LOCKPORT — Some people think Lockport is a hockey town, but it could be on its way to being a high school hockey town, too. On Wednesday night, the Lockport Board of Education meeting was invaded by players, coaches, parents and supporters of the Lockport Club Hockey Association. In a crowded room smelling like hockey equipment, person after person came to ask the district to add hockey to the 2008-09 school budget.

One by one the speakers pelted the board —like players shooting on a goalie — with reasons why Lockport Hockey should move up to the federation level, or “go fed” as they called it.

“Competitive players would remain at Lockport High School,” said hockey mom Gretchen Sukdolak.

“Going federation will give these kids that recognition,” said hockey dad Dick Russell.

Russell said going to a federation level program would give the players an opportunity to be seen in the same light as other Lockport athletes are. The recognition could come in either pep rallies or college opportunities that are open to athletes of a school-

sponsored program, he said.

Board vice president John Linderman said the club hockey team’s addition to the budget would be discussed

at a March 3

meeting of the board. The meeting was originally scheduled for March 5, but was moved Wednesday night.

Linderman also extended an invitation to the March 3 meeting to Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert, who spoke at the earlier meeting on behalf of Lockport Hockey.

“Federation” means a sport is school-sponsored and recognized, while “club” means it doesn’t have any school support. Besides the support, the competition at the Federation level would be vastly improved, supporters said.

“It would be a great accomplishment,” said varsity coach Bill Watson. “It would allow them to compete at a higher level of competition.”

Watson, who has coached the team for 15 years, added that the players would be exposed to scouting, college recruitment and higher levels of conditioning. He agreed with Russell that students would be recognized with the rest of Lockport’s student-athletes. Right now, any club hockey player who also plays two school-sponsored sports would receive only two varsity letters, getting no school recognition for the hockey accomplishments.

Nine local schools have made the jump to federation hockey since the 2005-06 school year. Some of these schools include Amherst, Kenmore East, Kenmore West, and Niagara Falls. West Seneca West, West Seneca East and Lewiston-Porter will make the jump in 2008-09, with Grand Island and Niagara-Wheatfield considering it.

According to Eggert, Lockport has only four teams to play if it stays at a club level. Two of those teams are Dunkirk and Jamestown, which Eggert noted as a long drive for parents to make on a consistent basis during a season.

Eggert also pointed out the 35-year history of Lockport hockey. The experience and longevity of the program, and the fact that it was one of the first programs in the area, suggest the kids deserve it, he said. Also, so many schools are making the change that there are fewer teams playing at the club level.

“If this trend continues, within the next year or so, there will be no teams to play,” he said. “Either we will have to go fed, or we will not have a hockey program at all. Why now? Almost because we have to.”

At the meeting, the hockey club asked the board to consider a four-year, phase-in plan. The first year, 2008-09, the association would pay for all of the costs of the program. Costs include federation dues, transportation to games, practice ice time and equipment. The next year, the association would cover about two-thirds of the costs. It would go to 33 percent in the third year, and by the fourth year, the program would be funded by the district. The first year budget for the hockey program was listed at $19,650.

Lockport Club Hockey is expanding, with the association planning on adding a modified team at the middle school level and in the future, a girls team. Besides expanding, the varsity team is also playing in the sectional playoffs this weekend.

Lockport has to petition the New York State Public High School Athletic Association to be allowed in. Watson said the Lockport Club Hockey Association has been in contact and “they have a spot for us” if the board adds hockey to the budget. Watson added the biggest reason why the move to “go fed” was important.

“Lockport is a hockey town,” Watson said. “If you throw a stick you’ll hit a hockey player.”

Contact reporter Joe Olenick

at 439-9222, ext. 6241.