Brett Tatman, a local Windsor, CO businessman has petitioned Colorado State University to add division 1 ice hockey as a sport within the next five years. The petition is based around the belief that ice hockey, unlike other current sports programs, will be a self-sustaining sport at the university level.
Tatman's optimism is based on the wildly successful Colorado Eagles semi-pro hockey franchise located in Loveland, Colorado. “The truth is that the Budweiser Events Center could double its current 5,000-plus seating, and still sell out every Eagles game,” said Brett Tatman, founder of the movement. This means there are plenty of people in Northern Colorado who want to see hockey that are not getting a seat.
Due to the high demand for Eagles tickets, Tatman initiated a petition calling for D1 hockey at CSU, which has received over 1,150 signatures supporting the movement. “The petition is more or less a litmus test to gauge the level of support in the community and to help in the decision of whether or not to formalize our efforts and continue down our current path,” said Tatman. “The early success of the petition has convinced us that bringing hockey to CSU is a worthwhile pursuit and that there is support for our cause, which is why we have incorporated the Ram Hockey Group, LLC”.
The Ram Hockey Group’s mission is to add division 1 ice hockey at Colorado State University, while simultaneously supporting youth and club hockey in Northern Colorado. The Ram Hockey Group is a private, non-profit organization that strives to maintain a positive relationship with the CSU athletic department, while acting as a conduit for donors who want their dollars to go specifically towards adding a D1 hockey program instead of other sports programs. When a donor gives money to the Ram Hockey Group, fifty percent is saved for the Drive to D1 campaign. The remaining fifty percent is distributed equally between local youth programs and CSU club hockey. “The fifty percent going towards the Drive to D1 campaign is held in an interest-bearing account, and will eventually go towards subsidizing the new hockey program.” “We believe that subsidizing a hockey program for five years, at $1,500,000 per year would make this a reality. We have a lot of work to do.” “Ultimately we need to raise that money over the next five years, and then on the sixth year make the University an offer it can’t refuse.” When the university is ready to add a sport, the Ram Hockey Group wants to make sure that ice hockey is the frontrunner.
The Ram Hockey Group has recently formed its Board of Directors, made up of local business owners and hockey lovers.
More Info: http://www.ramhockey.com
