22Sports

Liz WhittemorePhoto Editor

For the first time since the 1970s, SC4 has a hockey team… but they aren’t current students. The newly-formed SC4 Alumni Hockey Dream Team consists of SC4 alumni and local supporters. The team plays area non-profit organizations to raise money for local charities. Captain and platinum sponsor of the Dream Team is Ted Barss, player #7. “The guys are all people that care about the community but also have a love for hockey,” said Barss“It’s great doing something good for the college, but also to have the camaraderie of the team.” Barss is chief executive officer of Barss Residential Care and is also the founder of the Mary M. Barss Nursing Scholarship. The scholarship grants an SC4 nursing student $1,000 annually based on need and merit. According to Barss, most of the players on the team are over 50 years of age. “Most of us are way past the normal age for playing hockey, but still have a passion for it,” said Barss. “Hockey is one of the few sports that you can still play at our age. You don’t see a lot of old football or baseball players.” SC4 versed the Saginaw Spirit

Alumni Saturday Nov. 16 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw. The teams were tied 4-4 and were forced into overtime where the Saginaw Spirit Alumni broke the tie earning a 5-4 win against SC4 Alumni. The Dream Team doesn’t view it as a real loss. “Ultimately we’re helping other people; that’s what we want to do,” said manager and Coach David Goetze. Goetze is also director of college advancement and alumni relations at SC4. According to Goetze, the Dream Team is set up by pay-to-play and has various levels of sponsorships. Each team member, on average, has donated $500 to $1,000. Team Captain Ted Barss donated $5,000. The Nov. 16 team benefited the Jayden Lamb Memorial Foundation. Jayden Lamb was a 9-year-old

boy from Midland, Michigan. Jayden was diagnosed in 2010 with PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumors,) on his spine and brain. The Facebook group “Keep On Truckin’ Team Jayden” updated family and friends on Jayden’s progress, health, and unbelievable positivity. To date the Facebook group has over 43,000 followers. Jayden died November 27, 2012, 5 days after Thanksgiving. Since his death an onslaught of generous gestures under the title of “Paying it Forward Jayden Style” have emerged. Strangers paying for others bills at restaurants, drive-thrus, and on layaway items have become common. From their game, $4,960 was raised for Jayden’s family. The Dream Team has 3 upcoming home games on Jan. 8, Feb. 20, and March 14. Home

games will be at McMorran Place Arena in Port Huron at 7 p.m. The Dream Team’s Wed. Jan 8 game against Port Huron High School will benefit the Port Huron High School Alumni. Their Feb. 20 game against the Port Huron Police and Fire Departments will benefit programs such as D.A.R.E., Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Tickets at the games are $5. $4 of each ticket sold and all donations go to the charity for that game and the remaining dollar goes to cover the cost of using the ice according to David Goetze, Manager/Coach of the Dream Team and Director of College Advancement and Alumni Relations at SC4. Additional donations at the game for the charities are encouraged. “This hockey series has brought in $30,000 so far, something we’ve never done before. I think this is great momentum for the college, not just from a fundraising perspective but for a friend-raising,” said Goetze. The Dream Team’s last game of the 2013-2014 season will be against the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association. For tickets to the SC4 Alumni Hockey games, call (810) 989-5760.

For fun and for charity SC4 Alumni Hockey Dream Team plays hockey for local charities

Members of the Saginaw Spirit Alumni and the SC4 Alumni Hockey Dream Team after their game on Sat. Nov. 16, at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.

Photo credit Liz Whittemore.