Hockey Reunion Brought Out the Best

By Bruce M. Cross '81

What would cause a nuclear physicist, a renowned heart surgeon, a world-traveled geologist, and a big-time venture capitalist to converge in Carlisle, Pa., on April 8? A clandestine meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff? A secret meeting of the World Trade Organization? A chance to mingle at a super-models convention? Wrong on all counts! How about an opportunity to lace up the old skates with fellow alumni hockey players of an earlier era in a game against the current crop of hockey stalwarts, the Dickinson student team.

Alumni Bruce Cross '81, Mitch Pinheiro '82 and Ed Bialas '83 present Coach William G. Durden '71 with the coveted #1 hockey sweater during a pre-game ceremony.

Led by an inspiring performance by head coach President William Durden '71, or "Sir William," the alumni defeated the college youngsters by a decisive 7-3 margin. Not bad for a team that hadn't skated together in years (actually decades) and whose average age was a nice round 40.

The alumni quickly got off to a 3-0 lead as Steve Aresi '86, Jay Nader '80, and Mitch Pinheiro '82 each found the net in the first 10 minutes. After the college closed to 3-2, Bruce Cross '81, and then Nader, again, scored. Mr. Nader-known as "The Snake" for his uncanny ability to elude rival defensemen while weaving in on many a hapless goalie-exhibited tremendous skill while leaving a bewildered goaltender in his wake.

The alumni hockey team poses with Coach William G. Durden '71. Front row, left to right: Dean Trevlyn '83, Steve Mann, Jay Nader '80, Eric Higgins '86 and Paul "Doc" Landry '80. Back row: Scott Colby '84, Bruce Cross '81, Coach "Sir William" Durden '71, Mitch Pinheiro '82, Steve Aresi '86 and Mike Carpenter '82. Not pictured: Ed Bialas '83, Tom Bock '81 and Bob Weiss '79.

In the third period, the student team narrowed the margin to 5-3, but then the alumni poured it on once again. First Scott Colby '84 blasted a shot home, and then Eric Higgins '86 wristed one past the goaltender. The statement was made: Alumni 7 - Students 3. Final answer.

What makes this historic event even more noteworthy is the tremendous level of dedication and sacrifice the alumni underwent to even appear at the game. One graduate, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, was delivering a paper on a new procedure at the University of Richmond that afternoon. Immediately upon completion, he rushed to his car, drove 260 miles in the pouring rain, and got to the rink in time to play the final half of the third period.

Mike Carpenter '82 drove 16 hours from Chicago, practically sleeping on the side of the Ohio Turnpike, just to play. Dr. Thomas Bock '81, a man who still has the stamina of a marathon runner, finished his Saturday appointments, then arrived just as the puck was dropped to begin this historic contest.

Paul "Doc" Landry '80 starting a break-out play.

An appropriate post-game celebration was held at an off-campus house and then the Gingerbread Man, where head bartender Dan Miller '81 acted as a most gracious host. The alumni hockey team may have lost a half-step on the ice, but the players are still front-runners at the saloon!

There is the distinct possibility that the hockey alumni will resurface once again in the near future to challenge the college youngsters, perhaps as soon as March. Interested parties should contact Mitch Pinheiro at mpinheiro@jmsonline.com or Bruce Cross at BMCross@aol.com. It should be noted that the selection criteria for this prestigious event will be based on keeping the average age at 40 or over.

Jay "Snake" Nader '80 wheels up the ice.

Past and present hockey players.