Hockey team drops gloves yet again to fight cancer

Fredonia, N.Y. — Sept. 7, 2008 — Following the tremendous success of last February’s “Pink the Rink” breast cancer awareness and research fundraiser, the SUNY Fredonia men’s hockey team has decided to get a jump on this year’s event by starting things off a little earlier.

And while you won’t see the players donning their now famous, shocking pink jerseys and socks all season long, they will be raising money for their cause throughout that span.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the team will host “Power Plays for Cancer,” in the Steele Hall Ice Arena. The event will officially unveil the team’s extended commitment to raising funds to battle this devastating disease, and also feature an invitation to the community to skate with the Blue Devils during an open ice free-skate session.

From its first game of the season on Oct. 17 until its 2009 “Pink the Rink” game on Feb. 7, supporters will be asked to pledge money for every power play goal Fredonia scores. Pledge sheets will be distributed with amounts ranging from $1.00 to as high as any donor wishes to pledge. There will also be an option for one-time flat donations. The Blue Devils scored 30 power play goals last season and have averaged just over 37 during the past three seasons.

The concept came from senior Matt McKeown, a Sports Management & Exercise Science major from Niagara Falls, Ontario, who began thinking about ways in which the team could leverage the nationwide exposure generated by last season’s Pink the Rink night. The game — which featured Fredonia players wearing custom-designed bright pink jerseys and matching socks — garnered international headlines for the men’s hockey team, including stories on ESPN, CNN and ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Assistant Coach Greg Heffernan, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, turned the idea into a class project for his players, as well as sports management classes on campus, with support throughout the athletics department.

“I thought it would be great to tie-in with the ‘Pink the Rink’ game, especially with the success it had last year,” McKeown said. “As a senior, I wanted us to capitalize on the momentum we created, and turn this into something even better. Why do all of this for just one night, when we’re performing in front of thousands of people all season long? The whole team believes we can make an even bigger difference.”

During the Sept. 13 kickoff event, players and coaches will join in an “open skate” with both on- and off-campus community members. In addition, representatives from the American Cancer Society will be on-hand, assisted by the Blue Devils, to distribute information about the season-long campaign and answer any questions attendees might have.

“It’s so encouraging to see our students wanting to take what we accomplished and use that as a springboard for something more,” Coach Heffernan said. “It really makes you feel good to know that we’re not only making progress against this terrible disease, but we’re also making a difference in the lives of these students. They’re building tremendous character and becoming even better individuals.”

No tickets are necessary to attend the Power Plays for Cancer kickoff, and all proceeds will go directly to the American Cancer Society. For more information, please call the SUNY Fredonia Sports Information Department at 716-673-3100.