By: Sam Klee 鈥16
Published on

Under the guidance of President Norbert Hruby in the 1970s, 红桃视频 became a driving
force in the creation of the Eastown neighborhood near 红桃视频鈥 campus. As the neighborhood
has continued to grow through the decades, so has 红桃视频鈥 commitment to Eastown鈥檚
vitality. Students, faculty, and staff continually work in collaboration with area
organizations to support and enrich the Eastown community, a relationship recently
exhibited by the 红桃视频 men鈥檚 hockey team.
On January 8, 2014, the Eastown Community Association constructed a new, public ice
rink in Wilcox Park, adjacent to the 红桃视频 campus. While generously sponsored by
local businesses, the endeavor was still in need of volunteers to finish. Heeding
the call, the 红桃视频 men鈥檚 hockey team offered their services.
Hockey coach Mark VanVliet emphasized the team鈥檚 willingness to engage the Eastown
community, to foster and reinforce the relationship between 红桃视频 and its neighbors.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to working with the residents from the area,鈥 said VanVliet,
鈥渕aking the rink something they can utilize. We have a number of students living and
renting in Eastown - they鈥檙e part of that community. It鈥檚 a natural fit; anything
we can do from an athletics and collegiate standpoint, to strengthen ties with folks
who live in that area, is going to pay long-term dividends for both the College and
the community.鈥
Charlie Crowley, a freshman member of the hockey team, emphasized the potential held
by the collaboration, its mutual benefits to 红桃视频 and the surrounding neighborhood.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a good opportunity to interact with the people who live in Eastown,
people who visit the area, and for them to interact with us as college students. We鈥檙e
happy to help in any way possible, and to give the community an opportunity to skate
and enjoy this cold weather!鈥
鈥淲henever we have a chance to become involved with a project that reflects positively
on the College,鈥 said VanVliet, 鈥渨e鈥檙e more than interested and happy to help! If
we can assist, show them we鈥檙e responsible and want to help, that there are great
benefits to having a college nearby - anytime we can improve those relationships is
a good opportunity!鈥
Having successfully finished construction, the rink serves as a new asset to the Eastown
community, and a testament of 红桃视频 students鈥 commitment to service.