Welcome new students!

Hofstra prepares for it's first season of Division I play

ECRHA June 21st, 2007 at 3:44PM September 11th, 2007 9:38PM

Are you a current Hofstra student, incoming freshman, or transfer student who loves the game of hockey? Are you looking for a way to get involved in your first year at Hofstra University? Are you looking to have fun, make new friends, and travel across the country while playing the sport you love at a higher level? You can find all of this and more as a member of the Hofstra University Roller Hockey club.

Since its creation in 2002, Hofstraâ??s roller hockey program has developed into on the premiere programs in the country. The team has won two regional championships and has gone to three consecutive national championship tournaments, traveling to places such as Colorado, North Carolina and most recently, St. Louis, Missouri as a member of the, ECRHA (Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association), a charter member of the NCRHA (National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association).

The Hofstra program features 3 teams competing at various levels. The A team is the programâ??s top team and for the first time, will be participating in Division I starting this season. For the 5^th consecutive year, the organization will feature a team in the ECRHAâ??s B division. The A and B teams will be traveling across the northeast, each playing over 20 games against a variety of colleges and universities. In addition, for the third consecutive year, the club will have a third team playing as a member of the ECRHA, this year in the Developmental Division, playing both new schools and second teams from current ECRHA members on a modified schedule, as well as teams from around Long Island and the surrounding area.

This past season, the program had another great year as the A team qualified for the national championship tournament after a top 4 finish at the ECRHA Championships. At nationals, the team posted a victory over Washington- St. Louis before coming up short against long time rival Neumann College in the Sweet 16. The team had another winning regular season as well, posting an 11-5 record while finishing second in their league. Three players from the team went to the ECRHA All-Star Game, where first year forward Mike Scardigno scored the game-winning goal late in the third period. Goalie Rob Michelsen was also selected as an alternate for the ECRHA team that will compete at the NARCh summer championships. The two B teams from last season played had very good seasons as well, despite their less than perfect records. The two teams combined to produce 3 ECHRA All-Stars and had very exciting seasons.

Towards the end of the year, for the second time, Hofstra Roller Hockey was featured in segments on the CW 11 Morning Show with Larry Hoff. Members of all three teams were able to showcase their skills to an audience from all over the New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey area on live TV.

The main facility for the Hofstra Roller Hockey program is SkateSafe America, located in Old Bethpage, NY, about a 15 minute drive from Hofstra. SkateSafe features two full size rinks with seamless glass, Sport Court flooring, a 60â?? x 40â?? practice rink, pro shop, indoor turf training facility, concessions, locker rooms and bleacher seating. Weekly practices are held there, utilizing both rinks to allow for greater flexibility with practices. Practices are held later in the evening, ensuring that the players are able to work practice in around their class schedule. SkateSafe also plays host to ECRHA weekends during the season. ECRHA weekends are overnight trips made by the team to locations throughout the northeast and along the eastern seaboard. While on a trip (which is generally a Friday-Sunday excursion), the team will play 3-4 games against teams from as far as Maine, Ohio, and Virginia, with the occasional team from California or St Louis popping up on the schedule. Trips to Philadelphia, Hartford, Pittsburgh and Boston suburbs, New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida are all on the docket for next season.

All players are outfit in custom Hofstra uniforms made by Ace Jerseys. All jerseys and pants are sublimated, allowing for a unique design that is simple, but modern, giving Hofstra one of the freshest looks in all of college roller hockey. Players are asked to provide a black helmet (with cage), creating a total team look on the rink. Players are also provided with custom sublimated practice jerseys, creating one of the most professional appearances you will find on a college roller hockey rink.

Try-outs begin in early September, so if you are interested in playing for one of the premier collegiate hockey programs in the country, act now! If you have any questions about anything mentioned above, or something that maybe wasnâ??t mentioned, feel free to contact the team at [email protected]. Make sure you find us during Kick-Off week upon your arrival to campus in the fall semester. Also, be sure to join our Facebook group as well, http://hofstra.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2201372931. Many updates about the upcoming season will be sent only to members of this group.

We look forward to seeing you in the fall, and can meet with you at New Student Orientation as well. Just email us to set up an appointment to meet.

Keep on working hard over the summer, because as anyone who has ever put on a Hofstra jersey before can attest to, itâ??s not easy, but itâ??s worth it.