Mavericks on Television

According to Inside College Hockey's TV schedule:

Saturday, Jan. 6 - UNO @ WMU - ESPNU, 4 p.m. EST
Friday, Jan. 11 -- Miami-Ohio @ UNO - CSTV - 8 p.m. EST
Friday, Feb. 1 -- (It's on TV, but may be Comcast Local)
Saturday, Feb. 2 - UNO @ MSU - FSN Detroit - 4 p.m. EST
Saturday, Feb. 9 - Ohio State @ UNO - CSTV - 8 p.m. EST

James C. Semerad Memorial Hockey Scholarship Fund

According to the Winter 2007 "One Nebraska" ("News From the University of Nebraska Foundation") newsletter, the estate of Jim Semerad has endowed the "James C. Semerad Memorial Hockey Scholarship Fund" for UNO hockey players who attend summer session classes at UNO.

Jim was a true friend to UNO hockey ... one of founding members of the Blue Line Club and the original leader of the BLC Luncheon committee. Jim died unexpectedly in 2004, and it's neat to see his name continue to be associated with Maverick Hockey.

In the article, UNO Athletic Director David Miller said, "The demand in intercollegiate athletics makes it very important for student-athletes to continue their education through the summer. We appreciate the Semerad gift because it helps our fine young men continue their educational endeavors."

The article concludes with, "Semerad was instrumental in bringing hockey to UNO in the 1990s."

-- Photo courtesy of Creative Association Management

The Coach Kemp Show

A couple of us were sitting around Indigo Joe's after a Mike Kemp Show a few weeks back and we made a list of the places where the Coach's show has been held throughout the team's history.

For posterity's sake, here it is:
2007-08 Indigo Joe's
2006-07 Indigo Joe's
2005-06 Stevie J's (no longer in business)
2004-05 Sammy Sortino's (no longer in business)
2003-04 Red Eye Tavern (no longer in business)
2002-03 DJ's Dugout
2001-02 DJ's Dugout
2000-01 Chili Greens (no longer in business)
1999-00 Clancy's Pub (114th & Dodge location)
1998-99 Old Chicago (downtown location)
1997-98 Ameristar Casino

Ohio State Games Will be Webcast

Thursday and Friday's Maverick Hockey games will be available on "Buckeye Vision" -- Ohio State's athletic department online access program.

Order the games on
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com

The cost is $9.95 for "one month" subscription (which will get you both games, plus the audio for Saturday's football game vs. Illinois, and many of their other sports and extras).

Log in before game time to check to see if your computer meets and audio and video requirements (they've got a little thing that will test your system). Then view both games, 11/8 and 11/9 at 6:05 p.m. CST.

You can also "chat" live online in the Mavpuck Chat Room.

Mavs Unveil New Red Road Jersey

The Mavericks will be sporting a new "away" jersey when they hit the road on Oct. 26-27 at Miami University (Ohio). The new jersey features "UNO" and a player number instead of "Nebraska-Omaha" across the front of the jersey.

Lawlor's Custom Sportwewar will have a limited number of jerseys available for sale. Prices have not yet been set, but you can pre-order yours by indicated your interest on Mavpuck.

Stampede Shaping Up to Support Breast Cancer

While the details are still being worked out, it looks like the theme of this year's Maverick Stampede might be: Think Pink!

It all started when Coach Kemp got a call from Coach Blasi at Miami of Ohio, asking if the Mavs would be willing to wear pink skate laces and sport pink ribbons for cancer on their helmets during the matchup Oct. 26-27 in Oxford, as the Redhawks were using their games in October to raise the profile of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raise money for breast cancer research. The Mavs, naturally, said yes.

Then, from what I understand, it evolved into somewhat of a contest -- which program could raise more money for breast cancer research in the month of October? The Redhawks have five games, and the Mavs have two (both Stampede games). But we have about five times the potential attendance.

Now, word comes that the UNO marketing staff, the NU Foundation, and the team are taking this to a whole NEW level ... one not seen by UNO to this point in time. I got word that Coach Kemp is ordering pink jerseys for the event (and they're looking for a sponsor for that, so they can auction them off, if you know of any companies that might be interested).

Should be interesting! I'll have more on this as it develops.

UNO Marketing Ideas for 2007-08

Mavericks Wanted.
Mav Hockey: It Gets Inside You.
"Maverick Mojo."

We've had some less-than-memorable Mav Hockey branding in the past. I haven't seen anything yet this season, so I can't tell you if things have improved. But I will tell you what would make a big difference. A bobblehead. Specifically, a Coach Kemp bobblehead.


Not really. I'm kidding. (Not about wanting a Coach Kemp bobblehead. About that, I couldn't be more serious.) I'm kidding about one bobblehead making a difference after a long period of less-than-groundbreaking ideas and execution in UNO hockey marketing and positioning.

This year is an opportunity. It's year 11. We've got a new sheriff in town, and his name is David Miller. He's brought new life to the department, shaking up ticket operations, putting the kibosh on "mandatory donations" and instituting a new $99 season ticket option that has already won UNO new fans.

Now it's time to step it up. Let's have fewer "in-crowd impersonators" (Napoleon Dynamite, Will Ferrell), and more genuine ingenuity. The students are amped up, I've heard the band is revamped, and this season is like a throwback to 1997. Nick Fohr is back. Dave Noel-Bernier is back.

Life is good. Now let's see some action.

Offseason Jersey Auction Nets $4,000+ for Program

The auction of 12 gameworn third jerseys netted the UNO Blue Line Club more than $4700. The first auction was completed in April; the second auction wrapped up earlier this month.

The jerseys were sold in two batches of six, including a mix of current and graduating players. The eBay auction yielded $394 per jersey, on average.

There are no current plans to auction of any more of the jerseys; however, if more jerseys will become available, information will be available on Mavpuck.

New info, as of 9/21/07: It looks like we'll have another six-jersey auction to kick off the 2007-08 hockey season. Stay tuned for more details!

Quinn Waller Not Coming to UNO After All

UNO hockey recruit Quinn Waller was not academically eligible for the 2007-08 season, and will instead attend Division III Adrian College.

UNO's roster is online. It will be finalized Monday, Aug. 27, as classes start that day.

Coyotes Sign Thomas to One Year Contract

The Phoenix Coyotes signed right-winger Bill Thomas to a one-year contract on Friday. Thomas played for the University of Nebraska Mavericks from 2004 to 2006.

Hockey Season Kicks Off Oct. 19

The UNO Maverick Stampede is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20.

The University of Alabama-Huntsville will take on Canisius in the 4:05 p.m. game, while the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks will meet up with the University of Manitoba Bison in the 7:05 contest.

Unlike previous years, UNO will not face Manitoba in a pre-season exhibition. Due to a scheduling conflict with Stampede opponents, UNO needed to fill out the tournament field.

For ticket information, call 554-MAVS.