In Appreciation: Gary Del Vecchio

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I've been very sad for the last few days. One of the very best people in inline hockey has moved on. I don't know all of the details, even though I've asked for them. (I know that his replacement is a class act as well.)

Recently, Gary Del Vecchio moved on from his position as director of USA Hockey InLine.

I've known Gary for many years. I think I first met him when he was working for the National Inline Hockey Association in the early 1990s. Most of the people he worked with at that time have long since moved on to other endeavors, but Gary continued to give everything that he had to help grow inline hockey.

I'm not privy to all of the details of USA Hockey and its organization -- they keep things very close to the vest. I remember being astounded years ago when I interviewed one of Gary's predecessors and learned that his comments had to be vetted by some public relations person 20 years his junior in age and experience. To me, that's a complete joke, but I'm very transparent and I wear my heart on my sleeve... often to my detriment. However, it's hard for me not to believe that USA Hockey and USA Hockey InLine might have been much more successful in this past decade or so if they'd been more honest and more real.

Gary, I want to thank you here for all that you have done for the great sport of inline hockey. Wherever you end up, I know that you will be successful, because you are smart, passionate and completely honest. You are someone whom I admire greatly.

Good luck to you in everything you do. Thank you for all that you did for inline hockey, and thank you for being my friend.

[hockeyrules]

Inline hockey has just lost a longtime embassador. Gary thank you for you efforts and I wish you the best of luck in you future endeavors.

[Ronnie Williams]

Good Luck Gary, I enjoyed working with you over the years. I am sorry I didn't get to know you as well as others. Thanks again for making the trip to Georgia last month to discuss the grass roots of inline and where it's going if we don't make changes!

Ronnie Williams
SGAA Dual Deck Director
Snellville, GA

[zipyaj]

Richard;
Thank you, as always, for keeping this community well-informed of current events that may affect us one and all. The news of Gary Del Vecchio moving on from his position as director of USA Hockey InLine is just such news.

Gary;
I trust you already know that you have a long list of admirers and people you've touched from coast to coast. I include myself in each list. Your passion for this sport is a shining example for everyone to aspire to, and anyone who knows you knows it to be true. I am likewise proud that my centennial post on IHC is dedicated to such a well-deserving man.

My sincere best wishes are with you in everything you do!

[rhhof]

I would like to express my love and appreciation for everything Gary has done over the years...I have also known him for a long time and have seen the NIHA to USAIL transition and loved every second. The alliance and work that Gary has done to bring some much of our sport together over the years has been fabulous and he will be missed!!

I wonder if we will see him in Vegas next month....

I wish him the BEST in his future, whatever it has in store!

[mrrinkrat15]

Very sad to here the news about Gary! He is a good friend of mine both professionally and personally. Rink Rat and Team USA have partnered the past two years for the IIHF USA Team and it was a pleasure working with Gary and all his staff during those two years.

From Rink Rat and myself personally I wish Gary the best!

You will be missed!

Michael Hunt
Rink Rat
One 5 Hockey Clinics

[DannyG]

I first met Gary over the phone in 92/93 while calling the NIHA national office...my latest colloquy was his letter to my daughter awarding her the USAHIL college scholarship award for this year.

In between these two events have been Gary's years of singular dedication, integrity, and conviction, all in the sole interest of our sport.

I make it a habit of trying to say "thank you" to people every day, for the little things as well as the big things.

Gary, I hope I have said "Thank you," for at least half of all the incredible work you have done over the past 15 years in inline hockey.

Thanks!

-Dan