For over 40 years the Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association has been a not for profit organization that provides area youth the opportunity to not only play and learn the game of ice hockey, but also teach the values of good sportsmanship, fair play, and respect to others.
Over Presidents Day weekend the C.C.Y.H.A. hosted their annual Mid-Winter Classic Hockey Tournament at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena.
As noted in the The Post-Journal Feb. 18 article "Hockey Is A Boon For Area Business," the tournament brought in 37 teams, nearly 600 players and their family's to Downtown Jamestown for three days of non-stop hockey. This included teams from Western and central New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and of course, our host Laker teams. The Post-Journal provided excellent coverage of the tournament and was very gracious in publishing late game recap's next day. This is a big hit, especially with visiting teams.
As a not-for-profit organization, this is by far the associations biggest fundraiser and was a huge success not only for the C.C.Y.H.A. but for area business. Most area hotels were sold out with many families finding accommodations in Warren and Peek'N Peak resort.
Area restaurants and business reaped the benefits as well. As a C.C.Y.H.A. board member and tournament volunteer, we made a point of recommending locally owned and operated business's and eateries at every opportunity. It is the local business community that continually supports the C.C.Y.H.A. and although the list of sponsors is too numerous to cite in this letter, please accept our deepest gratitude for your support year after year. Your support makes all of this possible.
I would be remiss if I did not recognize Kurt Silcott and the staff at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena. They truly demonstrated why the J.S.B.I.A is the jewel of Downtown Jamestown. As a volunteer, person after person I spoke to commented on not only what a well run tournament the C.C.Y.H.A. put on but also how much they enjoy the facility and amenities. Thanks Kurt and staff!
It is important to note that the C.C.Y.H.A. is a volunteer organization. In addition to the association coaches who spend countless hours teaching the game of hockey, many people spent many hours volunteering their time to make this tournament a success. In particular, tournament director and C.C.Y.H.A. board member Russ Bell worked for months marketing and attracting the record number of teams that attended this year's tournament. There were numerous C.C.Y.H.A. members, including Bell (and family), who spent the entire three days, from start to finish, at the arena, ensuring success. This also includes our T-shirt vendors Joe and Debbie Spoto, as well as our photography vendors Scott and Melissa Regal.
Additionally, the tournament would not be possible without the support of every Jamestown Laker family. Every family pitched in, in some fashion, at some time during the tournament, volunteering their time to support their association. Success certainly would not be possible without this support.
Thank you all for a great weekend and another great C.C.Y.H.A. Mid-Winter Classic tournament!
Greg Noon is a C.C.Y.H.A. board member at large.