Hawks Skate On

Players Face-off with Student Senate

Despite recent attempts by the State University of New York College at New Paltz Student Association to cut their budget, the New Paltz Ice Hawks skate on.

“We received a 50 percent budget cut from last season,” said junior forward Mike Carney. “Instead of receiving 30,000 dollars, we only received 15,000 dollars.”

The hockey team, unlike most athletic teams at SUNY New Paltz is not an official NCAA Varsity team. Instead of playing at the traditional Division III level like other teams on campus, the New Paltz ice hockey team plays in a Division III club league.

“We have been a club for the past 21 years,” said sophomore Chris Ferry.” We didn’t understand the overnight change; it really came out of nowhere.”

As a result of being a club, the team is not funded by the sports department and has to apply to the Student Association for funding.

"Since not many people know about the team," said a Student Association Representative, "it is easy for the Senate to cut their budget.”

“Budget request forms are given out every spring,” said Linda Lendvay of the Student Associations. “In this form students are expected to detail what the money requested is for and the expected expenses.”

According to Lendvay, the budget request is reviewed by the Budget and Finance Committee and is submitted to the Senate, and finally is passed on to the college president. This is a three week process.

“Sometimes an organization receives a large amount of money and is red flagged,” said Lendvay. “The hockey team struggled last year and since they play their home games in Poughkeepsie, and there is no transportation for students, the team doesn’t receive much publicity. Since not many people know about the team, it is easy for the Senate to cut their budget.”

According to Carney, the team was able to appear in front of the Student Senate to plead their case for a budget reinstatement.

“We went in front of the student senate and made a presentation stating our reasons for needing the $30,000 to survive,” said Carney. “We broke down our expenses, and showed that the $15,000 given to us had already been spent, and there were still expenses to be paid, like the transportation and referee fees.

The hockey team also received support from students attending the presentation the team made in front of the Student Senate.

“The turn out for the hockey team was more then expected,” said junior Brian Giaquinto. “People came down to show their support, and I feel the Senate saw the team does have a good fan base.”

Ferry said the budget did get reinstated to 30,000 dollars, which was all they were asking for to cover expenses.

The recent allegation that the budget may be cut hasn’t affected the team progress from last year.

“This season we have a full squad with 20 players,” said defenseman Scott Smith. “Last season we had only 12 guys, and over the summer we worked hard on recruiting freshman and transfers to come and join our program. We got a total of 12 new players.”

Smith said the team has three lines, three sets of defense, two goalies and three extra players that get rotated into the game. Last year the hockey team had two lines and one goalie.

A hockey lineup consists of primarily three to four lines of three forwards, two defenders, and a goalie.

“We had one upperclassman, seven freshmen, two transfers, and one sophomore join the team,” said Ferry. “With a full squad we should be a team to beat.”

Coming off a season where the team was short on players, they are optimistic about the new additions.

“Every new addition to the team should be an impact,” said Carney. “Having more people to put on the ice means that comes the third period we won’t be completely tired out like last season. However the greatest impact may come from our transfer goalie Aron Eldridge.”

According to Carney, the team has played two games so far this season and while suffering two loses, the games we close to the end. In these games, Elridge compiled 60 saves and is giving the team a presence they have been lacking from their goaltender over the last few years.

“I feel that our team has a strong returning core and the new additions just make our team better,” said Smith.
The team has two returning allstars in Smith and Ryan Burke, as well as veteran leadership from players such as Ferry and Carney.

“This team hasn’t made it into the playoffs since my freshman year,” said Smith. “I hope that this may be the year we make it back into the hunt again.”