BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
In a few weeks the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation will begin their 15th season of play. It’s hard to believe that a decade and a half has passed since that opening faceoff.
But the WNYGVIHF are just kids when compared to the Tomkins Girls Hockey Association (aka the Ithaca Shooting Stars) in Ithaca, NY. They are the oldest girl’s hockey organization in New York State, developing the player and the person since 1972.
The TGHA will begin their 52nd season of play in just a few short weeks. This organization has set the gold standard for other girl’s hockey organizations to follow.
Late last spring NY Hockey OnLine travelled to Ithaca for one of the TGHA meetings. We had the opportunity talk and listen to several of the veteran members of the Association.
Mary Grainger, a spokesperson for the Association, explained how the organization has grown over the years.
“Ithaca has always been a hockey town,” said Grainger. “When Title IX was passed into federal law in the spring of 1972, opportunities for girls and women to play hockey in Ithaca has already been established.
“When Cass Park opened here in November of ’72, the Tompkins Girls Hockey Association was organized enough to hold a practice the same week the Park opened. We are very proud of the fact that we were the first all-girls hockey program in New York State and just the third in the country at the time.
“Credit has to be given to the parents, coaches and players who have grown the program over the years. They built a strong foundation for girl’s hockey to grow from.”
By the time TGHA got to their 50th season of play for the 2022-23 season, the organization was looking to connect with as many of their former players, coaches, parents, referees and fans in general to celebrate their golden anniversary. Several events were planned through the season.
Thanks to social media and simple word of mouth, the TGHA alumni has grown. Thanks to the efforts of people within the organization, enough TGHA memorabilia and photographs were gathered to set up an exhibit at the Ithaca History Center.
In February of this year an exhibit and Kiosk opened there called “We Broke the Ice.” It runs through the end of this year.
“We’ve told people who come to visit the exhibit to allow enough time to see it,” said Grainger. “There are digital display sections to click through, as well as drawers of artifacts to look at.
“It’s an exhibit that tells the story of the growth of girls and women’s hockey in Ithaca.”
This Sunday, Sept. 29th, two guest speakers will be at the History Center from 3-5 p.m. to tell of their experiences with TGHA.
For hockey fans in general, the “We Broke the Ice” exhibit is worth the visit.
