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Duluth
Heritage Sports Center Foundation (DHSCF) Chair Patrick Francisco
announced today that the DHSCF was awarded $2,500 from the
College/Pro Summer Hockey Classic, held in Sill Arena on July 13. The
gift, which represented the full proceeds from the game, after direct
expenses, was presented by Butch Williams, owner and General Manager
of the Duluth Clydesdales junior hockey team, who promoted the game. Francisco
said that the donation would be invested in the Foundation's Ray
Peterson Fund and used for the benefit of financially challenged
youth to help them with the opportunity to keep active through the
participation in sports. "We consider this particular donation to
be significant because it comes from the energies of Duluth athletes
who took the time from their busy personal lives to give back to the
programs which spawned them." stated Francisco. "The Foundation
is honored to be the steward of these funds." Butch
Williams said that "giving back" was the primary motive for his
Duluth Clydesdales promoting the event. "The area has embraced the
Clydesdales as a legitimate member of our local hockey community and
we wanted to do something to show our appreciation. We were thrilled
to be joined by some local sponsors like Duluth Tire, Michaud
Distributing, Custom Cab and Clyde Iron Restaurant. They really
helped to make this successful". Williams
said he hopes to make this an annual event. "I skate with a lot of
these players during the summer and they all think it's a great
idea. We're already planning for next year." An
estimated crowd of 300 sought relief from the heat and were
thoroughly entertained by 34 male & female former collegians,
former Olympians, past & present professionals and future stars,
as they competed for bragging rights. Although they played for the
fun of it, these athletes put on a great demonstration of their
hockey skills, including their ability to score. The game ended with
a 10-9 victory for the Blues over the Whites. Jerry
DeMeo, president/CEO of the Duluth Heritage Sports Center said "Both
during and after the game, I had a chance to visit with a number of
the fans. The unanimous feeling was that it was great to see local
athletes who care about their home town, giving of their time and
talents to support a great cause. The only 'losers" were those
who enjoy the sport of ice hockey and weren't there to watch some
of the greatest players to ever come through our Duluth youth
programs display their talents".
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Photo
included: Clydesdales owner & general manager, Butch Williams
(far right), presented the check with the assistance of local Boys & Girls Club members.
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