By all accounts Greek Women’s Hockey Night was a success according to event coordinators, members of the Interfraternity Council Cabinet, and attendants. One of the event’s coordinators, Ryan Koehler ’11, said, “When I started setting up I only expected 15 percent of each house to show up and maybe 300–400 canned goods. I was amazed when over 500 people showed up and we collected over 1,200 canned goods,” exceeding expectations. All the canned goods collected will be donated to Joseph’s House and Shelter.
The IFC devised a challenge for attending houses. The goal was to see which house could collect the greatest number of canned goods per brother or sister. The “Can-ly Cup” (a replica of the Stanley Cup constructed from aluminum cans) would then be bestowed upon the winning house. After all the numbers were calculated, Delta Phi was named the victor with eight cans per brother.
Aside from a fun game to watch, hot chocolate was provided and different houses competed in tricycle races across the ice during period breaks. Victories in such races won two cases of Gatorade for the winning house. Additionally, on at least two occasions, event coordinators and personnel ran through the stands throwing free t-shirts. According to James Fagan ’11 of Delta Phi, “It was nice to see so many greeks come together. It would have been nice if there had been additional support within the RPI community from non-affiliated students,” but nonetheless it was a night to have some fun and watch a good game.
To top the Friday night of fundraising off, the women’s hockey team won their game against Clarkson, 2-1. Brian Keating ’10, president emeritus of the IFC, said, “It was great to see such a good turn-out for the women’s hockey team. It was a long time coming; they deserve it.” School spirit and pride was present at the Field House on Friday when the stands would spontaneously erupt in alternating shouts of, “Go Red” and “Go White” to cheer on the women.
The night was not without its miscalculations, such as a shortage of skates available for everyone who remained after the game for the free-skate time. However, the ice was still packed with skaters, and at the end of the night it was a successful charity event collecting a considerable donation for Joseph’s House and providing an opportunity to bring houses from across campus together for a night of school spirit and brotherhood and sisterhood. Koehler concluded by saying, “Congratulations to the girls’ hockey team and a big thanks to Head Coach John Burke and Field House Coordinator Norris Pearson for their time and patience. I’ll be looking forward to the next Greek Hockey Night.” The event was a great way to kick off Rush week for the RPI community.
