The Plattsburgh State Athletics Department philosophy consists of three parts: athletic excellence, academic achievement and community service. In addition to their success on the ice, Cardinal Hockey embraces this three-pronged approach and is very active in the community. The athletics department recognizes the outstanding support from the community and attempts to return the attention in positive ways.
The men’s hockey team volunteers with many organizations in the North Country including the, North Country Down Syndrome Association (NCDSA), Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, and Plattsburgh Youth Hockey, they also speak to and read to elementary students at several area schools. In addition, the Cardinals are easily accessible for postgame autographs and conduct numerous "Skate with the Cards" events during the season
Two of Cardinal Hockey's favorite organizations are the NCDSA and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Over the last six years, the Cardinals have helped raise much more than money; they added plenty of AWARENESS and EXPERIENCE for the families of NCDSA. They were a partner with NCDSA in organizing keynote speaker Karen Gaffney’s first visit to Plattsburgh State in October 2009. At Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall, she presented to the students, faculty and public with a fantastic motivational speech along with presiding over the annual Buddy Walk. Karen is returning this year for a new challenge and the hockey team is once again involved. On Saturday, Sept. 18, Karen swim across Lake Champlain a total of 9 miles from the shores of Vermont to Plattsburgh, followed by the Buddy Walk on Sunday.
Click on the link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwcfnQjwVR0, to hear an interview conducted by WIRY’s Bob Pooler between Plattsburgh men’s hockey coach Bob Emery and NCDSA's Cindy Rotz about Gaffney, prior to her original visit to Plattsburgh. The audio is available on the official YouTube page for Cardinal Athletics, http://www.youtube.com/CardinalsSportsInfo.
The Cardinals will also be involved in the 2nd annual Spin-A-Thon on Saturday, Sept. 4, in order to raise money for the NCDSA. Last year, each member of the team was responsible for raising $100 for the seven hours of spinning. The players went above and beyond the call of duty and raised $10,000 for the cause. An average of $333 per person--well over their established goal! This year's team has increased the goal to $150 per player.
Since teaming up with NCDSA, the Cardinals have been blessed with Matty Thomson, a member of the NCDSA. Matty has joined the team as an assistant equipment manager. Matty is involved with all team practices and functions and even travels on the bus to some away games.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has become an exciting group to work with for the Cardinals. Since 2004, the Cardinals have sponsored a fund-raising dinner for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeastern New York in which the players waited tables, performed skits and sang songs to earn “tips” for the organization. From these “tips” the Cardinals and their proud fans have donated over $21,000 and a record $8,140 in 2010. The Cardinal Hockey Dinner has become one of the North Country's most popular events held annually during the holidays, culminating with a record 300-plus guests this past January.
In May 2009, Eric Greene and Ward Smith were honored by the National Down Syndrome Society with recognition awards for their positive roles in advocating and promoting awareness of Down syndrome to the Plattsburgh area. Then at the 2010 NCAA Convention, Plattsburgh Athletics earned the Jostens Community Service Honorable Mention Award from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators as a result of the men's hockey program's on-going partnership with the NCDSA.
