Help to Keep Hockey in Lubbock Alive: A Letter from Coach Fioroni

Dear Texas Tech University Alumni and Texas Tech Hockey supporters:

I write this letter to you in hope of saving a hockey program that has climbed itself to the top of Big XII hockey and is now the premier university to attend and play hockey in the great state of Texas. The Texas Tech University Hockey program enjoyed their inaugural season at the Division II ACHA Conference level last season with nothing short of perfection. Compiling a 27-7 record, going 16-1 at home in the Raider Dome and finishing the season ranked 11th, the Tech hockey squad made a huge splash in college hockey around the country. With players such as Second Team All-American Kevin Mayoux leading the entire country in scoring with 61 goals in just 34 games, the Tech hockey team has commanded respect from teams around the nation.

The Texas Tech University Hockey program enjoyed their inaugural season at the Division II ACHA Conference level last season with a 27-7 record.

With a sensational season behind us, we now look to a cloudy future. With the departure of the Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Central Hockey League, and the collapse of the ice plant which makes the ice and maintains hockey here at the City Bank Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas, the Texas Tech hockey program’s future in Lubbock may be in jeopardy. The ice plant must be replaced in order for hockey to survive in the Hub City, and not just Tech hockey. The Lubbock Youth Hockey program, as well as the Lubbock Adult Hockey program, the Lubbock Figure Skating Club, General Public Skating, Open Skates, and any ice event that may take place at the City Bank Coliseum will be done. Action must be taken, we must come together as a community, as a family and save a sport and a recreational outlet that all will truly miss.

Finances for this ice plant and the future growth of hockey in Lubbock and its surrounding South Plain cities are the key to success. Texas Tech hockey has committed itself to that growth and prosperity, and will take on the role of leader and director of all hockey operations at the City Bank Coliseum. To do this will cost money, and the cost we are looking at is approximately $250,000. This money will give us the means to purchase a new ice plant ($100,000), purchase a new Zamboni machine ($40,000), and purchase the hockey materials and machinery to run the facility and to also pay to staff the City Bank Coliseum with the right hockey personnel ($50,000). The remaining funds will be distributed towards the Tech Hockey program, the youth program, adult program and any other areas that will encompass the usage of the ice ($60,000).

This is not going to be a money-making scheme for Texas Tech hockey we are not in it to make money. All we want to do is make enough funds at our home games, through our merchandising, and through our various fund raisers to pay for the costs of the utilities, the rent and any other costs involved with maintaining the ice for us, as well as all other hockey programs that will be sharing it with us. Texas Tech hockey will make sure that the youth programs, adult programs, figure skating and all other skating clubs are taken care under this financial package. We understand that this is not a small amount of money needed, but we feel through numerous sponsors, donators, Texas Tech Alumni and corporate partners, that we can and will maintain hockey here in the South Plains.

Texas Tech hockey is a non-profit organization, and all proceeds that are made through it are used to utilize what is needed for hockey here at the university, as well as hockey as a whole in Lubbock. All players who play on the Tech hockey team have had to pay ludicrous amounts of money, ranging anywhere from $2,000 a year to last season’s $3,200. That is a large burden to put on the student athlete, who is already paying for their tuition and other school materials and living expenses. No one player should have to pay that much money to play hockey; not here at Tech; not anywhere. Please help these students have an outlet that is “hockey”. Keeping hockey at Texas Tech does not just benefit the players involved with the team, but the entire university. All at Texas Tech University will get something out of this – students, faculty, and athletes – so please help us achieve this goal.

Second Team All-American Kevin Mayoux leading the entire country in scoring with 61 goals in just 34 games

We as people decide to help with many problematic issues by donating to certain charities, foundations, organizations and certain individuals who need our help. Well this issue has all of them combined. By helping out with this issue, you help your university, your students, your athletes, your future students and athletes, but most importantly the children and a sport that has changed many lives here in Lubbock and the South Plains area. Hockey needs your help, Texas Tech University Hockey needs your help, and the youth and adults of Lubbock need your help. Please understand what this means to the people of this city, the school and the many people who are associated with it, it means everything, it really does.

Help Texas Tech Hockey be the true ambassadors of hockey here in Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains. Help Texas Tech University be apart of something great. Please give what you can and pass the message along to all those who should hear it – anything will help. Let us come together the way Texans have done many times over, the way Red Raiders have done to many and become a family to help those in need. Give what has been given to you, and may God Bless all who read this and pass this along. You are incredible people who are making incredible wish’s come true.

If you are interested in helping Texas Tech Hockey, then please contact Paul Fioroni, Head Coach and Director of hockey operations.

With Kindest Regards,

Paul R Fioroni
Head Coach
Director of Hockey Operations
ptkfioroni@sbcglobal.net

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