The club continues to give back to their neighbors and supporters through
programs both on and off campus. One of their successful off-campus
programs is the Learn to Skate sessions that are hosted twice a week at
the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs. FAU players take to the ice in these
sessions to help local kids learn how to skate, and build their knowledge of
the sport of hockey.
These players are also involved in FAU’s OwlThon, an annual 13-hour
dance marathon that benefits UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and
the patients and families that are treated there. It is the university’s largest
fundraising effort that raised more than $240,000 at last year’s event.
Breaking the Ice
Over the past few seasons, the FAU Owls have put much of their focus
into rebuilding themselves into a stronger, more productive and responsible
program.
“We’re still trying to get our feet under us. We’re not the club we were a
year and a half ago, we’re transitioning in a very good way. Our first focus
is putting a good team together, rebuilding relationships with the university,
with the league and the teams that we compete against,” Kaufman said.
This year, the FAU Owls played as an independent club in the American
Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), but have recently received some
exciting news.
In January, the Southeastern
College Hockey Conference
(SECHC) announced that FAU
and Lynn University would be
joining the divisions of their
highly-competitive league.
This merger gives the FAU
Owls the opportunity to face more out of state teams, while building their
strengths both as individuals and as a team.
Previously the SECHC was made up of eight college teams throughout the
Southern states hailing from the University of Arkansas, Auburn University,
University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Mississippi,
University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt
University.
With the new expansion, the conference is now proudly represented
by a total of 15 teams that are set to bring more exposure and build
competitiveness among collegiate ice hockey programs in the South.
In addition to South Florida’s FAU and Lynn University, the SECHC now
boasts teams from the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Clemson
University, Florida State University, Kennesaw State University, and Middle
Tennessee State University as well.
Kaufman and his team see this transition as a new opportunity to grow
their up and coming program into one that is well-known and a force to be
reckoned with on the ice.
“We are extremely excited
about the move. It will give us
better access to strong teams
from highly recognizable
schools. This will help attract
more potential players and
fans!” Kaufman said.
In his role as GM of the FAU Owls Ice Hockey Club, a big part of Kaufman’s
job is to connect and partner with members of the community to raise
awareness of and build support for their young team.
“My role amongst many other things is to fill seats and help the club fulfill
its mission. It’s a piece of the job I really like,” Kaufman said.
It is apparent that rallying support from their community and giving back
to the area’s children and families go hand in hand for the Owls. Through
their various community service efforts and team building that they have
accomplished this season, the team is not looking to slow down anytime
soon.
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