| Ice Hockey Raises $21,000 in Third Annual Military Appreciation Night |
11.01.12 |
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In its third annual Military Appreciation Night, the Lebanon Valley College ice hockey team collected $21,000 in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.
The event took place during a home game against the U.S. Naval Academy at Hersheypark Arena Friday, Oct. 26.
“Our team had a great amount of success with this game,” said defenseman Tyler Skroski ‘14. “Everything around the game seemed to blow up from the start of everything. We were able to sell out of all our t-shirts for the first time, and we were able to raise $21,000 for the people who put everything on the line to serve our country. It is a great feeling knowing that we are able to help them with this game.”
Skroski and goalie Matthew Turner ’13 have been instrumental in organizing the event throughout its three years, and this season they have worked to involve some of the team’s underclassmen for continued success in the future.
Money was raised through donations accepted at the Wounded Warrior Project website and collected at the gate, t-shirt sales prior to and during Military Appreciation Night, silent auctions for items donated by the College and local businesses, and the team’s annual jersey auction.
The team got an early start on its collection this year when the Navy Club of Lebanon - Ship No. 91 committed to make a $5,000 donation. That donation was raised to $5,200 by game day and was presented during pregame festivities by George Gilbert Sr., junior executive officer of the Navy Club Ship 91. Gilbert served 20 years in both the Marine Corps during the Vietnam era and the Army Reserves in Operation Desert Storm.
Pregame also included a performance of Taps by Nick Harman ‘15, a music recording technology major and the singing of the national anthem by 10-year-old Piper Weldon from State College, Pa. The color guard was presented by the 28th Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division from Ft. Indiantown Gap.
On the ice, the game went to overtime and the Dutchmen emerged with a 3-2 win on a top-shelf goal by Wes Landsem ‘13, who ended the night with two goals. Skroski finished with a goal and an assist, and Cole Bell ’13 recorded assists on all three goals.
“Winning the game was also great, especially since Navy is a nationally ranked team and a league rival of ours,” Skroski said. “I give them all of my respect from their coaching staff down to each and every player, and I'm glad that they are a part of the game each year. All in all, I don't know if anything with the game could have gone better. Winning a league game like that and raising that amount of money is nothing to hang your head about.”
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