OSWEGO, New York – Plans are set for this year’s 2010 Erik Cole Dream Big Foundation Golf & Hockey Classic to be held this upcoming weekend in Oswego, according to Event Organizer Kevin Caraccioli.
The 3-on-3 Youth Hockey Classic returns once again this year on Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st at the Campus Center Ice Arena at SUNY Oswego, and the Erik Cole Dream Big Foundation Golf Classic will tee off on Monday, August 2nd at the Oswego Country Club.
The field of teams for both the youth hockey classic and golf tournament have been filled according to Caraccioli. Dinner/silent auction tickets for Monday evening are still available.
New to this year’s event will be an additional division in the 3-on-3 Youth Hockey Classic for Sled Hockey teams. Four teams will compete in the new division.
The Erik Cole Dream Big Foundation was established in 2007 by Oswego-native, NHL hockey player, Stanley Cup Champion, and U.S. Olympian Erik Cole. The non-profit organization was created to support youth hockey programs, as well as children who are suffering from cancer and other diseases.
“We’re looking forward to a great upcoming weekend for the Oswego community and the Dream Big Foundation,†said Cole. “We’ve added some additional activities, celebrities, and new corporate partners this year, and appreciate everyone’s support of our annual fundraising effort.â€
“We’re especially grateful for the continued support from our event sponsors Pathfinder Bank and Nike/Bauer for their assistance in helping us grow this weekend once again this year,†he added.
NEW SLED HOCKEY DIVISION IN THE 3-ON-3 YOUTH HOCKEY CLASSIC
Four sled (sledge) hockey teams will join the weekend activities in an additional division of the 3-on-3 Youth Hockey Classic tournament on Saturday, July 31st and Sunday, August 1st at the SUNY Oswego Campus Center.
Sledge hockey, commonly known as sled hockey in the US, was invented in the early 1960’s in Stockholm, Sweden at a rehabilitation center. The sport was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play ice hockey and it has grown to be one of the most popular sports in Paralympic Games.
The Erik Cole Dream Big Foundation and Move Along, Inc., a non-profit group based in Liverpool, New York, have partnered to include the sled hockey team division in this year’s hockey tournament. Move Along, Inc., and founder/Oswego-native Greg Callen, provide adaptive recreational opportunities for people who live with physical disabilities in Central New York.
“We’re very excited to add these wonderful and dedicated athletes to our event,†said Cole.
YOUTH HOCKEY CLASSIC
The 3-on-3 Youth Hockey Classic, which is supported in part by the Oswego Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), is a USA Hockey sanctioned event, and will once again hit the ice for OMHA Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee, and Bantam participants. Each team will play 2 games on Saturday and 2 games on Sunday.
Complete tournament rules and game schedules are available upon request by contacting Hockey Classic Tournament Coordinator Tim Graber at (315) 591-2906 or by emailing [email protected].
All participants will receive team jerseys. The games are free for all spectators to enjoy.
“The Campus Center Ice Arena on the SUNY Oswego Campus will once again provide a great setting for our area hockey players and this community to enjoy some great competition,†Cole said. “We have a wonderful group of participants and coaches involved in the hockey classic, and we’re really looking forward to it.â€
GOLF CLASSIC
According to Event Organizer Kevin Caraccioli, this year’s golf tournament is once again sponsored by Pathfinder Bank, and will showcase Cole, as well as other NHL players, national and regional media, and local celebrities. Celebrities committed thus far include: Carolina Hurricane Teammates Joe Corvo and Chad LaRose; Carolina Hurricanes Play-by-Play Television Announcer John Forslund, New York Islander and Fulton-native Rob Schrempf; XM Radio’s “Home Ice†Shawn Levigne and Jamie Shalley; and TK99/105’s Gomez and Dave.
The golf event will be a four-person captain-n-crew format, and corporate teams will receive 18 holes of golf at the Oswego Country Club, golf cart, lunch, cocktail party, dinner, tee and green signage and a gift bag. Individual fees include everything but the tee and green signage. Tickets for the cocktail party and dinner can be purchased separately for $50 per person.
Breakfast, registration and goodie bag pickup, as well as use of the Oswego Country Club Driving Range and Putting Green will be available from 9-11 a.m. Team photos and celebrity introductions will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. shotgun start. Cocktails and a silent auction begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner, an awards presentation, and live auction starting at 6 p.m.
Tim Horton’s will provide a light breakfast and coffee for both the hockey and golf events, and the Oswego Sub Shop has agreed to serve lunch at the turn during the golf tournament for the sixth straight year.
According to Caraccioli, as in years past there will also be a variety of on course activities, as well as silent auction items and raffle prizes. The Carolina Hurricanes, have figured heavily in this event, as well as the NHL, NHLPA, Nike/Bauer, and local supporters including Pathfinder Bank, the event sponsor.
“We’re really looking forward to a wonderful weekend of hockey, and a great day of golf on Monday,†said Caraccioli, “And, once again thank you to all of the local sponsorship support and volunteers who have stepped up to help with the tournament and its success.â€
For more information regarding the Erik Cole Dream Big Foundation Golf & Hockey Classic, please call (315) 343-1939, or email [email protected].
