Hockey Hogs start to skate next fall
Kyle Kleber
Issue date: 5/2/07 Section: Sports
Hockey fans are few and far between in Northwest Arkansas, but that hasn't kept the popular sport from reaching this area.
The UA will welcome its first ever men's club hockey team when next fall rolls around. The club team will be the 10th Southeastern Conference team to join the American Collegiate Hockey Association, and will be in the Division III classification.
The team will possibly be given the UA license to use its name and logos, and if the team sees success and a growth of fans, will begin selling merchandise at games throughout the year. One possible name for the club team is the UA Hockey Club Ice Hogs.
There is no current arena on campus for the Ice Hogs to call home, so the Jones Center for Families ice rink, located in Springdale, will be the home arena for the Hogs next season. The arena seating is estimated to be able to hold up to 400 fans for attendance to the games.
Michael Bugbee, the club president, and Luke Parsons, vice-president, are the two men behind bringing this sport to the campus.
"I'm confident that with the team coming in, there will be a big growth and boom in this sport within the next five to 10 years," Bugbee said.
Head coach Patrick Forseth has volunteered to coach the team's first season. The Ice Hogs will play a shortened season because there isn't much funding as of yet from the UA. There is no official schedule yet, but it looks like the Ice Hogs will play six to 12 games starting in September and play through the end of fall. The games could feature a Friday night and Saturday two-game set.
Schools with verbal commitments to compete against the Ice Hogs are SMU, North Texas, Oklahoma State and possibly Wichita State, Bugbee said.
If the season goes well and sponsors come in, more SEC schools will be asked to play the Ice Hogs, Bugbee said.
There are 15 players who are going to play next season. Various students from Texas and Nebraska, with high school and junior college experience, are just some of the talent that has been brought in.
The UA will welcome its first ever men's club hockey team when next fall rolls around. The club team will be the 10th Southeastern Conference team to join the American Collegiate Hockey Association, and will be in the Division III classification.
The team will possibly be given the UA license to use its name and logos, and if the team sees success and a growth of fans, will begin selling merchandise at games throughout the year. One possible name for the club team is the UA Hockey Club Ice Hogs.
There is no current arena on campus for the Ice Hogs to call home, so the Jones Center for Families ice rink, located in Springdale, will be the home arena for the Hogs next season. The arena seating is estimated to be able to hold up to 400 fans for attendance to the games.
Michael Bugbee, the club president, and Luke Parsons, vice-president, are the two men behind bringing this sport to the campus.
"I'm confident that with the team coming in, there will be a big growth and boom in this sport within the next five to 10 years," Bugbee said.
Head coach Patrick Forseth has volunteered to coach the team's first season. The Ice Hogs will play a shortened season because there isn't much funding as of yet from the UA. There is no official schedule yet, but it looks like the Ice Hogs will play six to 12 games starting in September and play through the end of fall. The games could feature a Friday night and Saturday two-game set.
Schools with verbal commitments to compete against the Ice Hogs are SMU, North Texas, Oklahoma State and possibly Wichita State, Bugbee said.
If the season goes well and sponsors come in, more SEC schools will be asked to play the Ice Hogs, Bugbee said.
There are 15 players who are going to play next season. Various students from Texas and Nebraska, with high school and junior college experience, are just some of the talent that has been brought in.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Wayne Watson
posted 5/02/07 @ 4:02 PM CST
About time! Love hockey and the HOGS. Bring it on, boys! We are excited to have you here!
krcole
Kelli Cole
posted 5/02/07 @ 8:46 PM CST
I can't wait to see hockey up here! I will definitely come out and watch some games this fall!
John Marksmen
posted 5/08/07 @ 12:59 PM CST
It's about time we have some Hog hockey. I know fans will back the stands to watch these guys. Go Hogs!
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