Thompson is a Finalist for Hockey Humanitarian Award
2/15/2024 10:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Two years ago, Syracuse ice hockey forward Sarah Thompson launched 'Sticks Together' to provide children in disadvantaged areas opportunities to learn and grow through the sport of ice hockey. Today the Ottawa, Ontario native is one of five finalists for the 2024 Hockey Humanitarian Award. which is presented annually to college hockey's "finest citizen" and seeks to recognize players who contribute to local and/or global communities in a true humanitarian spirit. The 2024 Hockey Humanitarian Award will be presented in a ceremony on Friday, April 12 as part of the NCAA Men's Frozen Four weekend in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
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Thompson, who was a semifinalist for the award in 2022-23, has led two 'Sticks Together' summer events, the first in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the second in Muizenberg, South Africa, and is currently planning the third event for this summer in Tigman Village, Palawan.
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A sport management major at Syracuse, Thompson manages her program through the IVHQ Sport Development Program with the goal of providing innovative physical education lessons and introduce the game of hockey. She partnered with CARHA Hockey as they further expand into community-driven work and with Play It Again Sports to collect recycled hockey sticks and other street hockey equipment to donate to the schools and communities.
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The humanitarian trip to Buenos Aires aimed to reach families living in low-income communities where opportunities for children to learn and play sports can be few and far between, while the focus for the event in Muizenberg, South Africa was to provide an opportunity for children whose schools in the community lack the funds and resources to provide physical education classes for their students.
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"EVERY KID regardless of gender, race, economic class or physical capability, deserves to participate in sports," Thompson states on her SticksTogether.org website. "EVERYONE deserves something that makes them look forward to tomorrow. For me, that was hockey. And for many others, it could be too. As the creator of Sticks Together, my goal is to ensure that those kids get the chance to play and find out."
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Thompson worked on the 'Sticks Together' concept for more than three years, brainstorming about the idea before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pause in moving forward because of COVID strengthened her passion and conviction to launch the initiative and she has not stopped working to grow the project.
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Syracuse will celebrate 12 members of the Class of 2024, including Thompson, this weekend during its series against Mercyhurst at Tennity Ice Pavilion. The Orange host the Lakers at 6 pm on Friday and at 3 pm on Saturday. The class includes seven graduate students and five seniors. All fans are invited to stay for the Class of 2024 ceremony following the game on Saturday.
For complete coverage of Syracuse ice hockey, follow us on Facebook (/CuseIce), Twitter (@CuseIce) and Instagram (@CuseIce).
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Thompson, who was a semifinalist for the award in 2022-23, has led two 'Sticks Together' summer events, the first in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the second in Muizenberg, South Africa, and is currently planning the third event for this summer in Tigman Village, Palawan.
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A sport management major at Syracuse, Thompson manages her program through the IVHQ Sport Development Program with the goal of providing innovative physical education lessons and introduce the game of hockey. She partnered with CARHA Hockey as they further expand into community-driven work and with Play It Again Sports to collect recycled hockey sticks and other street hockey equipment to donate to the schools and communities.
Â
The humanitarian trip to Buenos Aires aimed to reach families living in low-income communities where opportunities for children to learn and play sports can be few and far between, while the focus for the event in Muizenberg, South Africa was to provide an opportunity for children whose schools in the community lack the funds and resources to provide physical education classes for their students.
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"EVERY KID regardless of gender, race, economic class or physical capability, deserves to participate in sports," Thompson states on her SticksTogether.org website. "EVERYONE deserves something that makes them look forward to tomorrow. For me, that was hockey. And for many others, it could be too. As the creator of Sticks Together, my goal is to ensure that those kids get the chance to play and find out."
Â
Thompson worked on the 'Sticks Together' concept for more than three years, brainstorming about the idea before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pause in moving forward because of COVID strengthened her passion and conviction to launch the initiative and she has not stopped working to grow the project.
Â
Syracuse will celebrate 12 members of the Class of 2024, including Thompson, this weekend during its series against Mercyhurst at Tennity Ice Pavilion. The Orange host the Lakers at 6 pm on Friday and at 3 pm on Saturday. The class includes seven graduate students and five seniors. All fans are invited to stay for the Class of 2024 ceremony following the game on Saturday.
For complete coverage of Syracuse ice hockey, follow us on Facebook (/CuseIce), Twitter (@CuseIce) and Instagram (@CuseIce).
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