More Than Just Friends of Panther Hockey

Author: Lanford Beard

Every year, Panther hockey sees its ups and downs, but the support of the recently formed Friends of Panther Hockey has become the one constant that keeps Middlebury sports fans coming back to connect with the players.

Kim P. Loewer '76, founder of Friends of Panther Hockey (FOPH) said that the organization started "almost by accident" in the middle of the 1999-2000 hockey season. He and his wife had just moved back to Vermont and wanted to join the Middlebury Hockey Booster Club. The problem? There was none.

So, Loewer took the reigns himself and formed FOPH, which now boasts approximately 200 members from 20 states and three countries.

On the nature of the organization, Loewer mused, "A mission statement would be a bit too fancy for our group. The best way to describe us is to say 'Panther men's and women's hockey is our passion. Membership in our group is easy. $10 per year for which you get quite a bit in return. And, oh yeah, you also have to bleed Panther blue in order to qualify for membership."

Anyone who has ever bought a ticket before the hockey games or participated in the 50/50 raffle has seen FOPH in action. Being "an event driven organization," this raffle is one of their most frequent activities.

Among the familiar faces are Middlebury employees Vern and Yvonne Riley, Stehanie Neil, Bob Preseau, alumna Vice President Krystal Sewell '88 and Secretary Ric McDurfee.

In addition to making the fans happy, a portion of the raffle's proceeds goes to charity. "This past year we have donated over $2,000 to Addison County organizations such as Orphanage Outreach, United Way, Porter Medical Hospital and Vin Fucile Sports Field Fund, just to name a few," commented Loewer.

FOPH also does a lot of behind-the-scenes service for Middlebury women's and men's hockey teams. They have started a tradition of annual events that foster the sense of family at the heart of the club.

Besides a year-end reception for both hockey teams, a potluck dinner for new Panther hockey team members and participation in several alumni events, this year Sewell conceived the idea of "Team Feeds."

"During back-to-back home games, we cook up a meal after the game for players, coaches and parents. This is a great opportunity for the team to relax after the game and enjoy some home-cooked food with their families. Krystal's idea was a huge success this year, and we plan to make it a regular event for both teams next season," explained Loewer.

One of the ultimate aspirations for FOPH is to become the nation's top Division III booster club. Though there is no official ranking, the teams and fans take notice of those clubs that are "making a mark," and Loewer has received many compliments that indicate FOPH's prominence.

Right now, Loewer considers the best booster club the Norwich University Blueline Club. In a gesture of community and good sportsmanship, this February McDurfee organized a reception between the two clubs in Kenyon Arena after the Norwich-Middlebury game. Loewer proudly remarked, "The event was quickly termed 'The Function' on the U.S. College Hockey Bulletin Board, and hockey fans marveled that two competing colleges like Middlebury and Norwich could have such an event." 'The Function' was a huge success with over 100 fans attending.

One way that FOPH takes its support off campus is their annual "Away Game Bus Trip" for members. This year they traveled to Williams and next year they will be going to Norwich, where the Blueline Club will host the now annual Blueline Club-Friends of Panther Hockey reception.

With the growing popularity of the group, Loewer emphasized that the important players in this venture are not only the team members, coaches and fans but also the players' parents.

"The events that we sponsor are all geared toward recognizing the players, coaches and parents as integral members of the greater Middlebury College community and as our lifelong friends and extended Middlebury College family," he said.

This sense of family and philanthropy is what keeps the group thriving. While the group sends out an electronic newsletter, "The Duke," they would eventually like to have their own Web site.

Also, FOPH members would like to "take the momentum, energy, enthusiasm and fan support of FOPH and extend it to other Panther athletic teams" since many of the members follow other Middlebury sports during the off-season, Loewer went on to explain.

Ultimately, the credit for FOPH overwhelming success, emphasized Loewer, cannot be placed in the hands of a few members or players but must be recognized as a group effort.

He mentioned the great support of those who organize the events and raffles as well as the fans who attend the games and the athletes' and coaches' dedication.

In summation, Loewer stated, "Basically, we want the players to feel that the fans look upon them as part of our extended family now and forever into the future."

Loewer encourages all readers who would like to join the effort to support Panther women's and men's hockey to e-mail him at pantherhockey@middlebury.net, call (802) 545-5600 or write to P.O. Box 1286, Middlebury, Vt. 05753.