The origin of the Inner-City Education (ICE) Program is unique. In 2002, a Chicago
team of 13-14 year olds began its hockey season with a “0 & 6” record. Through teamwork
and persistence, the team finished the regular season with a winning record and
went on to win the Illinois Northwest Hockey League, Division 3 Championship. Apart
from its record, this team was special: nearly half of the team lived on the impoverished
West Side of Chicago in some of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. One player
lived with his three younger brothers and their mother in very difficult circumstances.
Another player lived with his twelve siblings in a ramshackle building on the West
Side. A third has been homeless on occasion and another was a ward of the state.
All have a love of hockey.
Many of these players were introduced to ice hockey during the prior several years
in a pick-up program in Garfield Park (Chicago). Several of those children quickly
developed a passion for the game and were invited to play organized hockey by Coach
Brad Erickson. While coaching this diverse group of student athletes, Brad recognized
the need for, and first proposed the concept of, the ICE Program to Howard Birnberg.
Ultimately founded in 2003, the ICE Program presently has six student athletes attending
highly regarded high schools. It is our goal to provide funding for the education
of many more disadvantaged players.