About Long Island Sled Hockey
Long Island Sled Hockey, Inc. is an organization made up of 51 physically and/or mentally disabled athletes between to ages of 10 (our two youngest players) and 21+ (our oldest is 72) who participate in a wonderful sport called sled hockey. This sport is described on our Home and All About Us pages. We have been competing since 1995 and were incorporated as Long Island Sled Hockey, Inc. on December 31st of 2003. Our team name "RoughRiders" was chosen in honor of President Teddy Roosevelt.
This amazing group of young boys and girls has captured the hearts of everyone with whom they've come in contact. Their accomplishments are many and are listed in our Scrapbook section. We are the only program of its kind in the United States as we enjoin both physically and mentally challenged athletes on the ice. Our athletes are afflicted with such disabilities as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, dystonia, autism, mental retardation, spina bifida and some are paralysis victims, have spinal cord injuries, are amputees and are Wounded Warriors, having become disabled serving their country in Afghanistan and Iraq. THEIR SUCCESS WE MEASURE IN SMILES, NOT MEDALS; IN PRIDE, NOT RIBBONS; IN DETERMINATION AND COURAGE, NOT WINS AND LOSSES. THEY ARE TRULY AN AMAZING GROUP OF ATHLETES, COMPRISED OF A VERY SPECIAL POPULATION.
Unfortunately, we are also the only program of its kind without a corporate sponsor to help defray our expenses. With sleds averaging $800-$1200 each, uniforms and protective equipment costing upwards of $2000 per athlete, ice rental currently at $825 per 90 minute session, and the ever-increasing insurance, travel and tournament fees, our yearly budget stands over $400,000. ALL monies raised during the year (see Home page) go directly to our athletes. No administrative fees or coaches salaries are paid. We are a New York State Registered Charity with tax exempt status and are an approved not-for-profit, 501(c)(3)organization, registered with the federal government, also granted tax exempt status.
OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE IS THE FACT THAT THE $2,000 PER ATHLETE IN EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS MENTIONED ABOVE AND ALL TRAVEL BILLS - TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES, AIRFARE, CHARTER BUS, HOTELS AND MEALS - ALL ARE COMPLETELY PAID BY LONG ISLAND SLED HOCKEY. THERE IS NEVER A COST TO THE ATHLETE FOR ANY OF THESE EXPENSES, NEVER, PERIOD.
As the President of Long Island Rough Riders Sled Hockey team, I am always ready, willing, and able to conversate or meet-up to discuss any matters benefitting the team.
Thank you,
Frank Martin
631-848-3751
Frankiefish2000@aol.com