Hockey team raises money for nationals
The USU hockey team is heading into the final game of its season with a record of 27-1, an invitation to the American Collegiate Hockey National Championship in Fort Myers, Fla., and one big goal.
“I think this team has a good chance of winning the whole thing,” said director of campus recreation Scott Wamsley. “There are some tough teams out there, but the makeup and character of this team seems to be really good.”
The Aggies have the best record in their division and beat Brigham Young University last weekend by a score of 20-0.
USU hockey club president Bryce Scherschel said the trip to nationals is much more than a hockey game.
“We want to go to nationals so we can successfully represent Utah State and bring a national title back to Logan,” Scherschel said. “As much as it is about the players’ personal goals, it’s about bringing a championship back for the school.”
When the Aggies received the invitation to the tournament Monday night, Scherschel said the team was excited. That was before the costs were weighed.
“The reality is it’s $25,000,” Scherschel said. “Seeing as how we’re taking 25 players, plus personnel, it was perhaps unrealistic to expect a bill less than that amount.”
If it comes up with the money, the team will travel to Fort Myers, Fla., to play against some of the best college hockey teams in the nation, March 12-18.
Wamsley said he recognizes the financial burden it places on the players.
“It’s an expensive trip,” he said. “The boys have put in some extra money.”
Wamsley said the players have put in $2,400 in addition to the team fees they paid at the beginning of the season.
USU head coach Jon Eccles said the sum was something he tried to prepare the team for.
“We’ve prepared them throughout the year, saying, ‘If we make it, it’s going to be a lot of money,'” Eccles said.
Even with the individual contributions, the team came up short. Scherschel said he felt it wasn’t possible to ask each player to fund their own trip, so the Aggies came together to solve the dilemma.
“Because our players come from a variety of backgrounds,” Scherschel said, “we felt it was in the best interest of the players to fund-raise the money.”
The players have been pounding pavement, talking to local businesses and asking for contributions. That, along with small donations and the help of a hockey booster club has helped the team put a dent in the cost.
“They’re getting out in the community and seeing what we can raise,” Eccles said. “The community has been very good to us in the past.”
The Aggies have already raised $7,900 but are working toward the additional $17,000 needed.
Eccles said he feels the work the men are putting in will benefit them not only through the funds raised but will also give them an opportunity to network with Cache Valley business owners.
“Hopefully it will help the boys become closer and tighter with the community,” Eccles said.
Connection with the community is something Scherschel said he values.
“The recent theme in our locker room has been ‘positive image,’ and we’re looking to carry that mission statement to nationals,” Scherschel said.
As a USU hockey player, Scherschel said he wants the team to be involved in the community.
“It’s a matter of reaffirming and maintaining our stance in the community and around the university that we are an organization committed to upholding the values that make Utah State and Cache Valley the great place it is,” Scherschel said.
Scherschel said he has faith the community will be willing to help out the team.
“A community’s strength lies in the amount of gratuity the community is willing to put back into itself,” Scherschel said. “As a team, we would love for our community to justify that statement. We feel blessed to be a part of the fabric of the university and of Cache Valley.”
Scherschel said he believes the community is willing to support the team.
“We are confident that our fellow students and citizens have the resources to aid us in our
trip,” Scherschel said.
Scherschel said he feels the trip is much more about the team than the individual players.
“It’s about representing the emblem on the front of the jersey,” Scherschel said, “not the name on the back.”
– meredith.kinney@aggiemail.usu.edu