Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse was the site of a fun event for the Lake Forest College Community and local supporters of the College and the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA). Approximately 400 people were in attendance and nearly $1,800 was raised for the organization.
The purpose of the event was to bring campus and community exposure to GLASA and showcase its sled hockey program. It was a joint venture between the organization and Lake Forest's Athletic Department. The College's Gates Center for Leadership and Personal Growth, Athletic Council, and Students for Non-Alcoholic Programming (SNAP) served as co-sponsors of the event.
The competition on the ice consisted of two 15-minute periods of 8-on-8 sled hockey played by members of the GLASA Falcons and two 10-minute periods of 16-on-16 sled hockey played by teams made up of the Falcons and various members of the College community. A puck toss competition was held and several great raffle prizes (donors listed below) were awarded between the games. An exciting Boomer's Ice Race (mascot race on skates) concluded the evening's activities. Speakers at the event included Lake Forest College Athletic Director Jackie Slaats, former Forester men's hockey coach and current coach of the GLASA Falcons Tony Fritz, Lauren Levinson (current Lake Forest sophomore and president/founder of SNAP), GLASA Executive Director Cindy Housner, and parent and supporter of GLASA Sled Hockey Doug Kasamis.
The sled hockey was fun and rewarding for everyone on the ice, not just the Falcons. "I had an amazing time playing sled hockey with the GLASA athletes, commented Lake Forest Residence Director Colin MacFarlane. "I assumed it would be harder than it looked, but after getting in the sled and trying to play I realized just how much strength and skill this sport requires. This event brought our community together in a really positive and unique way and the energy in the ice rink was phenomenal."
Several Forester athletes from various sports also took part in the action. "As a student-athlete at the College, it was a great experience and privilege to work with the GLASA hockey players who have the same passion for the game as I do," stated women's hockey player Jessica Dare.
"On behalf of Great Lakes Adaptive Sports I would like to thank everyone for a very successful 'The Sleds Are Coming'" stated GLASA Executive Director Cindy Housner. "The Lake Forest staff and students were awesome and so helpful and engaged. Lake Forest College, GLASA Women’s Auxiliary and staff, volunteers, interns, Falcons, coaches, parents and, of course, the Falcon/GLASA sled hockey players worked so well together to conduct a great community event for all involved. I know GLASA’s players and families were thrilled to play in front of such a large group and also scrimmage the college students. We hope this is just the first of many collaborative events with Lake Forest College."
"We're very happy with the outcome of the evening, especially given it was the inaugural event," commented Slaats. "We had a lot of fun (as you'll see from the photos below) and are already looking forward to the Falcons and their sleds coming to campus again in 2012."
Raffle Prize Donors | |||
ARAMARK Bluffington's Burger King Chicago Blackhawks Chief's Pub |
Deer Path Inn Domino's Pizza Forester Athletic Department Francesca's GLASA |
Jewel Kiddles Michael's Barbershop Puckmasters South Gate Cafe |
Starbucks Subway Synergy Fitness The Fresh Market The Grille on Laurel |
Photos by Scott Sanford | |