The Armstrong Blue and Orange hockey teams toured the Armstrong County Jail last week on a special Drugs Kill Dreams Jail Experience Tour. (submitted photo by Team Manager Paul Kanish)
by Jonathan Weaver
Dozens of local hockey stars want to make an impact off the ice as much as they do on it.
Last week, sixth, seventh and eighth grade hockey players on the Blue or Orange middle school teams toured the Armstrong County Jail for a special Drugs Kill Dreams Jail Experience.
Middle School Assistant Coach Brad Mitchell has coached off-and-on for nearly 15 years, but last week was his first experience in the Rayburn Township facility.
Mitchell, of Kittanning, explained the idea came from the River Hawks boosters.
“I think there are enough concerned parents and concerned kids that the boosters helped organize a program like this,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s a great program. There are people out there willing to help and that want to see kids stay drug-free – it’s a losing battle, though.
“I think this is a step in the right direction, and hopefully it continues and makes a difference.”
Middle School Assistant Coach Jim Hendrickson started coaching amateur teams in 1989. Daughter, Victoria, skated for Ford City skated a few years before the Sabers won the 2013 Open Cup Championship, and is now also an assistant coach.
He also called it a worthwhile experience.
“I think the conversations with (Coroner Brian Myers) were very enlightening for parents. They maybe had their eyes opened to what’s happening in this county. If they didn’t have them open before, they probably do now,” Coach Hendrickson said.
While the young teams are struggling in the standings, Hendrickson said this is the first year there are two middle school teams due to the large enrollment and at tryouts. All athletes are in the Armstrong Junior/Senior High attendance area.
Varsity Head Coach Doug Anthony said while the middle school teams toured the jail last week, the junior varsity and varsity teams toured last month.
A total of about 60 hockey athletes got the Jail Experience – 30 from the middle school teams and 30 between junior varsity and varsity teams, not including siblings and parents.
“We want to start being proactive in the fight against drugs,” Coach Anthony said. “We just want to make parents aware, coaches aware of the signs they should be looking for with these young people. We were excited to do it.
“I think we learned a lot.”
Coordinator Debby Fazekas said boosters contacted Jail Experience organizers in November.
“We never once had a partnership with any sports team,” Fazekas said. “I can’t tell you how much that meant to us because they, whether they know it or not, are very influential to other kids.”
Fazekas said local residents are already registered for next month’s regular Jail Experience and sees more local excitement about the drug prevention program.