Utica College Pioneers Continue Giving Spirit
Jan 5, 2017The Utica Memorial Auditorium is fortunate to have several key tenants who help make the building a hub for the local community. The Utica Comets of the American Hockey League, Utica College Men’s and Women’s Division III hockey teams, as well as the Utica Jr. Comets youth hockey program, all call the AUD home. Since they began play in 2013, the Comets have been avid supporters of the Utica Jr. Comets youth hockey organization. Throughout the hockey season, the two organizations join together for different events. Most recently, the Comets and Jr. Comets took advantage of the holiday break from school and held a holiday skate for all Jr. Comet players to skate with the Comets.
On Wednesday, The Utica College Pioneers continued to uphold their long standing relationship with the Utica Jr. Comets. With Utica College currently on winter break, the men’s team wanted to take advantage of the extra time they have before classes resume to give back to the Jr. Comets. Gary Heenan and the team decided that everyone on the Pioneer Men’s Hockey team would join the Utica Jr. Comets Mite Blue and White teams for practice.
“It’s important to give back,” said Kevin Kirisits, Captain of the Men’s team. “These kids enjoy watching us play, so it only makes sense to help them develop their hockey skills.”
It was an enjoyable event for all, as the Mite players spent the whole practice with smiles on their faces, learning from some of their biggest mentors in the community.