RMU men's hockey team gives back to the local hockey community
By: Alyssa Benson and Brooke Smith

  
  A lot of people consider hockey players to be egotistical and rude. However, members of the Robert Morris University men’s hockey team are proof that this stereotype is incorrect. Throughout the year, the team voluntarily participates in various youth hockey camps at the RMU Island Sports Center.
  Colonials such as current junior forward Trevor Lewis, sophomore defenseman Brendan Jamison and freshman forward Colin South all volunteer at camps down at the RMU Island Sports Center. All three remember attending camps when they were younger, which makes working these camps brings back fond memories.
  “When I was really young I used to go to the Pittsburgh Forge camps at the Island Sports Center,” said Jamison.
  “I believe my first hockey camp was when I was 4 years old so quite a long time ago,” added Lewis.
  Both Jamison and Lewis started acting as counselors at camps last year and this is South’s first year participating as a Colonial.
  “I do as many as I can, and anytime I'm needed I try to help,” said Lewis.
  While the Colonials do enjoy working with the kids, sometimes working with younger children can cause minor issues. A lot of the issues mainly happen with the younger kids because they tend to have a shorter attention span.
  “A lot of them like to shoot pucks off the wall while we are trying to talk to them,” said Jamison. “But we can't really blame them because we all did it ourselves at that age.”
  Working at these camps has taught the Colonials a lot of things that aren’t hockey related. Both Jamison and Lewis agree that these experiences have taught them how to work with little kids.
  “We are with them all day so it gives us a chance to see how much of a handful kids are,” said Jamison.
  Lewis also added, “It has made me become more patient because they have a hard time picking things up right away.”
  While Jamison and Lewis have learned patience, South has learned more then just that in his first year at the camps.
  “Working at these camps has taught me two things that can be applied to something other than hockey,” said South. “The first is that myself, and others as well, need to be good role models and try to set a good example whenever we can. Also it has taught me that if I am involved in anything whether it's school or work or anything else I need to work hard.”
  Working at these camps could tend to become redundant, but that does not stop the Colonials from continuing to work at these camps.
  Everyone has different reasons as to why they keep working as counselors at the camps. For Jamison, one of the main reasons he keeps returning is the fact that these kids look up to them.
  “They think it's so cool that we play for a college team,” said Jamison. “It's nice to help out and get to know kids on the teams that I used to play for. It lets them know they can make it.”
  For Lewis, it’s the fact that he loves working with the kids and it allows him to thank them for their continued support of the Colonials.
  “They support us a lot throughout the season and to give some time back to them is something I feel is important.”
  South also enjoys working with the kids especially when they are good listeners and eager to learn more about hockey.
  “Working with the kids and watching them improve and have fun while they are doing it is quite enjoyable.”
  The fact that all of the Colonials all work together really helps build team unity.
  “It has given us a different perspective on one another with how we act around the kids,” said Lewis.  “I think it’s a great way to have us spend time together outside of school and the hockey season.”
  “When we are assigned to be counselors to camps we usually get paired up so we work together,” added Jamison. “Another aspect that brings us together is the sense of accomplishment we all get after they are over.”
  The Colonials have learned to realize that not all kids are as passionate about hockey as they are, but they know that they still have to find out how to keep these kids interested while they are on the ice.
  “If they don't want to be serious about hockey that's fine, I’ll just be their friend and talk to them about other things,” explains Jamison.
  “Sometimes it gets a little frustrating when the kids don't listen but as long as we make sure they have fun I think it’s usually a success,” said Lewis.
  By working at these camps, the Colonials have learned even more about hockey.
  “It gives me a sense that hockey is just a game and it shouldn't rule my life,” said Jamison.  “I see these kids and they're having fun with no worries. That's how it should be and we need to be reminded of it sometimes.”
  Lewis also added that this shows him just how much he still loves the game and why he wanted to play hockey in the first place.
  Juggling school, hockey camps, their commitments with the Colonials and other commitments can be quite taxing, but the Colonials never use that as an excuse to not help out at the hockey camps.
  “It’s not too bad trying to juggle these things,” explains Lewis. “I would say just trying to stay on top of things can be hard and it’s important to be good with time management.”
  Pittsburgh natives Brendan Jamison and Colin South both realize that hockey is rapidly growing in this region and are excited to be a part of it.
  “It’s absolutely exploding right now. It was beginning to grow when I was rising through the ranks but it is much bigger now,” recalled Jamison. “It's great to see and it means a lot to me because more people are interested in the sport then ever before in this city.”
  “Watching and being a part of the growth of Pittsburgh hockey has been incredible,” said South. “The difference in the amount of and quality of players since I started playing is amazing and hopefully it will continue to grow.”
  South also realizes that it is critical for the Colonials to be a part of the growth of hockey in Pittsburgh.
  ”Hopefully as a team our success will only further increase the kids wanting to play hockey and someday play for Robert Morris. Any chance the team gets to interact with young players we jump on it,” explained South.  “As far as that aspect goes I think our team does a really nice job.”
  Jamison, Lewis, and South plan on continuing to work these camps for as long as they can, because they know it not only brings joy to the kids but themselves as well.