The overwhelming takeaway was this: 2017-18 felt like a turning point.
Fans didn’t pretend the program suddenly became elite overnight, but they consistently talked about a new mindset, stronger effort, and a clear sense that the program was finally moving in the right direction. The arrival of a new coaching staff brought renewed optimism, and many fans said they enjoyed watching the team improve as the season went on.
Just as important as the on-ice product was the sense of community. Fans repeatedly mentioned how much they value the shared experience — talking hockey with other fans, following the team together online, and feeling like part of something bigger than just a single game. For many, that sense of connection is what keeps them coming back.
At the same time, the survey made it clear that loyalty doesn’t mean not voicing your opinion. Even among long-time season ticket holders, there were real concerns about pricing, especially for families and upper-bowl fans. Many people said UNO Hockey is their main winter entertainment, but rising ticket and concession costs are making it harder to justify attending every game.
Fans also talked about value beyond wins and losses. Small things matter. Simple season ticket holder perks, better communication, and clearer recognition of long-time supporters came up again and again. Most weren’t asking for anything extravagant - just signs that their loyalty is noticed and appreciated.
Game-day atmosphere drew a mix of praise and constructive criticism. Baxter Arena is viewed as a good venue, and production elements and student energy were seen as improvements. But fans asked for better balance — fewer awkward promotions, fairer access to giveaways across all sections, and a little more awareness of volume and pacing.
Perhaps the most telling insight was how fans actually stay informed. Many rely on fan-run spaces and word-of-mouth more than traditional advertising. That community network plays a major role in keeping people engaged, informed, and invested in the program.
Taken together, the feedback paints a picture of a fan base that is hopeful, committed, and paying attention. Fans believe the program is headed in the right direction. They want to help it grow. And they’re offering thoughtful, practical ideas not because they’re unhappy — but because they care.
We’ve always believed that the people who show up, buy tickets, travel, and stick with the program through ups and downs have valuable insight. This survey wasn’t about venting or grading a season. It was about listening. Capturing what fans actually experienced, what they value, and what they think would make UNO Hockey better. The goal has always been the same: help the program grow by amplifying thoughtful fan feedback and turning it into something constructive.
Feedback From the Fans
Review of the 2017-18 UNO Hockey Season
Submitted by
Mavpuck.com
Overview
The administrators of the Maverick hockey fan site Mavpuck.com solicited feedback from UNO hockey fans following the 2017-18 season to better understand fan experiences at Baxter Arena, perceptions of value, and opportunities to improve the overall game-day experience.
Feedback was collected through an online survey distributed during and immediately after the season. This report reflects completed survey responses only. Respondents included long-time season ticket holders, newer fans, students, and fans who follow the program from outside Omaha.
Specifically, this report focuses on the following areas:
Who responded to the survey and how they engage with UNO Hockey
What fans enjoyed most about the 2017-18 season
Season tickets, renewal considerations, and perceived value
In-game promotions and activities
Overall game-day atmosphere at Baxter Arena
Fan communication channels, community, and engagement
Key opportunities identified by fans
This report combines quantitative results with verbatim fan comments to highlight recurring themes and practical suggestions.
Who Responded
Fan tenure
Survey respondents skewed heavily toward long-time fans:
- First season: a very small percentage
- 2-3 years (Baxter era): under 10%
- 4-9 years (Qwest/Centurylink years): just under one-third
- 10+ years: just under one-quarter
- Since Day 1 (1997): approximately one-third of respondents
- This indicates that the feedback primarily reflects the perspectives of fans with deep familiarity and long-term emotional investment in the program.
Season ticket status
The survey was dominated by season ticket holders:
Full-game season ticket holders represented the clear majority
Smaller segments included former season ticket holders, fans who have never held season tickets, and students
As a result, much of the feedback — especially on pricing, renewal, and value — comes from fans who are financially and emotionally committed to the program.
Blue Line Club participation
Only a small percentage of respondents indicated they joined the Blue Line Club during the 2017-18 season. Among those who did not join, many indicated either lack of awareness, unclear value, or limited participation in BLC activities.
What Fans Enjoyed Most About the 2017-18 Season
The most consistent theme in open-ended responses was optimism about the direction of the program under the new coaching staff.
Fans repeatedly referenced:
A new mentality and culture
Improved structure and effort
Visible buy-in from players
A sense that the program was moving in the right direction
Representative comments included:
“New mentality and attitude to the team with Gabs in charge now.”
“Clear evidence of a new era under Gabinet.”
“The growth of the culture under Gabinet.”
“The team exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t sure before the season.”
Beyond on-ice performance, fans also cited:
Improved energy at Baxter Arena
Better student section participation
Strong video production and in-game presentation
A sense of community among fans, particularly through the Mavpuck Facebook group
Several fans described the season as more enjoyable even when results were inconsistent, because effort and engagement felt different than in previous years.
Season Tickets, Renewal, and Value Perception
Strong loyalty, but with growing pressure
Many season ticket holders indicated they had already renewed or fully intended to renew. For these fans, UNO Hockey represents their primary winter entertainment and a way to support the university and program they care about.
At the same time, a significant number of comments reflected price sensitivity, especially among:
Families
Fans in the upper bowl
Fans balancing other sports or entertainment spending
Common themes included:
Rising ticket prices
High concession costs
Difficulty justifying attendance for a family of four
Comparisons to other local sports and entertainment options
Representative comments included:
“Great value for the dollar. Our top entertainment expenditure after dining out.”
“Concessions are way too high. Hard to take the family to every game.”
“It should never cost a family of four $120 to go to a game.”
Desire for recognition and perks
Even among loyal season ticket holders, many fans expressed a desire to feel more appreciated. Suggestions were often modest and practical, such as:
Concessions discounts or refillable cups for season ticket holders
Apparel discounts
Small giveaways or exclusive items
More season ticket holder-only events
Several fans explicitly stated that they renew because they love the program, not because of the perks — but that better recognition would strengthen that loyalty.
Ticket management and flexibility
A recurring frustration involved ticket transfer and seat management:
Difficulty transferring tickets to friends or family
Challenges upgrading seats
Informal seat “ownership” without official transfer options
Additionally, fans repeatedly mentioned frustration with:
Large blocks of empty premium or club seats
The contrast between empty sections for many games and packed sections for marquee opponents
This was perceived as both an optics issue and a missed opportunity to improve atmosphere.
In-Game Promotions and Activities
Fan opinions on promotions fell into two clear camps.
“I’m here for the hockey”
A substantial portion of respondents stated that promotions have little impact on their enjoyment. These fans indicated they attend games to watch hockey and often ignore intermission activities altogether.
Comments included:
“Nothing. I don’t come to games for those things.”
“I bring reading material between periods.”
“Doesn’t much matter to me.”
Fans who care want fairness and consistency
Among fans who do pay attention to promotions, several themes emerged:
Promotions and giveaways disproportionately favor the lower bowl
Upper-level fans rarely have opportunities to participate
Some activities feel awkward, repetitive, or poorly executed
Promotions that were consistently mentioned positively:
Bubble soccer
Chuck-a-puck (with better organization)
Interactive or competitive shooting contests
Common criticisms included:
Limited reach of t-shirt tosses
Awkwardness of the kiss cam
Dislike of lottery ticket or credit card-based promotions
A desire for more creativity and fairness
Many fans emphasized that fewer, better-executed promotions would be preferable to a larger number of low-impact activities.
Game-Day Atmosphere at Baxter Arena
Overall sentiment about Baxter Arena was generally positive, with fans acknowledging improvements over previous seasons.
Positive elements cited included:
Strong video and production quality
Improved student section energy
Traditions such as post-win celebrations and fight song moments
The most frequent criticism related to volume and noise levels:
Music perceived as too loud
Difficulty conversing in seating areas
Concerns from fans with sensory sensitivities
Importantly, this feedback was rarely framed as “the atmosphere is bad,” but rather as “the atmosphere is close and could be better tuned.”
Communication, Community, and Engagement
How fans get information
Fans overwhelmingly rely on digital and community-based sources for information about UNO Hockey. The most frequently cited sources included:
Mavpuck.com
Mavpuck social media channels
Omaha World-Herald coverage
UNO Athletics social media
Traditional advertising channels such as radio and television were mentioned far less frequently.
Role of fan community
Engagement data and comments reinforce the importance of fan-to-fan community:
Long-term participation in the Mavpuck Facebook group was common
Many fans indicated they learn about renewals, events, and news through other fans rather than official communications
This suggests that fan-run communities play a significant role in sustaining engagement, particularly among long-time supporters.
Key Opportunities Identified by Fans
Based on recurring themes, fans identified several areas where small changes could have meaningful impact:
Enhance season ticket holder recognition with simple, tangible perks
Address pricing pressure, particularly for families and upper-bowl fans
Improve ticket flexibility, including transfers and upgrades
Rebalance promotions so upper-level fans can participate
Fine-tune game-day volume and pacing rather than overhauling atmosphere
Leverage fan communities more intentionally as communication partners
