It’s obvious that DU has put an emphasis on school spirit during the last several years.

And yet, it’s only getting harder for students to attend the biggest sport at DU: hockey.

With increased ticket prices for students and many of the games during winter break, it is getting increasingly harder for students to make attending DU hockey games a priority.

Hockey games have always been a big part of DU culture. In fact, it is usually the only sporting event with high attendance ratings. That is, unless the game falls during DU’s winter interterm. 

I can remember seeing busses full of CC students arrive at Magness. The students all have matching shirts and fill the section of the arena across from the DU student section. And yet, when I went to a CC game in Colorado Springs my freshman year, there were maybe a dozen students present.

We sat in the rafters of the World Arena in Colorado Springs and were surrounded by the most obnoxious people in the whole arena. Why the pathetic turnout?Because the game was sometime between Thanksgiving and New Year’s and the DU campus was as empty as the stands.

It is common to have many of DU’s biggest games happen while students are out of state for the holidays. This year is no different. 

DU will face North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Colorado College at home between Nov. 20 and Dec. 12.

Three of our biggest rivals will play at DU with very little student representation in the arena’s stands.

Who decides the schedule? Can’t DU fight to have its biggest games played at a time when students can attend?

If the date of a game isn’t enough to affect student attendance, the price will defer even more students away from the hockey stands. 

Last Sunday, my roommate texts me, “I have a story idea for you.” As of this school year, DU hockey tickets are not always only $5 anymore.

The Ritchie Center ticket office ticket policy “allows you to purchase a five dollar DU student ticket…for a week’s game starting Monday of that week up until 5 p.m. on Thursday, after which you can purchase a ticket to the game for the $18 general public price.”

Apparently DU students become general public after Thursday at 5 p.m.

DU is nowhere near the level of spirit anybody would hope for. And, what have they done to change this? Increase the price of tickets for students. The message being sent to students is that it is even more difficult to attend DU hockey games.

We’re college students. How many social events occur without any planning? If I was sitting around the afternoon of a hockey game and thought about going, I would be completely dissuaded by the price.

In fact, I wouldn’t I’d go for $18. Instead I use the money to see two movies, eat dinner out twice, or do a million other things. 

As the hockey season begins, I can only hope that student attendance will increase. The goal is to pack the stands and build school spirit.

But, I can’t help but feel doubtful instead of optimistic about these goals.