The Varsity News

Issue date: 10/7/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Michael Martinez

Friday night, a group of students laced up their skates and pulled on jerseys stitched with the letters representing the University of Detroit Mercy. For the first time in school history, UDM would be competing in a hockey game.

A student section, school photographer and The Varsity News were there - all staples of UDM sporting events. The familiar red, white and blue that has come to symbolize the school was present on the jerseys, but one important thing was missing.

The Titan nickname that has been attached to the school and its sports for decades was nowhere to been seen. Not on the jerseys, not on the fan's T-shirts and not on the scoreboard.

Since the team has not been recognized and added by the athletic department, it cannot be affiliated with the word "Titans." Still, the athletic department and all student-athletes who proudly display the Titan name on their jerseys could learn a thing or two from the one team that can't.

The players on the "UDM club hockey team" - the only acceptable way to write the name in the eyes of university officials - have shown more heart and determination than some of the teams under the umbrella known as the Titan athletic department.

Even before their first game, the players had to overcome more than a few challenges.

First, Alex Kolpacke and Vince Recchia had to draft a constitution, hire a head coach, book an ice rink, set up a schedule, order jerseys and equipment, and set up practice times and games that wouldn't conflict with players' school schedules.

Every member of the team paid money out of his own pocket to form the team. When all was said and done, $20,000 had been shelled out.

The athletes even printed T-shirts for their fans to wear, but had to stop selling them because they had the word "Titan" on them. They cost $20 each, but they come at a higher cost. The players can be punished for wearing them on campus or even being seen in them on Facebook. That seems a little steep.

Despite that, the team's excitement only got stronger. The entire club, dressed in shirts and ties, presented a professional attitude both on and off the ice.

Hours before Friday's game, co-captain Alex Kolpacke beamed as he talked about the chance to represent his school at a sport he loves. His energy carried over into the game as he willed his club to a 6-5 victory over an experienced Lake Superior State University team.

In his pre-game pep talk, Kolpacke implored his team not to get in any fights so as not to disrespect the school and earn a suspension for the players involved. Yes, you read that right: a hockey team that didn't want to fight.

The team also worked hard to get fans involved. The players went so far as to offer vans, rented from Student Senate, to shuttle students to and from home games for free.

Their efforts earned them a sizable crowd, comparable to most men's basketball home games.

Legally, they may not be allowed to wear the Titan name, but they certainly embody everything that it represents. They show it in the way they built the team from scratch, the way they carry themselves and the way they play, regardless of what is on their jerseys.

The UDM club hockey players don't just want to wear the Titan name, they deserve to.

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