Albany and Adirondack both outdraw Union and RPI so it's a point that people make, but the point they're trying to make is unclear. Union does not always sell out a 2,000 something seat dump. They are good fans, I used to work the games in the early 90's and many of the same fans were on TV during the championship game.
You worked the games in the early 1990s, are you really serious????? Union's hockey program was still somewhat in its infancy through much of the 1990s, it wasn't until the mid 2000s that the college started investing more into the program. Not just money but builders as well, building a core philosiphy and a system which has culminated in the success of a national title. That goal is almost unimaginable considering the size of the school, the financial resources, probably a game changer for NCAA hockey down the road.
If the 1990s could be used to as merit then what about the Smallbany River Rats. Back in the 1990s they were drawing 4500, 5000, and one season drew over 6000 fans per game. Those teams were among the most competetive around the AHL and the pretty much the last decent product the New Jersey Devils ever established in the AHL. Today the Devils, and support in Smallbany is at the bottom rung around the league. Times change, mid 1990s was two decades ago. If Smallbany wants to have more then just Union College hockey to enjoy their AHL team needs a rebuild. There is a fan base there for sure as I have said I believe the Rangers are the ideal fit but college hockey teams are out to win games. AHL teams if they want to exist in the NCAA saturated college hockey market better get on the ball. Going through the development motions do not win over fans. Look at the Bears, a season not qualifying for the playoffs and the fans want heads to roll lol, Smallbany goes over a decade without even qualifying for the playoffs and 3500 fans still show up year in year out lol....If a team my way failed to make the playoffs I would gladly assist the club with packing up the U-Haul or Ryder vans for them