Saturday, March 17, 2012

MERRIMACK COLLEGE AND THE ISLANDERS PARTNERSHIP

Press Release

Richard Gallant, President of the Islanders and Chris Hopey, President of Merrimack College have entered into a long term agreement for Merrimack College to become the home rink for the Islanders. The contract goes into effect immediately and will give the Islanders teams a home rink for the next 20 years.

The partnership has recently grown with the development of a second ice rink on the College’s campus with construction to begin late summer. The Islanders will also provide the College with comprehensive management and ice scheduling services as part of its agreement.

“The partnership with Merrimack College is a key component of our continued commitment to the growth and the development of talented young student athletes. Together, Merrimack College and the Islanders will work to create the premiere youth hockey destination in New England,” said Gallant.

President Hopey said “the partnership reflects a new vision for Merrimack College as a leader in community outreach and engagement, and illustrates how colleges can build world-class facilities and create new programs and initiatives that benefit both the College and the community by connecting the right people at the right time. Richard is a great partner with the College through our long term relationship with the Middlesex Islanders and his leadership commitment as a member of the President’s Advisory Board.”

The College has developed a strategic plan of its own and among the projects planned for the first phase of the Agenda for Distinction are strategic academic investments in faculty, a new undergraduate liberal arts core curriculum, graduate education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math); a new facility for the Sports Medicine Program, the Volpe Sports Complex Expansion for a potential move to NCAA Division 1, as well as the growth of the residential campus.

Middlesex Islanders, LLC, (MXI) one of the premier development and competitive hockey programs in New England with more than 750 players competing in all 5 Premier New England Hockey Leagues – the Eastern Junior, Empire and ESHL Junior Hockey Leagues and the Eastern Hockey Federation (“EHF”) and the N.E. Women’s Hockey League.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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