As a defensive lineman, Kevin Mason was never considered a giant on the football field.  At 6 feet tall and 215 pounds, he had the size to play the position but not to tower over the opposition.  It’s a different story though when he steps out on the ice.  There, he has the size to make a big impact.  And that’s precisely what he hopes to do now that his collegiate football career has ended.

However this hit is different than the ones he used to deliver on the gridiron.  This time, he is hoping his fledgling hockey program is a hit with fellow University of Indianapolis students and alumni.  Mason is the President and co-founder of the UIndy Ice Hockey club. 

Growing up in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, hockey was always a part of Mason’s life.  “I starting skating when I was 5, played on travel teams while I was young, played high school hockey at East Greenwich HS, and even considered going to prep school for it as well after high school.”  Still, Mason chose to take another path after visiting UIndy.  “I decided to go the football route though because I visited the school and fell in love with the program here.”

College life was busy for Mason with pursuing a double-major in sports management and health/physical education as well as playing football, but after graduation he was left with a lot of time on his hands.  He returned to hockey to fill the void in his life and schedule.  There was just one problem — UIndy didn’t have a hockey program.  So he started one.  “I started looking for some leagues,” said Mason.  “I found the ACHA and realized how massive and prestigious of a league that it is, which gave me the idea to start a team at the school.”

The return to hockey hasn’t been an easy one for Mason and his teammates, but they have received support from the school in the early going.  “It was a very long process with a large amount of paperwork involved, however, the road to where we are at today has been well worth it.”  The University approved the Ice Hockey team as an official student organization this past summer, giving them the opportunity to recruit players and start holding practices.

Their initial effort was fruitful with about 25 students interested in joining the team.  However, it was quickly apparent that there is a big gap between interested and committed.  With only 10 players in attendance at their initial practice on October 5th, it was a challenge for coach Andrew Norris to run a productive practice.  Yet the coach and his charges pressed on.  Judging by the wide smile peering out through the cages, it was obvious that no one seemed to mind the small turnout.

The team may have gotten off to a slow start, but Mason and his  cohort and Vice-President Alex Williams remain undeterred. “Hockey is easily the fastest, most exciting sport to watch live,” stated Williams, “Seeing the early success the lacrosse program is having gives me hope that a hockey program would do the same.”

Without a league of their own and no games on the schedule to speak of, one might think it would be difficult to keep the group's energy and enthusiasm up.  Mason strongly disagrees.  “I made it very clear to the guys/gals on the team that we are laying out the foundation for a program that will, hopefully, be representing our school in the near future and for years to come. We are keeping our heads up, getting out on the ice, having some fun, and getting ourselves noticed.  At this point that is really all we can do, and the team understands that."

Mason knows the road ahead is a long one.  The plan is to gain acceptance into the ACHA and compete at the Division III level, but Mason and Williams are focused on the immediate challenges are recruiting players and raising the funds needed to sustain the program.  Difficult tasks for certain, but definitely worthwhile in the eyes of these two hockey lifers.  “We are working on many different opportunities around the school and within the community.  Once people see our program's value around the University as we represent it with class, we hope that we will gain the necessary support to help our program get to where we would like it to be.”

In some ways, the UIndy hockey program is a microcosm of the game itself in our state - small, but growing stronger through hard work and lots of passion.  It is a movement which Mason and the rest of the Greyhounds hope to be a big part of.  “The hockey market is growing and we hope to continue that trend,” says Mason.  “With any start-up, it takes time and it takes support.  It is still going to be a tough task, but for now, our team will continue to work hard and have fun just playing some hockey.”

For those of us who love the game as much as Mason, we hope he does.

Kevin Mason is the President of the UIndy Ice Hockey Club.  For further information on the program, email the club at uindyicehockey@gmail.com.  Practices are held at Perry Park and the Pop Weaver Youth Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairground, and are open to the public.  Follow the team on Twitter at @UIndyIceHockey.