The 2014 ECHL Booster Club Jamboree is now officially in the books. The Evansville IceMen Maniacs Booster Club hosted the 26th annual gathering of booster clubs and fans from around the ECHL, July 18-20 in Evansville, Indiana.
Delegates representing ECHL clubs came from Cincinnati, Kalamazoo, Reading, South Carolina, and even Ontario (California). We also welcomed delegates from a former ECHL city, as the Dayton Professional Hockey Booster Club (now supporting the Federal Hockey League’s Dayton Demonz) made the trip to Evansville as well.
Most of the Jamboree gang poses for a photo during a
break in the discussion at the Tropicana Casino.
Tons of great information was shared about club communication, member participation, services provided to teams, and fund-raising ideas. Attendees enjoyed a casual dinner at Ellis Park on Friday night, tasty Turoni’s pizza for lunch on Saturday, and a delicious Tropicana Casino buffet for dinner on Saturday.
Jamboree attendees enjoy a casual lunch at Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery.
After Saturday’s dinner, IceMen game-night emcee Stephen Rickard conducted an auction of gift baskets and other donations, which raised $600 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a wonderful cause that is very near and dear to the hearts of the IceMen Maniacs Booster Club.
And in the “main event,” IceMen Athletic Trainer Brian Patafie entertained with nearly 2 hours of hilarious and insightful stories from the world of hockey. Patafie playfully “roasted” several teams from around the ECHL, opened up in an interview with IceMen radio broadcaster Derick Benigni, and took questions from the audience. Though most of the evening was played for comedy, Patafie did occasionally get serious about the anti-bullying campaign he spearheads in the Evansville area, concussions and other serious injuries in hockey, and players battling addictions.
Evansville IceMen Athletic Trainer Brian Patafie delivers a hilarious speech about the ECHL and his decades in the business of hockey.
Overall, it was a very fun and productive weekend, and the IceMen Maniacs want to thank all of those who attended. Stay tuned to this website in the coming months for information about the 2015 Jamboree!
Leave a Reply