AIHL Season

[CraigBrodz]

With the upcoming tournament in Disney for both Elite and Minor I feel like the competion will be great, and I want to say good luck to eveyone who is competing memorial day weekend..

I love to play in this league, and I am thankful that I can still play at a decently high level of hockey, which not many adults get to do. I read alot on these boards about ideas people have on how to grow the sport of roller hockey for many years, since I have played 5 years in the college league and now 2 years in the AIHL. And I think it starts with this league.

If it is true that the finals of the AIHL will be on ESPN 360 or whatever, people will be watching and then probably going to the website to see what this league is about. What will they find?? A half ass job with incomplete stats no pictures of players, or player profiles. I mean I have to read the schedule and teams going to Disney on these boards a week ago and it is still not on the site. The brackets still haven't been done, and things are blatanly wrong on the site. For examply 495ers Minor Blue won The New England Division and the site says they lost to the Swampdonkeys in the first round.

If this whole ESPN business is true it should be the leagues top priority to make sure that everything is top notch and it pretty much begins with the website and how the tourney is run down in Disney. (I mean it should be like that in general all the time, but ESPN makes it even more so)

The website is our only way of following what is going on in this league, teams should be required to post pictures, player profiles, and at least 2articles a month.. Which I don't think is that hard to do. I am sure people would volunteer to do this within their respective organizations. And if this is a requirement how come it hasn't happened??? There should be some type of ramifications for this from the league if it doesn't happen.

The webstie speaks volumes on how the league is run, and right now it doesn't really look like too many people care about it too much, and if that attitude continues I fear the league will not last, and a lot of us will play our NARCH once a year and go back to rec leagues.

These are just my thoughts, and I know people care about the league and sport. I also realize a lot happens behind the scenes that I probably have no idea about. But if you look at the site, it just looks like not too many people care. Sometimes I think I'm crazy so I ask.. does this make sense??

[minutemen]

Your absolutely correct. There are a lot of teams that do not take the time to post articles or have player profiles with pics of individual players. I think last year the site was more up to date on time and it seems that this year it was lacking. Now i did not play this year but still followed the season on the site.

I know that the AIHL team owners and heads of the AIHL work very hard each year. But it is true that the main part of which people can learn about this league is lacking. Craigs comments are good constructive criticism that can help the league grow. To go a bit further on this, if teams or the AIHL is trying to get sponsors for this league, the site is the first place the company/business will go.

Love the AIHL and like any new organization/league, it takes time and I see a bright future for this league. Owners and league officials keep up the great work that you do, and also thank you for it all.

[growl89]

This board is starting to become like that movie groundhog day. Same thing was posted last year and also the year before when most of the teams were still in PIHA. The website needs to be updated. The same cover story ends up there for weeks to months. for 7 straight weeks, 1-0 forfiet wins were the only thing on the scoreboard on the site. Whats going on?

[CraigBrodz]

I didn't know that this has been a common thread in these Professional/Elite Threads.. I thought last year the site was kept up pretty well personally. If this has been a common concern within these leagues after every season... Then I ask... Why hasn't there been a solution created???

This ESPN internet broadcast thing is a huge thing for the league, and the sport in general and I feel like we have dropped the ball and not put the best foot forward for the league and sport, and it isn't just the league officials it is every organization involved.

Maybe the groundhog can see his shadow this time so we don't have to visit this issue again.

[growl89]

If ESPN is indeed going to be doing these games in some form, then this should be a top priority. We don't need to have a MLRH/VS type mess up again to further damage the sport.

Hopefully it will be up and running a little more updated by the time the championships get here!

[CraigBrodz]

Just looked it up on ESPN 3 website It will indeed be on the internet broadcast on Memorial Day at 2pm and 3pm.

[GoRangrHky]

Half of it starts with the website that the AIHL uses being practically impossible to navigate, and literally impossible to use on a mobile phone. The thing is a disaster and looks like it was released about 2 years before it was done. And that's before you even speak about teams putting up articles or pictures- it's just a flat out backwards design that doesn't seem like it was intended to be used for hockey.

[Patn Lawton]

Half of it starts with the website that the AIHL uses being practically impossible to navigate, and literally impossible to use on a mobile phone. The thing is a disaster and looks like it was released about 2 years before it was done. And that's before you even speak about teams putting up articles or pictures- it's just a flat out backwards design that doesn't seem like it was intended to be used for hockey.

Agreed, it took me way too long to figure out I didn't have any goals this season. I understand that the league was trying to make a really nice website that would grab peoples' attention, but I liked the PIHA site better just because it was simple. There is nothing wrong with a website having bells and whistles as long as it is easy to navigate though.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

This board is starting to become like that movie groundhog day. Same thing was posted last year and also the year before when most of the teams were still in PIHA. The website needs to be updated. The same cover story ends up there for weeks to months. for 7 straight weeks, 1-0 forfiet wins were the only thing on the scoreboard on the site. Whats going on?

I am going to propose that there should be money figured into the entry fee next season that would go to someone writing previews and recaps for each set of games. We've tried to have members of the teams write them and for the most part, it has been a failure. If a person(s) were to be hired by the leaque and actually treat it as a job as opposed to a a member of a team having to do it, we would regularly have updated stories on the site.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Half of it starts with the website that the AIHL uses being practically impossible to navigate, and literally impossible to use on a mobile phone. The thing is a disaster and looks like it was released about 2 years before it was done. And that's before you even speak about teams putting up articles or pictures- it's just a flat out backwards design that doesn't seem like it was intended to be used for hockey.

I agree 100% with your assessment. In addition, the lack of a proper functioning website prevented us from recording This Week in the AIHL which seemed to be a very popular asset to the league during the 08-09 season.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Just looked it up on ESPN 3 website It will indeed be on the internet broadcast on Memorial Day at 2pm and 3pm.

The other plus to this coverage is that the guys from Ratcast, Dave Gardner and myself, will be providing the play by play and color commentary on ESPN 360 so you can be assured that the announcers will know the game of inline hockey as opposed to having announcers who are unfamiliar with the sport. We are really looking forward to this. Hopefully everyone will tune in.....er...log on for the broadcast. This is a very big step to eventually getting some type of TV coverage for the league in the future.

[wildpuck]

I am going to propose that there should be money figured into the entry fee next season that would go to someone writing previews and recaps for each set of games. We've tried to have members of the teams write them and for the most part, it has been a failure. If a person(s) were to be hired by the leaque and actually treat it as a job as opposed to a a member of a team having to do it, we would regularly have updated stories on the site.

The only problem I see is that you can't write a quality recap without being at the game. With all the college players we have in the league, I find it hard to believe that some player doesn't know someone who is a journalism major. We should be reaching outside of the organization. There are plenty of resources out there that we really aren't tapping into.

The Cyclones definitely lacked in stories this season. While we did keep our website up to date, there was no easy way to tell that from the AIHL site. We definitely need to work on articles for next season, and while I don't speak for our owner, I am sure that he will agree with me that we need to search out some journalism students to help us out.

Oh yeah...the other problem is the website. Without getting into it, the fact that 90% of the site is in Flash annoys the hell out of me, especially since I am an iPhone user. Even on my notebook, the site is still sluggish.

I agree that having the league have someone dedicated to media items is a good idea and definitely a step in the right direction. However, I think we still need the teams to build up the grassroots organization for that person(s). Even if we just got one reporter per region, that would be a huge step in the right direction.

[wildpuck]

The other plus to this coverage is that the guys from Ratcast, Dave Gardner and myself, will be providing the play by play and color commentary on ESPN 360 so you can be assured that the announcers will know the game of inline hockey as opposed to having announcers who are unfamiliar with the sport. We are really looking forward to this. Hopefully everyone will tune in.....er...log on for the broadcast. This is a very big step to eventually getting some type of TV coverage for the league in the future.

Thank goodness you guys are doing the broadcast. I could only imagine the travesty that ESPN would put forth if they did it themselves.

[towson9]

The other plus to this coverage is that the guys from Ratcast, Dave Gardner and myself, will be providing the play by play and color commentary on ESPN 360 so you can be assured that the announcers will know the game of inline hockey as opposed to having announcers who are unfamiliar with the sport. We are really looking forward to this. Hopefully everyone will tune in.....er...log on for the broadcast. This is a very big step to eventually getting some type of TV coverage for the league in the future.

so the broadcast will not be aired live???

i see that they are putting it on memorial day when the finals are sunday minors 630pm and elites 8pm

also this will be video along with audio correct???

[BourneRoller]

Will there be a way to watch it after the fact?

[Mlrhnorthfan]

representing the FireAnts we always wrote alot of articles in the past and did for a while this year. However, the website is a pain to use. the service from the company is top notch and they have some good people that work there but the site is just not good.

I have a degree in information systems and have lots of trouble getting around the site. It wasnt worth the effort for us to keep posting articles when our own site was alot easier.

no need to hire someone to write the articles. Fine the teams that dont or reward the teams that do.

[minutemen]

RUPPY - the idea is good but that would be a lot for that person to do for the entire league. I would suggest that each team go to the local college in the area and talk to the Journalism department. Get a student to come write about the games, and work it out with the college so they get credit towards there work for the team. Or you can go to the local High School, as most now have there own weekly newspapers, and have one of those students write them. I know I used to write for my HS paper and I would have loved an opportunity like this. Also this can work for the taping and broadcasting of games. Since the league and teams are non profit you can go to the local public tv station and try and get them to do some games. Most PTV will do it for free if the team is non profit. Or go to your local college of high school and get some students to do it. For the HS students, have auditions to see what student is the best.

ZUBA - I totally agree with you. Those teams that do everything that is required and more, like the Fireants, should be rewarded. Those teams that do not I believe should be fined. I hear a lot of people complain about this, guess what go out and do it.

Why is there no article about the Finals and that it will be on ESPN 3 on the site. Most people in the League do not go on IHC, so that is the only place where they can find out. Now trust me I know people have a lot on their plates but it does not take long to write an article. Give me the information and I will do it. It the little things that make a difference and when you do them it goes along way.

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

Steve you are 100% correct with us not doing as many articles as I liked to write this season for the cyclones.

I started working on article last night for the finals and should be done in the next 48 hrs and posted.

The only way stuff gets done is if people step up and it is continuosly the same people each year who do and we get burned out. If you want to write an article next year for your team feel free to send it to me and I will make sure it gets posted.

Jeff

[DCbullets14]

This league is still new and has already accomplished alot. The whole ESPN 3 thing is a huge step for the sport and will only help to legitimize the sport.

The league should clean the website up a little prior to this nation wide exposure.

1. On the main page make sure all of the images are clearly defined and visible photos. The blurry images just look bad.

2. Try and get as many of the stats up as possible. Even if some games have to be fudged a little. The statistical accuracy is less important than the appearance.

Not being able to play the second half of the season really sucked. I cant wait to be back playing in this league again ;).

[CraigBrodz]

I agree with pretty much everything said so far about this, I think it is easy for teams to write a couple articles a month. I would volunteer to do it for my team. I would also volunteer to do a preview for Disney. The little things do make the biggest difference when it comes to these things.

I second the idea that ramifications should come from the league if teams do not post articles player pictures profiles etc. Don't know what it would be but maybe an increased league fee for the next season if they do not meet the standard set by the league. With a little bit of work and cooperation from everyone things can really improve ten fold.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

My reason for proposing a paid person(s) to write previews and recaps is simply due to the fact that so many teams have proven in the past that, for one reason or another, the write ups just don't get done! This is the only way to ensure that there is league wide coverage and representation on the league website. I understand that this does not apply to everyone as there are a certain number of teams who have written articles in the past, but I see this as the only way to be certain that each and every team in the league can remain in the headlines.

Someone mentioned to fine those who don't write them and to reward those who do. Although I think that may be a step in the right direction, my first response to that is you still haven't alleviated the problem and we will all be having this same exact conversation next year about teams not writing articles for the website. Secondly, who is going to monitor the website for the entire season to verify that each and every team have been submitting stories? Third, how is the league supposed to collect fines from a team guilty of not writing articles? As we all know, the majority of these teams operate on a shoestring budget so to expect to be able to collect a fine from them might be easier said than done.

Guys have mentioned having a journalism student possibly earn credits for school as an intern to write for a team. I actually proposed that idea 2 years ago and it was left up to each team to secure such a student. I think it's safe to say that there are a lot of people out there who selflessly do things for the teams that they are involved with but after 4 years of running an organization, I can tell you that running the day to day operations are a year round job which leaves very little time to do some of the extras that would enhance the overall product. I would fully support such an intern program, however I don't think that every single team would be able to do this, therefore leaving us in the same predicament that we are currently in.

I agree that a fully detailed article that can actually make you feel like you are at the game would need to be written by someone in attendance but I think our focus should be on an article that would at least give the score and highlight some of the statistical leaders of the games. That would at least satisfy the requirements for a front page story. Perhaps more in depth articles could supercede these very basic stories but in the event that an in depth one would not be written, at least there would be a guarantee of at least some sort of coverage instead of none whatsoever.

[CraigBrodz]

I love the idea of a Journalism Intern doing the articles for a team, and I have brought this idea up within my organization before. It would not only be great exposure for a developing Journalist, but it would make it easier for teams to get articles up on the website. I also agree that leaving this up to each team to secure one would be very difficult.

As for having one person hired to do articles and website maintenance would this be possible?? I would imagine one person for all of that would be difficult. Maybe one person writing the articles for each division or region would add to the quality but still might be difficulty to do.

It's just hard for me to understand how these things do not get done, and how players or people inside organizations who would volunteer, would not follow through. I know that I am not the greatest writer but I would definitely volunteer time to do articles for my team, the New England Division or Eastern Conference. Whatever is needed to help this league get to where it wants to be. The competition in this league is top notch, and if we want to be noticed as a top notch league then everything else needs to be that way as well.

I have seen many people step up on this board and volunteer their help why not utilize the help of these people to give this league a more professional look?

As for the website now, can we please touch it up before Disney so the league doesn't give people the impression that it is a Joke because we all know it is not. Again I would help if I can.

[icehog]

There is so much more that could be done with the AIHL, but the current website has to go. Nobody I talk to even bothers going to the site anymore, because you can't find anything without it taking all day.

I agree, good people, but a bad website for what the league needs it for. We had no way to do the Ratcast this year, because 90% of what we do on the show is taken from the website.

My suggestion before we get on ESPN 3, scrap that website. The season is over, we don't need it for anything anymore. Put up something simple, giving quick links to the final standings, and give each team a page with their logo, final player stats, and their scores/schedule, so there is something for people to see when they visit the page. That's all you will need for right now.

In my opinion, you do not want to direct any new fans to the current website.

dave

[CraigBrodz]

Dave, and Ruppy

I was wondering why there was no ratcast this year. I loved it last year and must say I was a frequent listener. That is definitely an important part of the league and you guys do a great job with it. Hope to hear it again for next season.

[zipyaj]

Good morning colleagues and greetings from Great Britain.

I have a sense of "de ja vue" or "We've been here before"!

Talks between IIHF & FIRS

I wonder if anyone else has any attributable or even unattributable information to add?

John
South West Wales, UK
http://www.brsf.co.uk


(excerpt*)... One of the most common problems for all international federations remains the media coverage of our events and the interest that we create around them, not only within but also outside our world. It is important that we all strive to achieve high quality events, interesting primarily for a common audience and then for the media.


Fellow Readers;
In this observer's opionion, the matter of web sites, media and creation of newsworthy content, or even minimal efforts put forth to that end, remains a sinful industry shortcoming. Further, that the vast majority of efforts that are being produced are merely published to the existing (vertical) audience with little-to-no concern for broader distribution (horizontal) to spread the word outside of the roller hockey world and grow the sport. Often, digital content that is being produced is merely of a "rink-rat" mindset resonating more of the latest MTV rap video than informative, public-friendly messaging. Many at the top of this pyramid lack strategy, tactics, wherewithal, skills and/or time to accomplish the goals at-hand.

The now bandaid approach to skeetshoot marketing faced by the AIHL et al in putting its best face forward for this event is further demonstration in support of the tone within the comments by the FIRS Secretariat.

While easy to critique in retrospect, the challenge is in the present lest again come back to say, "We've been here before"!

BEST!

(Take exception? Got ideas? Email me at the contact information below)

* Source: http://www.rollersports.org/datas.asp?load=313927067A008&show=T00302
Sportaccord 2010 - Concluding Remarks
May 06, 2010
Rome, by FIRS Secretariat

[towson9]

so these ideas are good but can anyone put together a short notice semi decent simple website for the teams going to disney???

or knows someone who can, that way they can easily navigate and doesnt make anyone look bad especially people tuning into the espn 3 broadcast

[Alvare71]

I know you can get a website up and running for around a thousand and maintain it for 60 to 100 a month, That what a webmaster does.

Cant it be budgeted into the season?

So everyone that is busy or has eight jobs not worry about it.

[Patn Lawton]

Kyle Shrauger of the Mavericks builds websites where he works. Maybe the Mavericks could get some kind of discount if he built a website for the league or something. Just a thought.

[g8kpr35]

yeah I don't write here often but the aihl website is really awful. After the 10 minute loading time its really bad when the first thing you see is the player of the week at 0 games 57 goals 26 assists and yet has 0 points. I understand that it is every teams responsibility to make sure that the score sheets are correct and the goals and assists are accounted for and turned in to the correct people. There are probably score sheets for every game from every team in the AIHL and I personally feel as though there is no excuses what so ever for not having the correct stats on the site.

Although at this point its very pointless to do but next season stats should be entered every sunday night or monday so that they don't all add up and becomes to much of a hassle to put into the system. I know personally there have been games I played but never counted but yet I was given credit on the score sheet. Whoever is in charge of stats next year has got to be on top of it. If stats are done correctly then that makes the league as a whole look much more "Professional" then it is right now. I still feel this is more or less a glorified travel adult league then anything else.

I hope a lot of new changes happen next year and am looking forward to the new season and hopefully a new look. Good luck to the rest of the teams that are in Florida. Also are the teams themselves having to pay for the trip to Florida along with the hotel? or is the league paying for the players to travel and stay?

#35 Garrett B.