Hockey has been a huge part of my life, but after choosing to go to school in New Orleans, I figured my career on the ice was over forever. It was, until about this time last year a friend told me to check out the daily spam digest.
I was overjoyed to read about ice hockey at Loyola. However, I had many questions and doubts. Where would we practice? How many people actually play hockey at our school? How will I pay for this? Ice hockey club president Fred Dewey was able to answer my questions.
We drove to Leo’s Ice Land in Baton Rouge, La., every week to practice.
The ice costs were $240 per hour, and until we received something from Student Government Association, we paid everything out of our own pockets. For the first couple practices we had eight to 10 skaters and only one goalie. $35 a week was a small price to pay to get the feel of ice beneath my feet and the puck on my stick.
Games began in February, but I was unable to make them as I was studying abroad in Spain. I was very disappointed that I would miss the first games, but I had the best time of my life while I was abroad.
While I was studying in Madrid, I kept in touch with the players back home who updated me on the results of our games. Even though the team lost several disappointing games to Louisiana State University and Tulane University, the camaraderie and dedication amongst the players was unsurpassed.
Despite the hour and a half travel time to practices and games everyone still showed up motivated and ready to play.
This year is very bright as we have added several new players to our roster. We are also registered as a Division III ice hockey team in the American Collegiate Hockey League. We will be in the same division as Tulane and LSU.
We begin practicing in early October and already have games scheduled with Tulane, LSU and Mississippi State during the year. Also this year, we have been invited to participate in the Loyola Cup, a tournament against Loyola Chicago University, Loyola Marymount University and hopefully Loyola Maryland.
Due to the dedication of our current players, along with our excellent turnout in recruiting this year, I believe that hockey can work at Loyola.
Not only can it work, but I also feel that we have a good shot at contending with our fellow southern hockey rivals and bringing some fierce competition up north to our fellow Jesuit rivals.
With our skilled players and the support of the SGA and student body, we hope to make hockey a lasting tradition at Loyola. So I ask for your support by coming out and cheering for us in our first home tournament of the year against Tulane and LSU, November 21-23.
Brian Balch is an international business senior and can be reached at [email protected].
