Puckheads

The Puckheads are a group of stupid and loud fans loyally devoted to the Northern Michigan University Wildcats hockey team. The group is made up of students as well as residents from around the community. Some members are with the group in spirit, being as they have graduated and moved out of the Marquette, Michigan area.

History

The Puckheads were founded in November 1996 at Lakeview Arena. A couple of friends (Mojo, Biku Baska Hosu, Chief, Moneyman & Sled-dog) decided to cheer loudly for the team during the lean years as well as jeer the referee and heckle the opposing goalie. Numerous people have come and gone since, but wearing a hard-hat is a staple that has lived on. The hardhat holds the puck to the top of the wearers head, signifying not only their devotion to the team but, also to the sport of hockey. The founder, Darren Muljo (Mojo), had a vision not only to be an avid supporter but to be an ambassador of the game. The Puckheads travel and follow the team on many occasions and have made friends with fans of other universities. The closest friendship being that with the Red Army at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Their antics and fellowship have inspired many similar groups around the NCAA scene, even Mitch's Misfits at their rival school, Michigan Tech University.

Present Day

Section 16 is right in the middle of the student section and is conveniently located directly behind the opposing goalie during the first and third periods. Everyone is fair game as they joke and jeer not only the goalie but, the referees, the other players and even the opposing coach. There are many instruments to aid the Puckheads in their noisy banter ranging from cowbells to drums, to horns to tambourines. There is even an old pump-handle foghorn that was "donated" for use. Other interesting 'weapons of choice' that have made appearances include: large metal spoons with empty buckets, two pieces of wood attached with leather to form a clacker, frying pans, hollow fire extinguishers with a missing end beaten by rebarb and milk jugs filled with pennies or unpopped corn.

Any fan can yell and scream with the ebb and flow of a hockey game but these neon and reflective clad warriors do much more. Chants and cheers have been passed down through the ranks over the last decade as well as many cheers being made up during the night. One was the variation of My Sharona for Nick Sirota. In other sports, the cheerleaders traditionally lead the crowd in cheers to rally their team to fight to victory. At Northern Michigan, it is usually the other way around. Cheerleaders have been known to wait and listen for the Puckheads to start a rally cry, then join in and help keep it going.

Cheers & Traditions

Many traditions follow the Puckheads year to year and from venue to venue. A hat-trick is celebrated by the removal and tossing of their hardhats, saluting their hero. In a blatant show of mockery towards UNO, the first home goal scored against the Mavericks is celebrated with a large fish thrown to the ice. A large stripper showing off their goods in the middle of the third period or getting the crowd to do the wave are both game night rituals.

Another tradition that is associated with the Puckheads is their aliases. The founder used his surname Muljo to form the nickname Mojo. From that most other Puckhead names are derived.Mojo, Lujo, Kujo, Banjo, Meljo, Average-jo, Hojo, GI-jo, Lucky-jo, Cuppa-jo, Farmer-jo, Ram-jo, Hotown-jo, Crazy-jo, JV-jo, Ääne-jo(to name a few). Every now and then a Puckhead is innovative and his/her name is derived by a special quirk. Bob, an alumnus, gets shirtless in front of section 16, hence his puckhead name "Shirtless Bob." Sean, a current puckhead wears a sieve/colander on his head, creating his nickname "Sieveboy."

Cheers

"Sung to the tune of Mary Had A Little Lamb"
(Insert Goalie's Name) is a great big sieve, great big sieve, great big sieve,
(Name) is a great big sieve, he lets the pucks go by
yeah yeah yeah
One by one he lets them in, lets them in, lets them in,
One by one he lets them in 'til Northern wins the game!

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Give me an N!
N
Got to have an N!
Give me an M!
M
Got to have an M!
Give me a U!
U
Got to have a U!
NMU NMU N-M-U!

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What's that? (Point to team goalie)
GOALIE!
What's that? (Point to opposing goalie)
SIEVE!
(x2)
(Pointing to both goalies) Goalie, Goalie! Sieve Sieve! (x3)

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A lot of the cheers are yell and response:

Hey (Insert Name), do you like Mickey Mouse?
M-I-C K-E-Y O-U-S-O-B
(Name)
YOU SUCK!
(Name)
YOU SUCK!

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ee also

Cameron Crazies

Sources

http://www.nmu.edu
http://www.fourtotheside.com/hockey/archives/00000004.html
http://gallery.pasty.com/nmuwildcat/albuv54/albuv91/DSCF1733.jpg.html