The tradition of hillsdale hockey
Sarah Leitner
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Down the Hill
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Perhaps more appropriate , though: Where did Hillsdale's hockey team go? Twice before Hillsdale College had a hockey team, but both times the endeavor failed due to a lack of student interest.
Hockey hall-of-famer and Detroit Red Wing great,Ted Lindsay, coached the first Hillsdale hockey team for the last few years of its existence.
"I was asked to dinner by my daughter who went to school at Hillsdale College," He said. "It was at that dinner that she asked me to coach the hockey team."
Lindsay then moved to Hillsdale and began coaching.
Lindsay said his goal was for Hillsdale to eventually play NCAA Division I teams such as Michigan, Michigan State and Ferris State.
"It was easy because I loved the game of hockey, and I still love the game of hockey," Lindsay said.
The team folded in the late 1970s, and Lindsay went on the coach the Detroit Red Wings.
But the tradition of Hillsdale hockey would not be forgotten.
In the 2003 Spring semester, junior Michael Francisco was approached by Hillsdale alumnus and local resident Craig Connor, who played for Lindsay during his time at the college, about starting up the team again.
"I knew Craig [Connor] from playing at his backyard rink for three years," Francisco said. "Over the summer I researched possible collegiate leagues and discovered the 'Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference' which was at the time a Division III league."
The league was composed of other schools such as Calvin College, Hope College and Jackson Community College.
"I contacted a few coaches from the league over the summer, researched the requirements to gain admission, and spoke with the league president briefly," Francisco said. "I then sent President Arnn a letter in late July or early August, formally proposing a club team and seeking school approval and support."
Schoolmate Dan Greene caught wind of the efforts to start up a team over the summer and offered to help.
As soon as the two returned to campus in the fall, the Hillsdale College Hockey Club was formed with Francisco as President and Greene as Vice-President.
One of the biggest problems that plagued the start up of the club team was money, Francisco said. Paying for on-ice practice time, ice time and referee fees for games and uniforms added up fast.
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