CNY Adaptive Sports and Syracuse club hockey partner Disability Awareness Month with sled hockey event
CNY Adaptive Sports and Syracuse partner for Disability Awareness Month
Six mixed-ability teams competed in an afternoon of spirited sled hockey as part of OrangeAbility events.
In partnership with CNY Adaptive Sports, Syracuse club hockey hosted the Second Annual Sled Hockey Tournament on Sunday afternoon. The event took place in Tennity Ice Pavilion and many supporters attended to watch or participate in the action.
“This is what hockey is about,” said Jared Topf, a senior on the club team. “We had the opportunity and the blessing of playing hockey since we were five, six or seven years old. We played our whole life, and it became our entire life. It’s become our entire life in college too, so being able to give back to the community and help these guys out and help them appreciate the game that built us, it means everything to us.”
Six teams entered the sled hockey tournament. Club hockey players, sled hockey players and CNY Adaptive Sports organizers comprised the rosters. This was the second event that was hosted this month by CNY Adaptive Sports, as a way to promote Disability Awareness Month.
Their first event was a major success, as many participants from the Syracuse Panhellenic Council gave wheelchair basketball a try. The sled hockey tournament was somewhat similar, but required a lot more arm strength. The only way one can steer a sled on the ice is by using two miniature hockey sticks. These sticks were also used when shooting the puck into two smaller, unattended goals. Even though there was not as big of a crowd for four-on-four sled hockey, the event was an enjoyable experience for the attendees.
The atmosphere was as welcoming and vibrant as possible. There was free pizza, snacks, gatorade and even a television setup for fans of The Masters. There was also a smaller ice skating rink to accommodate people who did not want to participate in the tournament. Members of the media were given free reign to film, report and take part in the event. This was incorporated because of CNY Adaptive Sports’ mission to include everyone and ensure that nobody is left behind or missing out.
“This was wonderful. A community like Syracuse University is an awesome group of guys,” said Jamie Favatta, one of the organizers. Favatta was happy to know that even though most players aren’t from the area, they are still willing to support the community.
“They do an amazing job of highlighting some very talented athletes on this club hockey team that don’t necessarily get the recognition they deserve on a regular basis,” said Favatta. “It helps bring awareness and, even though you might see someone in a wheelchair or missing a leg or two, they are no less of people and are doing an amazing job.”
Up next for CNY Adaptive Sports is another wheelchair basketball outing on Tuesday. The tournament is at Barnes and is open to all. The organization has wheelchair rugby and wheelchair lacrosse on deck for later this month.
As for the event, everybody had fun regardless of the outcome. The Rocks won in a sudden death overtime against Gitner Done, yet the game ended with both teams making amends and posing together for photos.