SPORT OF HOCKEY BRINGING EQUITY AND INCLUSION TO THE BY: MICHELLE CRECHIOLO
Over the past decade, the Penguins have made great strides in helping foster the growth of youth hockey in the Pittsburgh area. Last year was no different, as the organization keyed in on hockey diversity programming, which was spearheaded by the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. “The Penguins are committed to bringing equity and inclusion to not only our organization, but the entire sport of hockey, beginning with our own community,” Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse said. The Penguins created the Willie O’Ree Academy, a free program designed to provide unique support, training and mentorship opportunities for Black youth hockey players in the Pittsburgh area. It is named in honor of Willie O’Ree, who became the NHL’s first Black player in 1958 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2018. The academy featured instruction from former NHL players and the hockey and training staffs at the Penguins’ official practice facility at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex during its nine-week training program over the summer. Once that concluded, monthly educational programs began in September. “The focus wasn’t just on kids who currently aren’t playing hockey, but on kids who are playing now who may not have all of the resources that other players have,” said Kevin Acklin, Penguins chief operating officer and general counsel. “The Willie O’Ree Academy was something we worked directly with Willie O’Ree on to build a program where we could give extra support and attention to players of color who were making their way through the hockey pyramid.”
The Penguins followed the announcement of the Willie O’Ree Academy by sharing their intention to build a seasonal hockey rink at Hunt Armory in Shadyside. It is the first publicly-accessible rink built within city limits in decades. The rink will provide more direct access to children from city neighborhoods, and will include such initiatives as the introductory-level Learn to Play program. “There isn’t a sheet of ice in the city of Pittsburgh. Hunt Armory is strategically connected to a number of neighborhoods,
The items were auctioned off, with the proceeds supporting the Pittsburgh Tigers Organization, a LGBTQ+ — friendly team, and the You Can Play Project, which strives for safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports and was created by Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke and his son, Patrick. It was founded in honor of the late Brendan Burke, Brian’s son and Patrick’s brother. “To the LGBTQ+ community, you are welcome in our building, you are welcome on our teams, you are welcome to come watch our games,” Burke said. “The message is much broader than sports. We don’t care who you go home with, we don’t care what church you go to, we don’t care what color you are. If you can play and help our team win, you can play.”
where we’ll be intentionally connected to public schools,” Acklin said. “We’ll also be connected to kids who may not have two parents to drive them to suburban ice rinks, or may not be able to afford hockey, which is still an expensive game. “We’re looking to break down those barriers of entry, and we’re leading the league in these efforts. We’ve been intentionally involved in trying to change the culture of the game.” That’s what the Penguins did when they teamed up with the Buffalo Sabres to host the first-ever joint Pride Game in April, which aimed to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities and shared stories of inclusion, hope and allyship. For pre-game warmups, players from both teams taped their sticks with rainbow tape, and took the ice wearing special jerseys featuring the Pride Progress Flag.
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