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	Vol.7, No 34, October 27, 1999
	Hockey team clubs its way to existence By Marten Lewerth Special to the Daily-Forty Niner Surrounded by the chill emanating from the rink in the Westminster Ice Palace, Long Beach State goaltender Donavon Trumble pulled on his jersey with the familiar logo shared by other teams from campus.   HOCKEY There is a hockey team at Long Beach State?  The question is nothing new to Trumble. "In school, maybe one in 10 knows there is a team," Trumble said.  This is something the general manager, president and goalie of the 49er hockey team would like to see change. "I want to get the word out there," Trumble said, as he watched his teammates practice. "I'll do what I can to make that happen." Hockey is not part of the intercollegiate athletic program at Long Beach State.  Although, the team functions out of the sports, athletics and recreation department, the 49ers are technically a club sport.  However, hockey interest in California has increased in the past ten years. Trumble hopes this will continue and eventually lead to hockey becoming a Division I sport at LBSU.  The rise of hockey's popularity in California can be traced back to August 1988, when Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.  Eleven years later, the impact of "The Great One's" eight seasons spent playing for the Kings has impacted the sport across the state. At the time of Gretzky's arrival, the Kings were the only professional hockey team playing in California.  Today, there are three National Hockey League teams -- the Los Angeles Kings, The Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the San Jose Sharks -- as well as the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League playing in the Golden State.  After a recent home game, Ice Dogs General Manager and Head Coach John Van Boxmeer offered his thoughts on Gretzky's influence on the sport. "Wayne Gretzky gave hockey instant credibility, not only in California, but in all of the United States," Van Boxmeer said. "What he did for the sport was give it media recognition. All of the sudden, everybody wanted to be like Wayne Gretzky, everybody wanted to be a hockey player." Van Boxmeer also pointed out another factor that has raised interest in the game. "The explosion of in-line skating has really helped the sport of hockey, not only in California, but everywhere," he said.  To Trumble, the spreading popularity of the sport is understandable.  "Hockey is an exciting sport," Trumble said. "It's the best spectator sport in the world. Just come out and watch one game." Attending the 49ers' games is free for students and the reactions from first-time spectators last year were encouraging, Trumble said.  Last season, the 49ers competed in the Pacific Collegiate Hockey Association and compiled a record of 14-4-1 with only 14 players on the roster. While ranked No. 2 heading into postseason, the 49ers were forced to drop out of competition when the team ran out of money.  Trumble said the team couldn't afford added traveling expenses brought on by a last minute change of venue for the playoff tournament.  Financing is a primary concern for the club. The operating cost for the team is between $25,000 to $30,000 per season. Players must pay $700 in fees and are responsible for furnishing their own equipment, except jerseys and some helmets, which the team provides.  The rest of the team's budget comes from various corporate sponsorships. They also receive financial help from the campus student government body, known as the Associated Students, Inc. This season, the Associated Students, Inc. donated $7,000 for the team's campaign.  "The Associated Students gives us a lot of support," Trumble said. "They do pretty much everything they can to help us out."  Trumble also acknowledged Rita Hayes, the team's faculty advisor from the sports, athletics and recreation department.  "She's probably the only reason we have a team this season," Trumble said. This year, the 49ers are playing in the Western Division of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.  The season will consist of 20 games against teams from UCLA, USC, and SDSU among others. Home ice for the 49ers is at the Westminster Ice Palace. They also practice there.  The club has a coaching staff of three people, led by Montreal native Raphael Borenstein, who previously coached in the Canadian Junior League system.  Open tryouts resulted in team's roster expanding to 21 players this season, with 10 players returning from last year. All players are full-time students and must be in good academic standing. Trumble said the new additions will give the 49ers a bigger, more physical team.  The 49ers played their first game of the season on Oct. 9 against the UCLA Bruins, which they won, 3-2 at the North Hills Iceoplex. While reflecting on the game, Trumble made one final adjustment to his goalie mask which protects his face. It was time for him to join his teammates for practice.  When pressed for one final comment on behalf of his team before he skated onto the ice, the 49er goalie smiled. "Just come to one game," he said. "That's all I ask."  A version of this article appears in the Oct. 22 University Magazine Online, Vol. 4, No. 3		Happiness found in L.B.   College tuition lowered   Fine Arts buildings to be made over   Overseas scholarship awarded to CSULB student   Crime Log Death is part of war   Gun dealers senselessly targeted Fright Fest   Apollo Four Forty worth import price   Legendary band reunites for new release   Reality film features strong performances   Bizarre comedy film a hit Home schedule ends with defeat   Hockey team clubs its way to existence Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.