NEW DIRECTIONS YOUTH APPRECIATION NIGHT

Concordia Cobbers vs Hamline Pipers, January 31st 2014

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

inSports Tee Shirts given to the New Directions players