Hockey in Middletown: Welcome
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Welcome to Hockey in Middletown's website as we celebrate our 10th year of Success!!!!
"WHAT’S THE STORY?"
In the aftermath of our local NHL teams’ Stanley Cups, the popularity of MYAA and Parks and Recreation roller hockey and the growing trend of “travel ice hockey”, two sets of parents (one from North and one from South) were relaxing with one another after a hot day at the beach during the summer of ’99.
They could not understand why the great town of Middletown, with a history of successful high school teams in many sports, did not have hockey teams. The alarm went off and the mission was put into motion. On the evening of 9/27/09, approximately 30 parents gathered at the old Library on New Monmouth Rd. There, the name of our organization, Hockey in Middletown (“HIM”) was born and the lst Board was anointed.
In the ensuing months, research committees were formed and at the 10/99 and 11/99 monthly meetings, reports were given. All were condensed into written and oral presentations to the Board of Education in November and December, 1999. During that holiday season, we met at Villa Pizza (Shop-Rite) and voted to accept the Board of Ed’s conditions. Our deal was simple: We will fundraise for two teams and the District’s Athletic Department will run the teams. On Ground Hog Day of 2000, the Board of Ed voted in favor of adding inter-scholastic ice hockey for the 2000-2001 season.
Our work had only begun. For the next 9 months of our infancy, we held various fund-raising events – a golf outing, roller hockey tournament, canning at local businesses, skills clinic and a dinner dance. Many patrons were solicited and responded positively with donations. The result, which was never in serious doubt, was that we raised the necessary funds.
The hockey games indeed began and continue. Both North and South saw early and sustained successes. The pinnacle for North was its 2004 State playoff semi-final appearance at the South Mountain Arena. For South, it was at a State Playoff semi-final appearance in 2005 at the Meadowlands. And, of course, everyone is still talking about the Slum Dog Millionaires of South, which did not qualify for the 2009 State playoffs, yet miraculously won the Shore Conference’s Handchen Cup.
Everyone still talks about HIM. Proudly we have inspired other Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean County parent groups, whom have formed their own organizations and, like us, convinced their own school districts to add ice hockey as an inter-scholastic sport. Most proudly, we have seen our boys (and girls) represent their schools with much dignity and class.
HIM profoundly thanks all who contributed their time, energy and resources. Without you, it would not have been possible. With you, the dream became a reality.
