HAMILTON – Colgate women’s ice hockey will host an Autism Awareness Game on Friday, Feb. 1, when RPI visits Starr Rink. Puck drop for this special game is set for 7 p.m.
Over the last couple years the Colgate women’s ice hockey team has supported the Autism awareness project, Autism Speaks. And since 2011, the team with support from Colgate and local communities has raised over $30,000 for Autism Awareness and Research.
“Our team is so excited to be able to once again help Autism Speaks in raising awareness both locally and nationally,” head coach Greg Fargo said.
The Raiders teamed up with this great organization in 2011 to support Kati Williams, a local teenager from Norwich, N.Y. Williams has Asperger’s Syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests. She has been an avid fan of Colgate Women’s hockey and has worked as the team manager on game days. Colgate credits Williams for being the reason and inspiration as to why they began working with this great organization.
Last year marked the team’s second year working with Autism Speaks. The team dedicated its outing against RPI as the “Autism Awareness” game. The Raiders wore specialty designed game jerseys by Christian Mast, another big Colgate hockey fan. Mast also has Autism and focuses on spreading light to the Autism community by being an author, fundraiser, and Autism advocate. He not only enjoys watching Colgate hockey but participating in the great sport as well.
“Over the past two years, this Colgate Women’s Ice Hockey Autism Awareness Game has grown and truly become an event that people look forward to attending and supporting,” Fargo added. “Having both Kati and Christian so closely associated with our group, our team is eager to make sure that this year’s event is yet another success.”
The team is asking everyone who attends the game on Feb. 1 to wear blue in support of this cause. All fans that do so will receive free admission into the game. Prior to the start of the game there will also be a ceremonial puck drop by a special guest.
Colgate will be wearing special Autism Awareness jerseys, which will be auctioned off until Feb. 7. CLICK HERE to preview the jerseys. Throughout the game, Autism T-shirts will be sold as well as a Chuck-A-Puck contest held during the second intermission. Fans get a chance to throw a puck onto the ice, and whoever gets closest to center ice will win two 2013-14 men’s and women’s season tickets. Costs of the pucks are $3/puck, $5/2 pucks, and $10/5 pucks.
All proceeds from the game will go to Autism Speaks, so please join the Raiders in supporting this great cause.
ABOUT AUTISM
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS
Autism Speaks is North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs.
Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council, which has received over $249 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100-Day Kit for newly diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America.
To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
