Author: Lindsey Micheletti,

North Minneapolis used to be all about hockey, with greats coming out of it such as Joe Dziedzic, who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and champion-level figure skater Rohene Ward. However, in recent years tight budgets and rising costs and availability of ice have limited hockey opportunities in this area.

To help give kids in the area a chance to continue their love to play hockey and be out on the ice, Pastor Dale Hulme, of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, and a local physician named Chris Williams created the “New Directions Youth Hockey and Figure Skating” program in 1985. The program supplied the kids with donated equipment and outdoor ice time at a reduced price. "We had nothing but sheer will and a bag of old skates” recalls Williams. This program offers an opportunity for children and youth to partake in the sports of hockey and figure skating at an equal level with other communities in the state. It has given a chance for these children to get involved in something other than the growing gang population and to feel a part of a team in a safe environment.

New Directions is also where inSports inspiration, Anthony Titus Jr., got the chance to play hockey. In dedication to Anthony, and in encouragement and appreciation of the program, inSports Foundation, Concordia College hockey, and Hamline University hockey are presenting New Directions Youth Hockey Appreciation Night. It will be held on Friday, January 31st at the Concordia vs. Hamline men’s hockey game at 7:05.

The kids of New Directions and their parents will be able to attend this game for free and receive an inSports Foundation t-shirt. The kids will also get a chance to meet the Concordia Cobbers hockey team in the locker room after the game and learn how to apply for the inSports Miracle Hockey Camp.

The inSports Foundation is ecstatic to meet the kids of New Directions and meet some future campers! We want to give a special thanks to Hamline for allowing this special event to happen.  We would love to see you at the game!

The location of the game is:

Oscar Johnson Arena
1039 De Courcy Cir, St Paul, MN 55108
Source: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/80074932.html

Author: Lindsey Micheletti, 

Through inSports Foundation, the Concordia College Men’s and Women’s hockey teams have recently came up with a creative way to give back to their community. Each team will be sponsoring a “Chuck-a-Puck” night at a home game to raise money for the Concordia Dance Marathon.

The Chuck-a-Puck events will allow fans to buy pucks and have the opportunity to toss them closest to the center ice dot in-between the 2nd and 3rd periods. Prizes will be awarded to the winners, in appreciation to supporting the Children’s Miracle Network. It will be $2 per puck, or $5 for 3 pucks.

The student- lead “Dance Marathon” is a nationwide movement in which over 150 campuses throughout the nation work to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network hospital in their community; Concordia Dance Marathon will be raising funds for the Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo. This fundraiser is a yearlong event and ends with a 12 hour even in March to celebrate the children and families who experienced the miracles from the fundraising. 100% of the funds raised go directly to these children and families in need. All For The Kids.


The dates of the games are as follows:

Men’s Game January 24, 2014 7:00 pm vs. Augsburg

Women’s Game January 31, 2014 7:00 pm vs. Hamline

@ Moorhead Sports Center

The teams will be wearing yellow laces to support the Children’s Miracle Network, We hope to see you they’re cheering on the teams and helping out the cause! There will also be Herbalife protein shakes being made from Island Fusion in addition to the chuck-a-puck station.  All proceeds will go to the Concordia Dance Marathon.


If you are unable to make it to the games and want to make a difference you can DONATE HERE:

For more information on the Children’s Miracle Network: CLICK HERE
Sanford Children’s Hospital is a part of the Children’s Miracle Network, more info HERE