NHS Ice Hockey Team Needs Support

To the Editor:

When we started this [ice hockey] program two years ago, we could only hope that it would be as successful as it has been. After playing one year on a club basis, last season was our first full year as a varsity program. The players worked hard all season and won their final regular season game to qualify for both the Southwest Conference Playoffs and State Tournament. The Newtown High School Ice Hockey team is currently engaged in off-ice conditioning in preparation for the tryouts and practices that will begin in late November. The coaching staff is anxiously waiting for the day when they can get on the ice with the players and begin directing this season’s effort. With the loss of a fair number of senior skaters from last year’s squad, the players have begun the hard work that will be required to meet or exceed last year’s result.

When we started this program two years ago, we had a commitment from the Board of Education that was to phase in the town’s financial support of the team. By this point in time a substantial portion of our expenses should be provided from municipal sources. We all remember the budget battle that took place in town this summer. There certainly was no new money earmarked for high school hockey in the resulting budget. The fact of the matter is that we receive absolutely no financial support from the Town of Newtown or the Board of Education or Newtown High School. Our program is entirely funded by the players, their families, our fundraising events, and generous support from local residents and businesses. We are in financial climate where a lot of people and businesses are forced to do more with less. We are also in a situation where our two biggest expenses, ice time and transportation, increase every year.

We would like to reach the point where the determining factor in whether or not a student plays varsity ice hockey in Newtown is determined by ability rather than cost. Any contribution that you can make will more us closer to this goal. Businesses can place a business card size ad in our yearbook for as little as $25. Ad materials need to be received by the end of November. Please send your contribution to: Friends of Newtown High School Ice Hockey, c/o Jim Giesen, 34 The Boulevard, Newtown, CT 06470

Our season begins in early December. All of the games are played on either Wednesdays or Saturdays, the majority of the games are played at the Danbury Ice Arena and the weekly schedule is published in The Bee. High school hockey is both fun and exciting to watch. All support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Charles Borchetta

10 Willow Brook Lane, Newtown                        November 11, 2003