In a rather unique marketing attempt to use social media to build buzz around the Army ice hockey program, the Black Knights are allowing fans to choose which sweater Army should wear for its game on Saturday against AIC.

"WEST POINT, N.Y. - For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to choose what color sweater the Army hockey team wears.

Based solely on vote totals, Army will don either its white, gray or gold sweaters for the Saturday, Feb. 18 contest against American International.

[snip]

Fans are encouraged to like the Army Athletics Facebook page at Army Black Knights and then make their choice. Fans can vote until 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 when the winning selection will be announced."

This is a pretty great way of interacting with fans and expanding the program's reach. And while Boston College hockey attendance annually ranks in the top 10 in the country, and Army is lucky to draw 1,000 fans to their own barn, the program could learn a thing or two from Army. And not just the BC hockey team, but hoops, football and other Olympic sports programs.

In fact, let's do a little marketing experiment right now.

What color sweater would you want to see BC wear for its next home game on Friday, Feb. 17 against Merrimack?* The Frozen Fenway gold alt uniforms with "EAGLES" written diagonally across the front, the home whites or the road maroon sweaters? Voting will be open between now and the Beanpot Championship. Once the final tally is in, someone send Coach York the results.

Unrelated: like us on Facebook.

* Will have no bearing on what color sweater the team actually wears that night against MC.