The History Project:
A brief overview The SUMH History Project began in Jan 2019 with the idea of pulling together an almanac of the programs team rosters, season schedules, game scores and statistics related to player and team performance for the purpose of answering those questions of “How does this team/player compare to that one” or “What if any is the legacy of the team?” The project was initiated by Peter Hayward, parent of a then current SUMH player, as his gift to the team with an end point of end of school that year. Initial allies and supporters of the project were Connor Treacy, SUMH Head coach (2018-2020) and Andrew Wolinski, the assistant head coach. Coach Treacy supported the idea of the History Project and actively participated in the first two Alumni Awards Weekends (2019 $2020). “Woli” as everyone concerned with the team called Wolinski, showed his support by turning over to Hayward copies of all the game sheets going back to 2012, from which player and game stats could be pulled.
The SUMH History Project is comprised of the following components:
A Data Base comprised of a multitude of topical files – pulled from team records; newspaper articles (SU, opponent teams and public papers); interviews (with former players, coaches, staff and parents); photos (donated from alumni and scrubbed from sources) and the FOSH online Facebook page.
Intention has always been to publish this information into an updatable, print version of the almanac. Preliminary printed copies of some of the team’s history have been exhibited at the annual award weekends -alphabetical and chronical name lists; team rosters; and SU vs opponents records.
Online Information Sources started with the team’s website including SUMH alumni awards and profiles of those recipients, and postings to Friends of Syracuse Hockey (FoSH) the alumni Facebook page. The development of the SUMH History Project website serves as an online “almanac” and reference for information concerning the history of the program and its alumni. The website,created by Kelly Park, SU ‘2001 and HOF ‘2024, offers the benefit of serving as an updatable electronic database, allowing alumni to enter their own data and contribute stories, pictures and archival items. This platform and format provide the SUMH program with the maximum exposure to the widest audience including former alumni, potential student-players and fans input.
Archival Information is available in two methods. The first involves Archival Display Cases purchased for the team, one to display the SUMH team and player trophies and awards. Another to serve as a revolving exhibit of some aspect of the program’s history, such as equipment, specific teams, individual and group contributions. This is done through displaying of donated equipment and photographs along with curated stories administered by the team historian.
The second archival system involves the Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) housed in the Bird Library. The SCTC serves as the institution’s depository of administrative, cultural and social history. Some SUMH donations have been accepted and were made primarily with the intention of expanding the men’s hockey program place in the history of Syracuse University. Donations made to the SCRC archives become their property and under their guidelines. With no restrictions on the materials donated the archival materials are available upon request to those looking for information on the program’s history. The intent of the history project is to continue to collect any an all sources of documentation regarding the program, including printed material, videos (of games, interviews, special events), social media posts, photographs (team originated and general public) and any other past, current and future formats.
Offshoots of the SUMH History Project An offshoot of the history project has been the SUMH Alumni Awards Weekend, during which former members of the program (players, coaches, staff) are recognized for their contribution to the evolution of the SUMH program. Soon after the history project got underway it became evident via interviews with former program participants that the continuous existence of the program was due to the dedicated effort of various individuals throughout it’s time and that those individuals should be recognized for their contributions. The weekend brings together past and present program members, helping generate a true understanding of what SUMH’s legacy is and how it has come to be. At the same time the weekend provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding players and impactful leaders and bring former participants and their families back to SU for a reunion.
The awards weekend is comprised on an on-ice ceremonial recognition of that year’s honorees (HOF Class Inductees and Van Winkle Award Recipient), an awards event, and an alumni game. Over the years the weekend continues to evolve. The on-ice ceremony held at Tennity Ice Pavilion occurs prior to the start of a regularly scheduled Saturday SUMH game where honorees are called out onto the ice, a banner hung with their names on it and a ceremonial puck drop. Over time on-air interviews with the honorees and other alumni have been added.
The Awards event has continued to grow in attendance each year. Having outgrown its first two sites, the awards are now held in the SU Law School auditorium. Initially, one of the team officers serves as awards program emcee, honorees bios are read out, a plaque, along with commemorative posters, cards and pucks were presented to each recipient. Over the years pins and an orange jacket with a cloth emblem have been added to the items presented to the honorees. At the end of the program a traditional photo is taken with the current class of honorees and that season’s team members representing the link between the past and present. Afterward there has arisen the tradition of an informal after party at one of the nearby establishments.
The Alumni Game is held the next day, Sunday at Tennity Ice Pavilion from 10am-noon. It is an informal pickup game among former players, some of their invited friends, current coaches and occasional current team members. Other events such as open skating, are beginning to evolve to broaden the involvement of family and friends and non-participating alumni game alumni.
Other Off Shoots
Because of the History Project and the Alumni Award Weekend with its various offerings there has been a rise in alumni participation and interest among to give back in some form or another. This has included the creation of SUMH Career Network page on LinkedIn, along with regular ZOOM Career Talks events as well as a rise of more interactions among alumni on a professional level. It also includes the volunteer development of the History Project website and assistance with communicating with the alumni membership. There has also been an increase in donations to support the needs of the program. If you have an idea about broadening SUMH Alumni activity let us know and we will explore with you how to move the idea forward.
The history project and its various elements and offshoots are serving as a model for other SU competitive sports clubs as to how they can increase their own visibility within and outside the Syracuse University community.
If you are interested in contributing -content, mementos or financially - to the SUMH History Project visit the webpage at: https://SUhockeyhistory.com and go to the top of the page and click “Donate” this will provide you with all the instructions on making what ever kind of donation interests you. Also, if you are an alumnus, this is your chance to register (for free) with the site and the SUMH Alumni Association at the same time. If you are already in the site reading this article, then just find the “Donate” button and click on it.
We thank you for your support in whatever form it takes.