They spent a month sporting questionable mustaches. They will be playing for charity on Friday, December 6. They spent the morning after Pumpkin Fest cleaning up the city. What do these seemingly random activities have in common?
They all make up pieces of a positive image the men’s hockey team has been working on for years.
The mustaches were part of the “No Shave November” movement to raise money for prostate cancer. The club’s game on the 6th, dubbed the Granite State Cup, doubles as a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which works with children diagnosed with cancer. Waking up at 8 a.m. the day after Pumpkin Fest to help clean up around town?
That one speaks for itself.
File Photo / Haley Erdbrink: The men’s hockey team makes it a point to develop a positive relationship with the Keene community. The players said they hope people outside of KSC support their games.
“Everyone does it in good spirit,” sophomore wing, Andrew Pierce, said. “It all puts our team in a good light, we want to be looked upon as being more than just a bunch of hockey players.”
It’s safe to say the people familiar with the teams’ fundraising efforts see them as more than just athletes.
Although none of them would say it, the players are making sacrifices for these causes. Beyond just wearing silly mustaches and losing a few needed hours of sleep, as a club they are constantly in search of funds for their team. The money they raise for charities could be helping them travel to an extra tournament or buying them new equipment. Instead it is donated, and everyone seemed just fine with that.
“I think it’s a lot of fun. It creates a positive outlook on the team and we’re helping out a good cause,” junior Mike Sarafin said. “We raised a good amount of money for prostate cancer.”
That positive outlook may also help the team as they go through the process of applying to get National Collegiate Athletic Association status. The club has never been eligible before, but with a new ice rink being built by the city (and scheduled to be completed for next season), their chances at getting into the NCAA have risen considerably.
It would be wrong to think they’re only being charitable to lobby with the NCAA, however.
The team has been fundraising long before they thought they had a shot at joining the NCAA.
“We really care about these causes,” Pierce said. “They affect people around the world.”
There are other benefits to their efforts. Community members who recognize the players’ hard work might come out to support them more often. It’s certainly more productive to watch a game if you’re doing it to support a cause. Sophomore center, Sam MacNicoll, also said the fundraising brings the team together.
“We’re closer than ever this year,” MacNicoll said, “doing all these things together builds camaraderie.”
MacNicoll also admitted the team’s facial hair might have needed some work this year.
“We don’t really have the best mustaches, let’s face it,” MacNicoll said. “But we do it for people who need the money.”
Looking ridiculous for a month in the name of charity?
That’s an plan other KSC sports teams might do well to follow.
Zach Winn can be contacted at zwinn@keene-equinox.com