Big Green's Learn to Skate Program is a Hit in Hanover
2/10/2010 9:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey, Athletics
It's Sunday morning at 9 a.m., the temperature is almost reaching double-digits, but there are many brave souls out on Occom Pond, most on skates for the first time.
The age group ranges from three to four years old all the way up to 50 years. Most skaters are new to the ice, but there are a select few that come to the pond to improve their ability and get a few new pointers from sophomore Erica Dobos (Bethel Park, Pa.) and many of her Big Green women's hockey teammates.
There are children shuffling around, grabbing onto small crates, with big smiles on their faces and the cold does not affect them at all. There are 20-somethings lacing up skates for either the first time or there are those who just say “it's been awhile.”
The Learn to Skate Program has been a hit in Hanover this winter. On the first Sunday, more than 60 people showed up, which presented a problem for the hockey team with only four to five players on the ice. Dobos split the crowd into smaller groups according to skill level and age. By the end of the two-hour session, everyone made progress. So the first day of the program was a hit, thanks to Dobos and her teammates.
The program began at the urging of Mike Silverman, who runs the Dartmouth Outing Club lodge at Occom Pond. Dobos was looking for a part-time job for the winter semester and found a job posted for the DOC, working at the outdoor equipment rental desk.
“I originally was just looking for a part time job for the winter semester, and found the DOC outdoors equipment rental as an option on Jobnet,” said Dobos. “Because of my schedule with hockey, I was unable to work any of the shifts he had available so instead Mike Silverman asked me to possibly teach skating lessons.”
She walked away with a job and the promise of teaching people how to skate and on that first day she was very surprised at the turnout.
“I was very excited about it,” said Dobos. “Figuring there would be around 10 people that would want to learn to skate. I was quite surprised when he informed me that 60-plus individuals wanted to try to skate.”
With the idea to start the program, Silverman and Dobos thought it would be a good idea to spread the word within the Dartmouth dressing room to get some help. The response came without really asking.
“Five other teammates helped me on the first day,” said Dobos.
She got help from senior Mariel Lacina (London, Ont.), sophomore Jenna Hobeika (Alpine, N.J.) and juniors Amanda Trunzo (Andover, Minn.) and Alyssa Boehm (Waterford, Conn.) on the first day. Freshmen Jessica Gagner (London, Ont.) and Lisa Berreman (Eagan, Minn.) and senior Sarah Kennedy (Jasper, Alta.) have also jumped in and provided support.
“People enjoy the fact that they are being instructed by the women's hockey team and they have a lot of respect for them and what they are doing,” said Silverman. “It's a great mentoring opportunity for both the parents and the players on the team.”
On that first day, most people started their morning by pushing chairs around, learning how to take that first step. Some catch on faster than others, but that doesn't deter first-timers from getting up after that first fall.
The first day ends, but the excitement of the possibility of 60 people showing up every Sunday still stays with the team. The next week 45 skaters showed up. Then the brutally cold temperatures crept into town and the numbers went down. But that doesn't stop the team from helping out.
The past two weeks the temperature has been as low as single-digits and then adding in the wind chill makes for a difficult morning. However, Dobos, Boehm and Kennedy were out there teaching a group of about 10. Some skaters have come back each week.
The program has also extends inside the lodge on most Sundays, following the two hours out on the ice.
Silverman, in addition to the skating program, also hosts a storytelling event inside the lodge after the children are done on the ice. One afternoon he was trying to find someone to read to the kids.
“I asked Erica if one of the players would like to read to the group,” said Silverman. “One volunteered and read to a group of 35 children. I can't tell you how great these players of been, in giving up their time.”
As the session winds down and the cold begins to set in, skaters can enjoy a seat by the campfire on the shore or some families set up plans for the rest of the day. Whether it's going upstairs to storytelling or heading over to the Dartmouth Skiway to get in an afternoon of skiing.
“It has been very successful in its first year,” said Silverman, “and I hope we are able to continue it in the years to come.”
Dobos and Silverman have started a great foundation for a program that will hopefully last longer than the balance of many first time skaters. It's only for one more week, so get your skates out of the garage or closet and come on down to Occom Pond this Sunday. (Matt Faulkner)
