corner, watching them get ready for the game. They would leave, then I would leave and go to my seat.

I never sat in my seat during intermissions. I was always up and greeting people I knew down in the lobby. That was my thing before the game resumed.

After the games, I would pack up my notebook and head out. I did this ritual every home game, win or lose.

I made fond memories and friendships with just about every player this past season, and I am so grateful to get to experience that aspect of the game. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel like family.

Buffalo

My father and I attended the semifinal match against Niagara and stayed over in Buffalo that night, hoping we would go to the Championship. Unfortunately, we did not.

We had fun though. We went to have lunch at this restaurant under the rink. Then, we watched the first semifinal game and enjoyed it going into overtime.

The place was electric when the Tigers hit the ice at around 8 PM. I was so pumped to experience such a great moment watching my friends do what they loved. I even got to pump up the Corner Crew by waving my towel on the big screen pre-game.

Heading into overtime, Erik initiated the last fist bump of his Tiger career with me. I will never forget that emotional moment for me. It made my day.

It was a tough loss, but I wanted to wait and give my team support. I’m not going to lie and I am not ashamed, but I cried when they came over. I couldn’t control it. I was upset about the loss and for our seniors especially, but I was also proud of how the team played and the effort put into each game. I will truly miss the seniors. You guys will always have my support.

It’s Only Part One

Going into college, I promised myself that I would make a positive impact on my school. I would say that I have achieved that goal.

I will continue covering RIT hockey with my blog next season and beyond. It is my most favorite thing to do on campus.

To wrap up, I would like to thank the whole Tiger hockey staff and players for all the support I’ve gotten with my articles and blog. You guys make it worthwhile. I hope you guys also enjoy this article.

I know I wanna work in sports, especially the management side. Maybe I’ll be a sports writer though. My dream job is to become a hockey coach; I know it is difficult but I love the beautiful game so much and I feel that I exhibit leadership qualities. I tend to admire the coaches the most.

I am looking forward to next season and all the memories that will be made from it. I know big things are coming soon for us all. Who knows what cool stuff I’ll be doing in a year!

You will forever have my support. I want to be surrounded by this program for life.

GO TIGERS!