December 6, 2007

RPI to Conduct Teddy Bear Toss

TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's ice hockey team will present the inaugural Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday, December 16, during the first intermission of the Engineers contest versus the top-ranked University of Miami (Ohio). The event will benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Fans attending the game, which begins at 4pm, are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal, new and unwrapped, to the game for a synchronized "tossing" onto the Houston Field House ice during the first intermission. For those who don't have a teddy bear to bring, Screen-It Limited has graciously provided 200 teddy bears that will be made available to patrons for a small donation. All the stuffed animals and monies will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

"We are thrilled to partner with Toys for Tots and the Marines for such a wonderful cause this holiday season," said Seth Appert, head coach of the men's hockey team. "I would like to thank Screen-It for their support of this event and I encourage our fans to bring a teddy bear to toss on the ice during the first intermission and share in the holiday spirit."

Next Sunday's contest between the #19 Engineers and the top-ranked RedHawks, who open this year's series with a 7pm face-off on December 15, marks the fourth-ever meeting. RPI won the first contest, a 9-1 win in Troy, on December 28, 1984, while the RedHawks evened the series with a 3-2 overtime victory in the opening game of the Ohio Hockey Classic on December 29, 2005.