Club Presidents Ben Blond '08 and Tosin Onafowokan '08E have brought the team to new heights with their leadership, organization and welcoming nature. By accommodating players of all skill levels in hockey and skating, the Club team has seen an admirably diverse group of participants. The crew is made up of first-timers, faculty members (Don Kells, the postmaster, is a regular and skilled player on the team), figure skaters, high school varsity players and even former Amherst varsity players. "This vast range allows a lot of growth for the weaker skaters while still remaining fun for the more advanced players," said Onafowokan.
The club team recently changed its title from IM to club because of a reinstatement of Senate support. The team received discretionary funds from the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) last semester, and will be filling out a yearly budget starting this spring. Blond's efforts to get the club on solid ground have been successful, but there is still room for growth. "We hope that having Senate approval will make our club more recognizable as a legitimate organization and encourage membership," said Blond.
Although the AAS provides the monetary means for the club to function, the men's and women's ice hockey coaches and rink staff have been indispensable to the club. They accommodate the athletes with rink time, storage space, help with sharpening skates and even some tutorials. While many members have equipment of their own, others rely on a partnership with the Amherst College Outing Club, which has benefited the squad with skate loans.
Due to Senate funding, extra equipment was made available for a scrimmage between the club team and the women's varsity ice hockey team-a fun and friendly event that put the cherry on top of the club team's growing success. On March 1, a competitive spark ignited the ice in Orr Rink, providing an intense and entertaining contest between the two impressively skilled teams.
The game had a professional feel with men's ice hockey team member Robert Balanda '06 and Erik Lund '07 refereeing and baseball players Brian Donahue '07 and Thomas Scott '07 controlling music and announcements. Many members of the baseball team got into preseason shape by participating in club hockey this year. In fact, baseball teammates Mark Mazzone '07 and Nick Boehm '08 scored five of the team's six goals while Neal Allar '08 led the defensive end and Robert Anderson '06 only allowed three goals as he manned the net.
The club team appreciated that the women's squad agreed to the face-off, as it was the first opportunity for the club to play with goalie gear and full rules.
The ice in Orr Rink will soon be melted away, but so will the snow outside. The time is coming when Amherst students migrate to the quads and Memorial Hill to say goodbye to winter. If the example set by the club ice hockey team is followed, a new group of spring club and intramural sports will bring Amherst students to the softball field, Connecticut River or wherever their athletic endeavors lead them.