Fredonia’s Pink the Rink donations eclipse $100,000

The Fredonia State men’s hockey team annual fundraiser, Pink the Rink, toppled the $100,000 mark in grand style following Saturday’s home 4-2 victory over Potsdam with the presentation of player jerseys that listed the names of every person, couple or group who has ever supported the fundraiser on commemorative jerseys worn by the players.

Donors purchased these player jerseys so the name of someone who had battled cancer could be prominently displayed on the nameplate – a Pink the Rink tradition – just above all the individual donor names. An immense number of names – 420 – filled the front and back of every jersey. The sale of 33 shirts raised $8,200 to propel Fredonia’s Pink the Rink donations to the American Cancer Society to over $107,000.

Each donor received their jersey from the player who wore it during a post-game on-ice ceremony.

“It was a great night. It’s such a visible program for the campus and the community, and the support for it has been fantastic,” said Head Coach Jeff Meredith. “And they [players] like it, too,” he added. “Who doesn’t like playing with a special jersey in front of a big crowd!”

Pink the Rink returned after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the team coming from behind and get a win, “that’s just icing on the cake,” added Meredith, now in his 35th year of leading the program. Having jersey presentations with all the names listed made it a special night, he said.

For eclipsing the $100,000 mark, the American Cancer Society presented a lifetime achievement trophy to the Fredonia men’s hockey team.