University of Alabama Build-A-Rink Campaign

Pelham Civic Complex is the closest accessible ice rink for the University of Alabama’s student-athletes and those in the greater Tuscaloosa area. At fifty-four miles from the heart of campus, the arena is an hour's commute by car. This inaccessibility limits the number of students that can not only attend home games for the Division I and Division II Alabama Frozen Tide but also hinders the number of eager students who wish to try out for and be a part of the team. The time commitment to being a team member is more significant than it has to be due to the hefty commutes to and from practice, which is left to the players’ responsibility. Practicing multiple times a week, players leave campus around 7:00 PM and do not return to campus until almost 1:00 AM. Building a rink on the University’s campus or in the surrounding Tuscaloosa area would allow both hockey teams to practice more frequently. Their practice facility would be less than a five-minute drive for the players, coaches, and staff. It would increase the number of prospective students who wish to participate in the Frozen Tide and even create opportunities for a women's club hockey team, open skates, a club figure skating team, and other significant events. If the city were to build a rink, Tuscaloosa residents could attend public skates, host birthday parties, or even find a youth hockey program. Having an ice rink on campus or even in Tuscaloosa would benefit students, faculty, athletes, and Tuscaloosa residents, raising revenue sales for both the University and the city.

My name is Savannah Prefontaine, and I started this campaign alongside co-founders Maddie Radtke and Natalie Pizza. We dedicate our time and effort to the University’s Division 1 and Division 2 teams and can see both teams’ potential to grow and become more competitive. The three of us all moved to the south from small towns in Alberta, Canada, and the suburbs of Chicago and realized hockey is not at its full potential due to the lack of resources. Building a rink on campus would show the University and city of Tuscaloosa how great the game is and why we work for the program. With your help, we can accomplish our goal of expanding the game of hockey and bringing diversity to the sports at the renowned University of Alabama.

With this GoFundMe, our campaign will put money towards research on building a rink, growing the movement, and funds to put towards the construction of an on-campus rink.