Blue Line Club helps raise money for NU hockey

By Anthony Lanza
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

When the cost of hockey equipment doubles, but there is no increase in the sport's budget, something has to be done to compensate. And a golf tournament may just be the answer.

On July 22, 2002, the 3rd annual Allen Doyle Norwich Hockey Classic, a golf tournament, was held at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, Vt.

The Norwich Hockey Blue Line Club hosted the event in an effort to raise money for the hockey team, according to the director of athletics at Norwich University.

The Blue Line Club (BLC) is one of the few clubs that try to raise money for different sports on campus.

"These clubs can do fundraising events or any kind of events to try and get money for the organization," said Tony Mariano, director of athletics at Norwich University. "All the money that gets raised belongs to the university and is used towards things that we feel are necessary for the particular programs."

The money raised by the club goes toward meals for the team and gas money for the buses, according to Dave Maxwell, former president of the BLC

"Allen Doyle really helped to get the event rolling," said Mike McShane, head coach for the men's hockey team at Norwich.

"He likes coming back to spend time with his friends during the tournament."

About 150 people attended the event, and all had to pay a cover charge to participate in the tournament.

"It was sold out; we had a big waiting list of people," said McShane.

Team members are not allowed to enter in the event; however, seniors of the recently graduated class are welcome to attend, said Mariano.

Many sponsors donated money for the tournament, including major businesses such as Chevrolet and Sodexho.

"The sponsors are usually former players of Norwich's men's hockey team that are in charge of the sponsoring companies, or they are former classmates of Allen Doyle," said Jerry Hatch, president of the BLC.

Once the fundraising tournament came to an end, all of the competitors sat down for dinner and an award ceremony.

"It was a time where everyone could relax and unwind after the golf tournament and have a few laughs," said Mariano. "I think this tournament is a great thing because of the fact that it helps benefit Norwich and the student athletes involved; it's a win-win situation for the hockey team."

"[It's] a great way for fans of the hockey team to come out and support the organization," said McShane. "It's basically a get-together."

The event raised approximately $20,000, which will be put toward the needs of the team.

Next year the Blue Line Club will be hosting this event again.

"We have to schedule the hockey golf classic around Doyle's golfing tours so we can be sure that he attends," said Mariano.

"Allen Doyle is a big draw-in for this golfing event, and he has told us that he will be involved with the tournament again," said Hatch.

Back to Guidon index