By Bruno Chu

Special to USAHockey.com
 

In the world of women’s hockey, the Tompkins Girls Hockey Association of Ithaca (N.Y.) has a history as storied as the game itself. As a pioneer in promoting girls hockey at the grassroots level, the TGHA remains a model organization throughout the country as it turns 35 years old. We talked to current co-president Mary Grainger about the history and current status of the association.

In 2002, celebrating 30 years of providing hundreds of young women in the Ithaca area the chance to play hockey, volunteers with the TGHA decided to publish a book to preserve the memories of the ground-breaking organization. 

“The book was self-published by one of the mothers of a former player. We sold the book with proceeds benefiting our scholarship program,” Grainger said.

“The book tells us that in 1972, the opening of the new rink in Ithaca was to correspond with the creation of a youth hockey organization. City officials wanted young girls to be involved from the beginning. At the time, Ithaca was the third-oldest girls youth organization in the country. Through the decades, the organization was part of the big push for high school girls’ hockey. There are now nine high school girls’ teams competing in the Ithaca area.”

Over three decades since its inception, the TGHA is now home to approximately 100 female youth hockey players competing at the 12, 14, 16 and 19 & Under levels in Tier II hockey in the state of New York.

“One thing unique with what we do is that all the players for our Ithaca Shooting Stars select team also have to play with a house team. We start the girls at the elementary school level in what we call initiation then move them up through our house leagues,” Grainger said.

Ithaca is also home to the eight-year-old Ithaca Shooting Stars Invitational, which is one of the oldest girls tournaments in the country.

“We bring in 24 teams, six at each of the four levels. It started out as an International Silver Stick but we went to an independent three years ago,” Grainger added.
 


The TGHA uses four different rinks to field the many teams they serve.

“We use a different rink for each day of the week. It gets a little confusing for the parents sometimes, but overall it works very well for us because it covers a large geographical area,” Grainger said.
 


As the oldest girls hockey program in the area, recruiting new players is an ongoing activity. 

“We run a series of what we call try girls hockey events -- one in October and sometimes an additional one in the winter and summer. It gives the girls a chance to put on equipment, put a stick in their hand, and just surround them with smiling coaches and players,” Grainger said. “We also hold an open house where everyone in the association skates in their street clothes and we play hokey-pokey on the ice and skate to music.”

Communication is also a key component to keeping everything in check.

“We run a newsletter every week with news of the sport in general both regionally and nationally. Communication is really key to making sure connections aren’t lost and keeping in touch with former players,” Grainger said.
 


Running an organization as large as the TGHA isn’t without its hurdles. The rising cost of ice time is a prime example.

“We have to cope with the inflation that arenas charge us to use their facilities and ultimately that is passed on to the fees we charge to the players,” Grainger said. “It’s a constant balancing act. For example, we are always looking to increase our fundraising to keep fees down, but the more aggressive we get in fundraising then the less time we get to spend with the players.”
 


Despite the challenges, Grainger is especially proud to point out some of the positive achievements they have accomplished recently.

 “We’ve established an equipment loan reserve so that families can borrow equipment before making that commitment to buy. We also have a scholarship fund to help with college through proceeds of the book as well as from the NHL’s ASSIST grant program.”
 


Ultimately, an organization is only as good as its people, and TGHA has had many great volunteers over its long history. Carol Mullins is an Olympic level referee and acted as president over the past two years. Megan Shull, who wrote two books about girls who play hockey, grew up in Ithaca and was a part of the early years both as a player and volunteer.

Recently, the TGHA and the community at large lost one of its most devoted members, Robert Cutting of Lansing, N.Y.

“Rob was one of the biggest supporters of Ithaca hockey. He was a devoted fan, sponsor and coach. All three of his daughters played for Ithaca. He was 52,” Grainger said.
 


Grainger has been involved with the TGHA for more than 10 years, serving a multitude of roles over that period. All three of her daughters have played with the Ithaca Shooting Stars, including her youngest daughter who is currently a Shooting Star.

Grainger’s involvement doesn’t figure to wane anytime soon.

“I love just sitting there at Cass Park when all our programs practice on the same night. At 5:15 Initiation takes to the ice and by 10:30 when the 19Us come off, it’s just great to watch the different players and their families, from parents with toddlers to young women who drive themselves to practice come and go. From the devotion of the volunteers to our wonderful players to the fitness value, it really is fantastic. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling for me.”

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial.

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