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The USA Hockey Foundation is a charitable and educational nonprofit corporation that provides long-range financial support for USA Hockey and promotes the growth of hockey in the United States.
The Foundation’s primary goals are to enhance USA Hockey’s mission and activities; to provide funding for education and training of high-performance athletes; and to provide opportunities for greater participation throughout the country.
The USA Hockey Foundation Grant Recipient – Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation
Growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, Virlen Reyes had no idea what her future would look like. “I had no direction. I could not imagine having a goal for my life.” That was until she found the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in eighth grade.
“If I didn’t have the people from ESYHF, I would not have gone to college.” Now a junior defenseman at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, Virlen credits ESYHF, a 2011-12 USA Hockey Foundation grant recipient, with getting her life in order. “I didn’t have steady grades before getting involved in hockey. But they (ESYHF) sat down with me and worked with me on whatever I needed help with. My grades were enhanced and I enrolled in AP courses.”
55 SledsDonated To Local Disabled Programs in 2011-12
With the help of five donated sleds funded by donations to The USA Hockey Foundation, the Florida Eels sled hockey team is growing. These sleds help us run clinics and get others involved throughout the state,” said Ron Robichaud, coach of the Fort Myers Eels. “Florida has four programs, and because of these sleds we are working on two more. If those go through, Florida will have the most sled programs nationwide.”
Hunter McAloose got his start on one of the donated sleds two years ago. “Hockey gives me something to look forward to.” For Hunter, a 15-year-old with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, a rare disease that makes walking difficult, sled hockey is the perfect sport for him. “My hip sockets don’t fit correctly so I can’t do all the things everyone else can do.” But he is able to get on the ice for games or practice once a week through the Eels program.
Donations made to the Foundation help strengthen American hockey by providing support in six general areas:
Participation
The American Development Model is an initiative that started in 2009 with the aim to teach kids to play, love and excel at the game. With its financial support, the Foundation recognizes that the more children who learn to play through age-appropriate training, the more who will be involved in the sport for a lifetime.
Opportunity
The Foundation has long been a supporter of programs that provide access for disabled and disadvantaged athletes to the game of hockey. The Foundation makes grants to numerous Hockey is For Everyone (HIFE) programs. HIFE is the NHL’s youth development program that supports organizations that bring the sport to participants of all backgrounds, including inner-city youth. The Foundation also supports various disabled groups to help growand strengthen disabled hockey from the grassroots to the elite levels.
Safety
The safety of all hockey players is paramount. Among recent initiatives the Foundation has financially supported research by the Mayo Clinic on the effects of concussions in athletes and how to reduce the number of occurrences.
Player Development
As the United States strives to be the best internationally, The USA Hockey Foundation is committed to helping the United States reach the top through world-class training programs and financial assistance.
Education
Athletes, coaches, officials and parents all receive educational resources and training through USA Hockey. The Foundation supports the cause of creating excellence through consistency which is the aim of the USA Hockey education program.
Commemoration
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award and the Lester Patrick Trophy.
Miracles Happen in Hockey Every Day
A Miracle occurs...
- Each time a child is introduced to the game and experiences its thrills.
- When a disabled athlete has the opportunity to play a sport they never thought possible.
- When a young girl scores her first goal.
- When a disadvantaged youth is given a stick and skates for the first time.
- When a mother or father passes their love of the game to their son or daughter.
- When kids come together to play on a local pond.
- When an elite athlete has the honor to wear the USA sweater and take on the world's best in international competition.
We all love the game of hockey for its intensity, competition and excitement. We also love the feelings of belonging, pride and sense of community that it provides. You can share this passion by providing new opportunities that will inspire the next generation of players to develop their skills, work together and live their dreams.
You Can Bring Miracles to Life
Assistant Executive Director, Development
The USA Hockey Foundation
1775 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719-538-1114 (phone)
719-538-7838 (fax)
