By Lauren Meri
Did you know that the University of South Florida has an ice hockey team?
Not only does USF have a hockey team, but these Bulls have started the season on a high. They won the season opener Sept. 22 against the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles 10-1.
The next game is against the University of Miami Hurricanes on Friday at the Pines Ice Arena, 12425 Taft St. in Pembroke Pines.
The USF Ice Bulls are a part of a club league that was brought to USF in 1987 by two students whose passion for hockey inspired them to create a team.
After an extensive two-year process, the Southern Collegiate Hockey Association granted the Ice Bulls a one-year probationary period to play the 1989-1990 season.
This year, the team is led by captain and club president Kenny Weightman, a junior. Weightman has been playing hockey for 16 years.
Sophomore Scot Nelson grew up playing AAA youth hockey and high school hockey. In his senior year of high school, he played for the Boston Junior Bruins.
“Being an Ice Bull is an honor. 50 people are trying to make a 20-man roster, so it’s very competitive and I’m very proud to be a member of this team,” sophomore Scot Nelson said. “I got my first skates before I could even walk. Growing up in Massachusetts, hockey is a huge part of everyone’s life.”
Some of Nelson’s teammates are just as high on hockey as he is.
“It’s been amazing being part of such a great team and culture. We are all pretty close and enjoy hanging out and also playing with each other,” sophomore Mike Alfaro said. Alfaro started playing hockey in Michigan when he was 5.
The fact that hockey is a club sport hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm. Part of that comes from having a deep roster and a team that’s ready to compete, said senior Ethan Corrow.
“It’s honestly cool being able to represent the school. Even though we aren’t a part of athletics, it’s nice being able to compete with the USF logo on my chest,” Corrow said. “I’ve played for a lot of teams throughout my life and playing for a huge university is humbling.”
The team plays at the Florida Hospital Center Ice skating rink in Wesley Chapel. The Ice Bulls’ main rivals are the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles and the University of Tampa Spartans.
The best part? The games are free. The season schedule can be found at http://icebulls.pointstreaksites.com/view/icebulls/ .
Header photo courtesy of Raw Charge
