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Just out of curiosity, besides the University of Buffalo (UB) roller hockey club team, are there any other organized college roller hockey club teams in the Western NY area in 2002-2003????? While attending Daemen College I was not able to get a solid roller hockey club program together but did get a ice hockey club team founded but unfortunately Buffalo NY area looks weak with respect to college club teams. Thanks for any input.
Hi Kordykid,
We may have talked in the past. Among other thing, I am the Director of Develpoment for the ECRHA. My main job is the assist students in their efforts to start club roller hockey teams. I am also in the process of soliciting interest in specific targeted schools in order to form Local Area Leagues (LAL). Because I'm based in Buffalo, I'm focusing initially on the Buffalo area schools. As you know, the biggest obstacle to forming roller hockey clubs in this area is the lack of suitable playing facilities, particularly ones that operate during the school year. Right now there is only one, the Epic Center. That's where UB practiced last year. It has a full-sized rink , but the boards aren't the best and there are no showers. He also doesn't have a lot of available time for practices.
The Buffalo Wings are working hard to construct a twin-pad dedicated roller hockey facility in WNY which would operate year round. Our goal is to have this building open by the spring or the summer of 2003: in time for the 2003-2004 school year. For the upcoming school year, the Wings are working on a temporary facility.
It's difficult trying to recruit schools during the summer. I will be contacting local Buffalo schools (as well as other schools in the region) starting in the next few weeks and throughout the coming school year to get these clubs starting in time for the following year. Obviuosly, this is a long term project. As the CRHL gets more exposure, it will be easier to recruit new schools without much effort. We're starting to see this this past summer.
The Wings were contacted a few years ago from someone from Daemen, but again there was nowhere for them to practice and play. If you are still interested in getting a roller hockey club started at Daemen you can contact me at [email protected] or [email protected]. I can provide you with materials as well as information on what rinks the Wings will have available.
Benny Gulakiw
Vice President of Operations
Buffalo Wings Roller Hockey
In regards to western NY theres also RIT and SUNY Brockport. I've seen signs of life in Syracuse U but i'm not sure how good that program is. Hoefully that helps
http://www.ecrha.net - the list of member teams there should help you out
Mike Burke
Commissioner
Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association
http://www.ecrha.net