In the spring of 2001 the THRASHERVILLE staff traveled to Michigan to visit with freelance contributor “Go Time” Malone while he was hospitalized in Kalamazoo. Some of us were also able to get an early look at the Thrashers’ 2000 first round draft pick, Dany Heatley. ‘Heater’ and his Wisconsin teammates were competing in the NCAA Regional in nearby Grand Rapids.

On our flight back to Atlanta, our staff photographer “Kato” said she had never seen such rambunctious hockey crowds. There was continuous yelling and singing from beginning to end of each contest. The fight songs, various chants, and good natured taunting between the fans, all left her thoroughly impressed with the entire event. “Kato” has attended many sporting events in the past and she compared the college hockey fans to a miniature version of crowds she had observed firsthand while photographing soccer in Brazil.

Others in our small group from places such as Alberta, Michigan, and the Northeast took turns explaining the many customs surrounding various hockey teams. Pep bands in college, the “white-out” in Winnipeg, air-raid sirens at Flin Flon Bomber games, and irritating noise makers from cowbells to quackers. No matter where you go, each of these traditions add to the fans’ enjoyment of the game and are ingrained as part of that teams history.

“Kato” wondered why none of this goes on in Atlanta. I explained it is hard to chant “SIEVE” when:
A. 3/4 of the people do not know what it means.
B. Your own goalie tandem is the epitome of the word.

Somebody mentioned ”GRANDMA” and ”THRASHHEART” while the rest of us fought to get to our air sickness bags. Those of us who were able to hold down our food began to compare other teams’ traditions to what goes on at THRASHER games...

A tradition dating back only to the Gulf War at each Blackhawk game in Chicago starts with thunderous yelling throughout the National Anthem, while in Atlanta during the National Anthem there are still some IDIOTS cheering for a long defunct minor league team...
The Winnipeg Jets (now the Phoenix Coyotes) have the celebrated “White Out” where fans don white clothing for playoff games. The THRASHERS tried that without much success even after GIVING AWAY free white T-shirts...
Detroit has squid; Atlanta has posters, beer cups, mouse pads, or whatever freebie was dispensed at that night’s contest...
In Columbus fans gave a standing ovations for the closing minute of every game. At Philips Arena, the same “fans” that are oblivious to the puck in play rule yell “SIT DOWN!” anytime something exciting occurs.

I pointed out that Atlanta hockey fans are still showing up to the games to be seen and not necessarily heard. They are not going to put on a free T-shirt if it is going to mangle a guys tie or mess their wife’s four foot high excessively teased mullet. Atlanta’s spectators have no time for tradition. They are too busy on their cell phone bemoaning the fact they shelled out $4500 for tickets and J. Bird did not pay them a visit or they missed the “UPS Delivery Of The Game”. The Atlanta sports fan’s tradition is apathy and whining! One of us brought up that tradition follows success, but if that were true how do you explain the sellouts at Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, or UGA football games?

Traditions can not be manufactured by the marketing department, they are brought about by a diehard following, unfortunately something Atlanta’s sports teams cannot seem to capture. So unless your favorite pastime is being seen, booing the home team, complaining about trades that you do not understand, or trying to decipher what the “Gettin’ sheezy wit da weezy!” sign means, you may be in the wrong town....