In the Maryland Student Hockey league, there are 13 varsity league teams representing high schools in Montgomery County.  Each team has 15-21 athletes who put in hours and hours of work each week for their sport.  It is unbelievable that these students are not supported or recognized as official Varsity Athletes by the county and schools that they represent.  Above all else, we believe that these students deserve to earn and receive recognition for their achievements, hard work, and dedication, as all other varsity athletes, with a Varsity Letter.

In addition, Hockey is an expensive sport for parents because of the gear, ice costs, and length of season. Our initiative is important for players and parents in also helping players to be able to afford the costs of playing ice hockey. The cost of high school hockey is too high for some players and so the school does not have the ability to offer hockey to every possible player.  Because of the limitations of not being an official varsity sport, school fund-raising opportunities are limited or non-existent for ice hockey athletes.  Allowing hockey to be sponsored by their school, and raise funds would allow more high school students the chance to play.

Hockey is becoming more popular because of the recent success of our home team in the NHL, The Washington Capitals. Our area has seen a huge boost in hockey players and all schools have seen growth in their hockey programs. Montgomery County Public Schools should officially recognize the teams representing their schools. This help would make the players and the teams more successful. Simple things such as morning announcements of games and times, website announcements, with posting of times and scores, are easy to implement and cost nothing. For a small price, a spirit bus for the first game of the season would help to promote the team and generate excitement for the season. These relatively easy things, and a Varsity Letter, would show support for the Montgomery County Ice Hockey Players, who proudly wear their jerseys to represent their schools.  This should be a school-supported sport.

Please join us in creating a new official Varsity Sport in Montgomery County!