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RI Hockey Hall of Fame is Established to Celebrate 120 Years of RI Hockey History
Providence, RI (1/23/2018): Two well-established hockey-related organizations have joined forces to create the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame to celebrate and preserve the state's illustrious history in that sport.
The two collaborating organizations are RI Hockey Inc. and the RI Reds Heritage Society. Chairing the nine-member founders' committee is Vincent Cimini, who made today's announcement.
Fittingly, the announcement was made on the 120th anniversary of the first recorded organized hockey game in Rhode Island history, played on January 19, 1898 when Brown University defeated Harvard 6-0 in the first intercollegiate hockey game contested in the United States.
The idea of establishing a hockey hall of fame for the state was conceived in late 2016. Since then, the founding committee, comprised primarily of representatives of the two hockey organizations, has been diligently planning for the hockey shrine. The charter class will be formally announced on March 1st. Inaugural enshrinement ceremonies will be held this coming September 20th at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI.
In his announcement, Cimini explained the background and the rationale for the venture:
“Of all the major sports, our state develops and contributes more players, coaches and executives to the highest levels of the game of hockey than to any other. Our belief is that hockey is not simply a sport in R.I. It is an integral part of our state's heritage and culture.
“We believe that the best of those who have played it, served it and distinguished themselves in doing so should be honored so that their achievements may continue to both inspire and pave the way for present and future generations of young men and women who dream of reaching the highest heights of our great game.”
The RIHHOF operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is currently funded by its two founding organizations. Most work at this time is being donated, including the building of a “virtual Hall of Fame” which is now live at www.rihhof.com, as are the organization’s new Facebook and Instagram sites. Tax-deductible donations are being sought to help sponsor and support the first formal induction ceremonies in September and to create a “Wall of Fame” at a venue of prominence in Rhode Island.
The Hall’s Board of Directors comprises nine volunteer individuals with direct and longtime connections to hockey. The organization’s Selection Committee is made up of nine highly qualified and highly respected individuals – sports and hockey historians, hockey writers, broadcast journalists, and sports executives – each carefully chosen for their expertise, local hockey knowledge, integrity, and impartiality.
Members of the volunteer Board are:
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Vincent Cimini, Chairman
Director, RI Reds Heritage Society
Former Publicity Director for the RI Reds
Former RI Correspondent to The Hockey News
Longtime Local Marketing and Advertising Executive
- Sylvester “Buster” Clegg, Vice Chairman
Former General Manager and Publicity Director for the RI Reds
Founder and President of the RI Reds Heritage Society
Retired Local Marketing and Advertising Executive
- Robert Larence, Treasurer
President, RI Hockey
Former RI Ice Rink Owner and Operator
Private Small Business Owner
- William O’Connor, Secretary
Secretary and Reunion Chairman of the RI Reds Heritage Society
Retired Rhode Island Educator
- Arnold Bailey, Director
Vice President, RI Reds Heritage Society
Retired College Administrator and Newspaper Editor
- Mal Goldenberg, Director
Director, RI Reds Heritage Society
Private Small Business Owner
- Jeffrey Hebert, Director
President, URI Hockey Alumni Association
Founder/Editor of RIHockeyLegacy.com
- Ray Morgan, Director
Longtime Director of USA Hockey’s Men’s & Women’s “Select” Camps at Lake Placid
Tournaments Director, RI Hockey & NE Yankee Conference Festivals
- Richard Oliver, Director
Former Longtime President, RI Hockey
Private Small Business Owner
For further information call 401-230-5905 or e-mail RIREDS15@gmail.com.
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Vin Cimini, chairman, announces the creation of theRhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame at a ceremony Tuesday.
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