The summer brought numerous changes within the Otterbein University athletic department. One of the biggest changes came when the department announced the addition of a brand new club ice hockey team.
“Last year, with about two or three weeks left of school, we were joking around about Otterbein having a hockey team,” Morrow said. “but then we started getting serious about it. So we went through the process of talking to Dean Gatti and getting it approved and we got it approved.”
“One day it went from kind of playing around to talking to the athletic department and talking to student services and Dean Gatti.” McHugh said. “The process just went along so quickly.”
With approval to move on with the team, they sought out admission counselor Shawn Gilbert and adult and transfer admission director Mark Moffitt to be advisers for the team. Once Gilbert and Moffitt were on board board and all the necessary paperwork was turned in, ice hockey was made an official club team and the process of planning the season could begin.
When the word spread about the new Otterbein ice hockey team, not only did prospective players start coming out of the woodwork, but so were current athletes offering different skill sets.
“Everyday we found more and more people that either, used to play hockey or that currently still play hockey in adult leagues around here.” McHugh said. “Right now, we have about 10 or 15 Otterbein students interested in playing. We also have a lot of people that are interested in operations, taking stats, or designing apparel and things like that.”
There are two prospective players meetings scheduled on Sept. 4 and 5, both being in Towers Hall room 115.
The season will begin with a tryout on Sept. 10. From there, two practices will be held each week before the season opener on Oct. 3 at Xavier University.
“Our first game is Oct. 3 down at Xavier and then our season will run until the middle of February with a tournament at Wooster College to end the regular season.” Morrow said. “Through the season we’ll play teams like Denison University, Xavier and Wooster, among others.”
The first home game will be Oct. 11 against Wittenberg University at 7:30 p.m. This game, along with all home games, will be held at the Chiller North in Lewis Center, Ohio.
In honor of Otterbein’s first home hockey game, the Chiller North is offering an after-game free skate with free skate rentals.
Those involved with the team right now, especially Morrow and McHugh, are happy to see the team’s progress and are excited for the new season.
“It’s a lot of fun,” McHugh said. “each and every day we’re making progress.”
Like Otterbein ice hockey on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @otterbeinhockey. They also have a website with schedules and other information at www.otterbeinhockey.com.
