Men's Hockey | 12/9/2019 1:22:00 PM
PITTSBURGH -- The
Robert Morris University men's hockey team is proud to announce that it will host its first Hockey Fights Cancer weekend, this Saturday and Sunday at the RMU Island Sports Center.
RMU is the first NCAA hockey program to partner with the American Cancer Society for such an event, which is built around fundraising efforts for the continuing fight against the disease.
Cancer has affected the Colonials family in particular, as program alums Chris Kushneriuk '11 and Nick Chiavetta '12 have battled the disease and former associate head coach Mark Workman passed away from cancer in February 2018.
Kushneriuk (Saturday) and Chiavetta (Sunday) will take part in pregame ceremonial puck drops as RMU faces Atlantic Hockey rival Army West Point at 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are available on
Ticketmaster for $10 in advance, or they can be purchased at the door for $12 on day of game.
"This is near and dear to the heart of Robert Morris hockey," said RMU head coach
Derek Schooley. "We felt it was important to bring awareness to and raise money for the American Cancer Society through the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.
"Cancer affects everyone but specifically has affected our program in numerous ways."
As part of the event, the Colonials will wear lavender specialty Hockey Fights Cancer-branded jerseys during the two-game weekend series against Army. Those game-worn items will be available to fans via a silent auction, which will contribute all proceeds to the American Cancer Society.
During the games, fans will be afforded the opportunity to fill out a lavender 'I Fight For' placard for display at a media timeout.Â
In addition, for those who wish to contribute to the cause outside of the auction,
a fundraising page has been set up on the American Cancer Society's website,
Cancer.org.Â
Hockey Fights Cancer was founded in 1998 by the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). Since its inception, the Hockey Fights Cancer program has resulted in donations of more than $20 million to support the cancer programs of local and national cancer research institutions, children's hospitals, player charities, and local charities.
The RMU men's hockey team is midway through its 16th NCAA Division I season. Counting this weekend, the Colonials have
eight home dates remaining at the RMU Island Sports Center on Neville Island, in addition to a matchup against Penn State on Saturday, Jan. 11 at PPG Paints Arena.
After winning seven of its first 10 league games for just the third time in program history, the Colonials (7-7-2, 7-4-2 AHA) enter the weekend in third place in Atlantic Hockey.
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