SPECIAL FOCUS

Score with In-line Hockey

In-line skating and hockey programs are booming in LaGrange Park, and they're exposing more youth to the well-established sport of ice hockey.

BY JOHN HECKER, CLP

As a youngster growing up in Western Springs, III., the neighborhood kids and I would go to Spring Rock Park during the winter months and have a ball playing hockey on a flooded area in the beautiful park. After my skills developed a bit, my father enrolled me in a local YMCA house league hockey program. This soon led to a more competitive "traveling" team, competing against teams from Michigan, Minnesota and Canada. Inevitably, we would get terribly beaten by the northern teams.

That is not the case today—30 years later—for many ice hockey teams from Illinois!

True, an important reason that Illinois hockey teams are now more competitive is because there are more indoor ice skating facilities. However, also contributing to the growth in ice hockey and even competitive figure skating is the popularity of in-line skating and in-line hockey. These hot sports are very similar to ice hockey, but instead of blades, players' skates have wheels and the sports are often played outdoors on surfaces that don't melt in the summer sun.

When I think back and reflect on why Illinoisans used to get "killed" when we played those northern communities, it was because those kids grew up on the ice. Ice rinks were plentiful and ice time was more readily available, thus the skills of the players were more advanced than ours.

It seems that not everyone has the knack for ice skating. But in-line skates are much easier to master because the beginner wheel is wider and is easier to balance on. As you drive down any residential street in most communities, children are wearing in-line skates as if they are gym shoes. They are playing tag in them, going to the store, delivering their paper route in them. According to medical reports, in-line skating accident levels also are up dramatically, but this is more likely the result of everyone wearing these skates for shoes.

Bottom line, as children frolic, their skating skills are improving, and they don't even realize it. As a result, the most important skill in playing hockey—the ability to skate well—is more easily achieved.

How To Get In-line in Your Community

In a previous Illinois Parks & Recreation article (May/ June 1995), I outlined the basics of the LaGrange Park In-line Hockey Program, which began in the fall of 1993. The program continues to be a popular activity in the area with more than 380 children enrolled and another 50 adults in the senior program. We continue to answer questions from other park departments on ' how to get started and what kind of rink to construct. What follows are some basic guidelines and checklists for starting a program in your community. In-line hockey can be offered to your residents at a very reasonable rate. Although the initial individual equipment cash outlay can be $150, the cost to the agency can be kept to a minimum. The first critical issue to explore is the location of the program. A smooth asphalt or concrete surface is most desirable to get up and running. It is important to provide a space at least 100 feet x 55 feet. If

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space is not a problem, then consider an area between 150-200 feet long by 65-85 feet wide. Also, the playing area must have the capability to be enclosed, either by fencing, boards, a commercial portable rink system, bales of straw or something designed to keep the ball and players contained. This enclosure will minimize stoppages in play and provide a sense of realism for the activity.

As you drive down any residential street in most communities, children are wearing in-line skates as if they are gym shoes. They are playing tag in them, going to the store, delivering their paper route in them. Bottom line, as children frolic, their skating skills are improving, and they don't even realize it.

Before Offering the Program

• Make sure your insurance provider does not have a problem with the program.

• Investigate possible site locations and look for:

-smooth and flat surface

-minimum square footage requirements (100 feet x 55 feet)

-equipment storage facility nearby or close enough to transport

-underutilized tennis court or other court surface

• Host a demonstration of skating and hockey skills to get a better indication of interest.

• If your community shows some interest, but not enough, consider a co-op with surrounding agencies or developing a less rigid drop-in or intramural program to get started. If your community shows interest, get started!

Checklist To Start the Program

• Establish site location

• Check with your insurance carrier

• Advertise for coaches (Your best bet will be the same individuals who coach all the sports.)

• Establish a budget and set fees

• Promote . . . promote . . . promote

• Conduct your registration

• Hire league supervisor and referees

• Train your coaches (There are trainers out there that can help!)

Minimum Equipment Checklist.

• 2 hockey goals (PVC)

• stopwatch

• whistles

• singlets to be worn by players

• first aid kit

• 4 sets of goalie gear

The site location will determine what is needed to ready the site. If moving to an area that is already fenced in, it is recommended to fasten at least 2 inch x 10 inch boards to the bottom of the fence to protect the fencing and provide a "bounce" effect, which will keep the ball moving.

LaGrange Park Program Update

Safety issues continue to be the prime concern in LaGrange Park, and we are pleased to report that more than 1,500 games have been played since 1993 and the only reported injury took place near the concession stand (six stitches to the chin) due to horseplay.

Our playing surface has been color coated with an acrylic paint, paid for from the proceeds of the in-line hockey program. The entire perimeter of the fencing is lined with 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of plywood. Advertising is sold on the boards and adds a very professional look. The concession stand is now operated by a private vendor who also runs a "pro shop" that sells sticks, tape, protective equipment, skates and skate parts.

Program enrollment is made up of 60 percent LaGrange Park residents with some participants from surrounding communities. Programs are offered in nearby Hinsdale, Darien and North Berwyn. Although some private programs have begun, it seems that public park and recreation agencies are taking the lead on this inexpensive alternative to Indoor ice programs.

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LaGrange Park added an adult program this past summer and enrollment has been steadily rising. They key to the success of this age group is strict supervision and enforcement of the "No tolerance" rule relative to player behavior.

"No tolerance" means all players are required to wear complete protective equipment—with no exceptions and no second chance—and this requirement is strictly enforced. Equipment requirements include:

• ice hockey approved helmet with full face cage

• mouth guard

• elbow pads

• shin guards

• hockey gloves

• in-line skates

Keeping Them Off Your Tennis Courts

In-line skates and tennis courts do not get along, A tennis court surface is softer than the typical street or asphalt playground and will leave scuffs and groove marks. In an effort to keep the skaters off the tennis courts in LaGrange Park, a rule was placed in our league rules. The rule simply states that if a participant in the program is caught skating on any tennis court in LaGrange Park, they will be suspended from league play for a minimum of one game. Because most of the players in our town are enrolled in the program, they serve as role models to stay off the courts and generally spread the word about staying off the courts. This has been very effective!

The Future of the Program in LaGrange Park

LaGrange Park's current in-line hockey program is played on two converted tennis courts that provide two small (120 feet x 55 feet) surfaces. These rinks were small when the program began and have served us well to get started. However, due to the increase in enrollment, and more important, the skill development of the players, the rinks now seem too small.

The district is in the process of investigating the possibility of constructing a full size (200 feet x 85 feet) facility that would include a refrigeration system for ice skating programs (offered November through March) as well as provide a full-size suface for in-line skating activities. As a result, the facility could be actively used on a year round basis!

One of the problems LaGrange Park faces is a limited supply of open space.

Most of the agency's acreage is occupied by baseball and softball fields. While these sports operate only four to six months out of the year in Illinois, they are organized by very strong-willed and well-intended adults.

Can you imagine considering converting a baseball field into an in-line facility? This could happen. Maybe that is why in-line sports are known as "extreme!" •

JOHN HECKER, CLP
is the director of the Community Park District of LaGrange Park.

January/February 1997 /35

USA Hockey Inline

BY CHUCK MENKE

After two years of operation, USA Hockey InLine enjoyed another season of hockey in the sun.

USA Hockey InLine was established in December 1994 by USA Hockey, the national governing body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). USA Hockey, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., created USA Hockey InLine to answer the increasing demand for structured playing, coaching and officiating opportunities within America's in-line hockey movement.

"As a natural extension of our existing ice hockey programs, USA Hockey InLine offers the same level of knowledge, experience and commitment to service that has made USA Hockey a respected national and international sports leader for six decades," said USA Hockey President Walter L. Bush, Jr.

With an ever-expanding nationwide network of sanctioned leagues (which numbered more than 200 in early November), USA Hockey InLine promotes the growth of in-line hockey at the grassroots level and works to provide the best possible experience for all participants, through a national office staff and regional volunteers.

"USA Hockey InLine seeks to increase the awareness of hockey throughout the United States, particularly in areas of the country where ice hockey programs are less prevalent," said USA Hockey Executive Director David Ogrean.

The official off-ice program of USA Hockey also helped to promote in-line hockey on a global scale as the host federation for the inaugural IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championship in Minnesota's Twin Cities, Aug. 4-10. The IIHF and the National Hockey League (NHL) partnered to organize and stage the tournament. The first-ever USA Hockey InLine National Team captured the gold medal after downing Canada in the championship game. Team USA (6-0-0) finished the tournament with the only undefeated, untied record in me 11-team field. USA Hockey Inline is the only inline hockey program in the United States to implement a comprehensive grassroots organizational structure for its volunteers and members. It also provides valuable membership packages, streamlined sanctioning procedures for tournaments and leagues, educational and resource materials, and an annual subscription to the program's official publication, USA Hockey InLine Magazine. A comprehensive insurance plan offers liability, excess medical and catastrophic insurance coverage to registered members.

Membership in USA Hockey Inline has reached more than 32,000 since June, the first month of USA Hockey InLine's 1996-97 registration season.* Five categories exist for membership: Players (Youth and Adult), Coaches, Referees, Street Wheelers Club,. (players not involved in sanctioned league play, but receiving other membership benefits) and Weekend Warriors (singleevent membership).

USA Hockey Inline also hosts and supports a wide variety of special events and competitive playing opportunities for participants of all ages and skill levels. USA Hockey Inline again joined the NHL in staging this year's expanded NHL Breakout '96 tour by providing tournament operations support, registered referees to officiate games and volunteer coaches to conduct skills clinics for NHL Breakout participants.

USA Hockey InLine also maintains successful relationships with 12 of the leading produce manufacturers and service providers in the in-line hockey industry, including Gold-Level Official Sponsors Karhu USA, Inc., Bauer, Inc., First Team Sports, Inc., HealthSouth Corporation, Sport Court, Inc., ITECH Sport Products, Inc. and Hillerich and Bradsby of Canada Ltd. Silver-Level Official Sponsors of USA Hockey Inline are Hyper Wheels and Rollerblade, Inc., and Bronze Level Official Suppliers include Kryptonics, Inc., Sun Hockey, Inc., Viceroy Rubber and Plastics, Ltd,, and ProLine International, Inc.

*0n December 11, 1996, USA Hockey InLine announced its acquisition of the National In-Line Hockey Association (NIHA), making USA Hockey InLine the world's largest in-line hockey program. NIHA's 47,000-plus membership (including hockey players, coaches, referees and league administrators) automatically become registered members of USA Hockey InLine.

Chuck Menke
is the managing editor of USA Hockey In Line Magazine.
For more information about USA Hockey InLine, please call 1-800-888-ININ, or
write: USA Hodey Inline, 4965 North 30th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80919.

36/ Illinois Parks and Recreation