USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Present Hockey 101 to Area Students

Published on February 21, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa - For the Dubuque Fighting Saints, winning hockey games, and a Clark Cup Championship as the team did last year, is only part of a larger goal. Although each player on the ice is focused on playing team-first hockey while improving individually each day, the goal on the horizon for each of the squad's twenty-three players is to play college hockey and earn a degree.

While the players pursue these goals with the Fighting Saints, they regularly take time to impart some wisdom and encouragement to Dubuque-area students through the team's Hockey 101 program, titled "Live Like a Saint". Fighting Saints players, along with a coach and mascot, visit local elementary schools to pass along their message of hard work, commitment to academics, and a bit of hockey knowledge as well.

Each half-hour Hockey 101 program allows the Fighting Saints to speak to large groups of elementary school students, who typically assemble in the school's gymnasium. The team has made around a half-dozen appearances at Dubuque-area schools this season, including Carver Elementary in Dubuque, Potosi Elementary School (who visited the team at the Mystique Community Ice Center), and Southwestern School in Hazel Green, WI.

Forward Kevin Morris knows what it is like to grow up idolizing hockey players. From the time that Morris was born through his elementary school years, his father, Mark, was the Head Coach at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. Morris describes himself as a "rinkrat" during those years, and notes that he knew from that young age that he wanted to play hockey at the collegiate level.

"Being able to see those little kids and watch them look up to you is pretty cool," Morris said of the experience at the Hockey 101 events with the Fighting Saints. "I remember being in their shoes, looking up to players who were doing the same for me in my elementary schools."

The program begins with the Fighting Saints broadcaster Patrick Murray giving the introductions, typically Associate Head Coach Joe Coombs, two or three players, and the Fighting Saints mascot Bernie the Saint Bernard, who normally receives the most enthusiastic ovation from students.

After the players and coach tell about their roles on the team and what aspects of education they enjoy the most, players talk about their goals of success on the ice and in the classroom, and how the two objectives are essentially intertwined.

After the players provide the students with their perspective, the coach speaks about what the team looks for in players. Specifically, Coombs often remarks, the team tries to identify players who are not only outstanding on the ice, but also outstanding people in the classroom and in the community.

Coombs, who is the father of three young children, often gives examples from his own house when he explains what it means to "Live Like a Saint" at home, school, and on a team. He sees the Hockey 101 sessions as an obligation that he is eager to fulfill.

"I think as coaches we are responsible for teaching young men how to be young men," Coombs said. "It's our message to our hockey team, and to the kids of today and tomorrow that it is about making decisions and being responsible and accountable for the decisions that you make in your life. We live by it every day here at the rink, and we have fun getting that message across to the kids."

After Coombs finishes delivering his message, the students get a chance to learn a bit more about hockey. Bernie, the mascot, demonstrates a sampling of the penalties of the game, usually with the assistance of the school's principal. The demonstration typically ends with Bernie's hockey stick being taken away after a slash to the shin that causes the principal to hop around the gymnasium in mock pain.

It is then explained that since there are so many reckless hockey players ("like Bernie") on the ice, wearing protective equipment is of critical importance. One of the smaller students is selected to try on the Fighting Saints full-sized hockey gear, to comic effect.

The Fighting Saints plan to visit more schools as the end of the season approaches. The next scheduled Hockey 101 is at Peosta Elementary School on Tuesday, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in two sessions. For more information on the Hockey 101 program, including how to bring the Fighting Saints to your school, call the team at (563) 583-6880.

The team will take to the ice for two games this weekend, hosting the Waterloo Black Hawks at 7:35 p.m. on Friday, and playing the Youngstown Phantoms in Dubuque at 7:05 the following evening. Tickets to the games are available over the phone at (563) 583-6880 and in person at the Mystique Community Ice Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on game night up until the start of the second period. Tickets are available 24 hours a day online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2012


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