RPI Hockey FAQ
Last updated June 22, 2008
1 General
1.0 What and where is RPI?
RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) is a private college founded in 1824 and located in Troy, New York. Its primary focus is education in the fields of engineering and science. 1.1 Is it RPI or Rensselaer?
Officially, the school prefers to be known as Rensselaer. However, for most of the 20th century the institute was known by its initials and continues to be known that way by most alumni. 1.2 Why is the school named Rensselaer?
The school was named after its founder, Stephen van Rensselaer. 1.3 Why is the school located in Troy, not Rensselaer?
The fact that the school Rensselaer is not located in the city Rensselaer causes some of confusion. Rensselaer, the city, was not created until 1897, 73 years after the school. So in 1824 the confusion did not exist. Additionally, the school and city are named for different people, as the city is named for Killiaen van Rensselaer, not Stephen van Rensselaer. 1.4 What are the RPI colors?
Cherry and White, dating back to the 19th century. 1.5 What is the RPI fight song?
"Hail, Dear Old Rensselaer" You can check out the lyrics or an mp3 by the RPI Glee Club. 1.6 What is the RPI logo?
The name "Rensselaer" underlined by a gray bar. Commonly known as the "Gray Bar." 1.7 What are the former logos?
The best known is the Bullet, which was the initials "RPI" surrounded by a circular ring. Fell out of favor when the Gray Bar was introduced, but has recently been reappearing. The institute seal is also used frequently. 1.8 What is the RPI mascot?
The Red Hawk. Introduced in the fall of 1995. Not seen at hockey games anymore, due mostly to student dissatisfaction. They refer to it as "The Chicken." 1.9 What was the former school mascot?
The Swarm, a bee-like creature that first appeared in the early 1980's. Its use was discontinued in 1992. It still has large sentimental support. 1.10 Where can I buy RPI merchandise?
The Rensselaer Student Union Bookstore sells merchandise. It is located in the basement of the Student Union or you can call 518-276-6555. 1.11 Where can I go to learn more about RPI?
Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteCall: 518-276-6000
Write: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th St.
Troy, NY, 12180-3590
2 Team
2.0 What is RPI's home rink?
The Houston Field House, located on the eastern side of campus at the top of People's Avenue. It was completed in 1949 and renovated in 1983. 2.1 Who is the head coach?
Seth Appert, a 1996 graduate of Ferris State University, was named to the position in April 2006. He has a 21-41-12 record in two seasons with the team. 2.2 Who are the assistant coaches?
- Jim Montgomery (Maine '93)
- Shawn Kurulak (Denver '99)
- Ben Barr (Rensselaer '04)
2.3 Who are the captains?
For the 2007-08 season the captain was Jake Morissette '08 and the assistant captains were Andrew Lord '08 and Jonathan Ornelas '08. 2.4 What do the home uniforms look like?
White jersey with white sleeves. Red shoulders trimmed with a white then black stripe. Thick red stripe around the sleeve trimmed with a white then black stripe. RPI in diagonal from upper right to lower left on the front. The bottom of the jersey is red, above which is a white then a black stripe. Puckman logo is on end of each shoulder. The back of the jersey has the last name above the number. Front and back lettering are in red. Number in red on the side of sleeve. Pants are red with white trim. Socks are white with a horizontal red stripe, trimmed in black. All letters/numbers trimmed in black. 2.5 What do the road uniforms look like?
Red jersey with red sleeves. Black shoulders trimmed with a red then white stripe. Thick black stripe around the sleeve trimmed with a red then white stripe. RPI in diagonal from upper right to lower left on the front. The bottom of the jersey is black, above which is a red then a white stripe. Puckman logo is on end of each shoulder. The back of the jersey has the last name above the number. Front and back lettering are in white. Number in white on the side of sleeve. Pants are black. Socks are red with a horizontal black stripe, trimmed in white. All letters/numbers trimmed in black. 2.6 What is the RPI hockey mascot?
Puck Man. A creature based on the Bullet. First appeared in print in the late 70's and in costume in 1998. 2.7 What conference is RPI in?
RPI is an NCAA Division I hockey institution that plays in the Eastern College Athletic Conference, along with Brown University, Clarkson University, Colgate University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, Quinnipiac University, St. Lawrence University, Union College and Yale University. 2.8 What championships has RPI won?
RPI was the NCAA National Champions in 1954 and 1985, the ECAC Tournament Champions in 1984, 1985 and 1995, and the ECAC Regular Season Champions in 1983-84 and 1984-85. They were also the champions of the Tri-State League in 1952-53, 1953-54 and 1956-57 and the ICAC in 1968-69 and 1971-72
3 History
3.0 How long has RPI played hockey?
Since January 25, 1902 when RPI lost to Williams 4-1 in a game played at Cohoes. 3.1 What was the best season?
1984-85. RPI went 35-2-1 and won the NCAA, ECAC Tournament and ECAC Regular Season titles. 3.2 What nicknames has RPI played under?
The team, currently the Engineers, was also known as the Bachelors until the 1960's. 3.3 How did Houston Field House get its name?
It was named for Livingston W. Houston, who was the president of RPI when the field house was procured from the Navy. Following his death, the RPI Field House was renamed the Houston Field House in 1978. 3.4 What other rinks have the Engineers called home?
Prior to 1912, RPI played in different locations in Cohoes and Albany. In 1912 an outdoor rink was constructed on what is now Anderson Field. It had no formal name, but was usually called the RPI Hockey Rink. It was also known as the Avenue B Rink (Sage Avenue was formerly known as Avenue B). This rink was constructed and used each year until the program was suspended after 1938, with the exception of the 1936-37 season. That year the rink was built on the tennis courts that were formerly on the west end of '86 Field. 3.5 What records do the Engineers hold?
Open to debate is whether the Engineers hold records for the longest Division 1 winning and undefeated streaks. RPI won 30 straight games during the 1984-85 season, but one game was against the University of Toronto, a Canadian team. Continuing into the 1985-86 season, RPI was undefeated over 38 games, including 2 wins over Toronto. Depending on how you define these records, RPI may be the holder. 3.6 What Division 1 schools has RPI never played?
Broken down by conference:Atlantic Hockey -- Canisius
CCHA -- Nebraska-Omaha, Northern Michigan
WCHA -- Minnesota State-Mankato
RPI has played every member of ECAC Hockey and Hockey East.
4 Internet
4.0 What Internet sites with Engineer material exist?
RPI Athletics Hockey Page 4.1 What Internet sites with Division 1 hockey material exist?
US College Hockey OnlineCollege Hockey News
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