Does WSU have a rivalry?
Jon McBride
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Yes, there is a vicious rivalry at Weber State University, and it doesn't involve the football or basketball teams.
It's a rivalry on ice, and it's between the Wildcats and the Utah State University Aggies. The two hockey teams have only been battling for a decade or so, but every season, the competition becomes more and more intense.
The two teams faceoff Friday night at the Weber County Ice Sheet, as the tradition continues.
It's refreshing to know there's a rivalry in at least one of WSU's major sports. The WSU basketball and football teams definitely play in some intense games, but do they have an actual rival? I don't think so. In order to have a rival there are some certain conditions that need to be met:
Proximity
The two teams in a rivalry have to be somewhat close to each other geographically. Ogden and Logan aren't the closest cities in Utah, but they're close enough for the visiting team's fans to drive to and have a presence in the game. That's important in a rivalry - obnoxious visiting fans. Obviously the WSU football and basketball teams have proximal opponents, such as the Aggies, or the University of Utah, but the other problem with proximity is that of divisions and/or conferences. Since no other teams in Utah compete in the Big Sky Conference, and aren't very close to each other as far as rankings or standings go, it's hard for those teams to form rivalries. The games just don't mean as much.
Balance
The teams have to, at least most of the time, be evenly matched. If one of the teams wins every single time, it's hard to call that a rivalry. The Wildcat-Aggie hockey rivalry was just about dead after the 2005-2006 season, when the Wildcats dominated the Aggies in every game they played that year. In 2006-2007, the rivalry was again ignited when USU shocked the American College Hockey Association with an overtime winner in both teams' opening game of the season. The Wildcats came back to beat the Aggies later in the year.
History
There has to be a history passed down from seniors to freshmen each season of memorable games in the past. Each player needs to be motivated by the past successes and failures of their teams. For many seasons the Wildcats and Aggies were the only two competitive collegiate hockey teams in Utah. In recent years Brigham Young University, Utah Valley State College and the University of Utah have all improved dramatically, bringing the level of collegiate hockey in the state even higher and forming some new rivalries, but the Wildcat-Aggie rivalry has endured. It hasn't lost a bit of its expletive-filled fun between players, coaches and fans.
Emotion
Even the most descriptive of writers couldn't fully describe the emotion involved in these games. So come on out to the Ice Sheet Friday night and see for yourself what a rivalry is really made of. The puck drops at 8:15 p.m.
It's a rivalry on ice, and it's between the Wildcats and the Utah State University Aggies. The two hockey teams have only been battling for a decade or so, but every season, the competition becomes more and more intense.
The two teams faceoff Friday night at the Weber County Ice Sheet, as the tradition continues.
It's refreshing to know there's a rivalry in at least one of WSU's major sports. The WSU basketball and football teams definitely play in some intense games, but do they have an actual rival? I don't think so. In order to have a rival there are some certain conditions that need to be met:
Proximity
The two teams in a rivalry have to be somewhat close to each other geographically. Ogden and Logan aren't the closest cities in Utah, but they're close enough for the visiting team's fans to drive to and have a presence in the game. That's important in a rivalry - obnoxious visiting fans. Obviously the WSU football and basketball teams have proximal opponents, such as the Aggies, or the University of Utah, but the other problem with proximity is that of divisions and/or conferences. Since no other teams in Utah compete in the Big Sky Conference, and aren't very close to each other as far as rankings or standings go, it's hard for those teams to form rivalries. The games just don't mean as much.
Balance
The teams have to, at least most of the time, be evenly matched. If one of the teams wins every single time, it's hard to call that a rivalry. The Wildcat-Aggie hockey rivalry was just about dead after the 2005-2006 season, when the Wildcats dominated the Aggies in every game they played that year. In 2006-2007, the rivalry was again ignited when USU shocked the American College Hockey Association with an overtime winner in both teams' opening game of the season. The Wildcats came back to beat the Aggies later in the year.
History
There has to be a history passed down from seniors to freshmen each season of memorable games in the past. Each player needs to be motivated by the past successes and failures of their teams. For many seasons the Wildcats and Aggies were the only two competitive collegiate hockey teams in Utah. In recent years Brigham Young University, Utah Valley State College and the University of Utah have all improved dramatically, bringing the level of collegiate hockey in the state even higher and forming some new rivalries, but the Wildcat-Aggie rivalry has endured. It hasn't lost a bit of its expletive-filled fun between players, coaches and fans.
Emotion
Even the most descriptive of writers couldn't fully describe the emotion involved in these games. So come on out to the Ice Sheet Friday night and see for yourself what a rivalry is really made of. The puck drops at 8:15 p.m.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Harold
posted 10/03/07 @ 9:48 AM MST
Why cant the football team have a rivalry with USU? It would fill the stands and neighbors are the best rivals.
Jon McBride
posted 10/03/07 @ 12:16 PM MST
Harold,
I think you're right. The football teams should play each other. I think a USU vs. WSU rivalry has the POTENTIAL to be in Northern Utah what the Utah vs. (Continued…)
cody
posted 10/03/07 @ 7:38 PM MST
WSU should play USU for sure! Someone would have to win too!!
We are 1-11 alltime vs the Aggies but only played from '73-'83 and 2001.
Against our "rival" ISU we are 32-14 and we've only lost a couple times to them over the last 20 years. (Continued…)
Jon McBride
posted 10/04/07 @ 8:59 AM MST
Thanks for the stats Cody -- that's interesting. Good call on someone having to win between the teams, heaven knows both programs need one of those.
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