9.1

SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
Feb. 12, 2004

Women's Hockey hopes to join club league play next year

By Brian Mullally
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

After a long stretch with no games, the Norwich woman's ice hockey team is back in the swing of things with a number of upcoming games. The team only played one game the first semester and recently notched a pair of wins over Skidmore College.

"Some of the girls are frustrated," said Holly Manning, a senior communications major from Northfield, Vt. "It's almost like, what are we practicing for?"

"The girls were not as dedicated the first semester, but they have been looking forward to all the games second semester. They have really come back with a great attitude," said Terri Lussier, assistant coach of the woman's team.

As the year goes on, the team will be very busy with games almost every weekend, until the year is over. They have weekend trips to Maine, Boston University, Skidmore, and Amherst.

Becoming a varsity sport is the goal of the woman's ice hockey team; so far, the right steps are being taken to achieve that goal.

"Next year, we're looking to join a club league, which has 20 other teams. It means we will have a lot more games against a lot better teams. We are hoping that the school realizes that the woman's team would be better off as a varsity team." Lussier added, "It would be good for the school with the facilities we have."

Captains of the team have set up meetings with President Schneider and Athletic Director Tony Mariano within the next month in regards to the team acquiring varsity status. To get the ball rolling, funding will be the biggest issue addressed.

"We just want to play better teams and have the option to play more games than we do now," said Chelsea Boyce, a sophomore psychology major from Northfield, VT.

The men's hockey team receives a lot more support from the school and the overall community, with such amenities as their own locker room and prime ice time, among other things.

"The difference is that the guy's team has the Blue Line Club, and that's where their big funding comes from," Manning said.

"We don't feel we should have equal to what the guy's team has," Lussier said. "They have earned their extra benefits by winning National championships. We just want to have the minimum facilities."

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.