Bob Banach, President - USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program

PondRocket is honored to have the opportunity to once again partner with the USA Warriors Ice   Hockey Program. Details of an awareness and fundraising effort to assist the Warriors will be launched on October 11. To educate us on this inspiring organization, I was able to interview the president of the USA Warriors, Bob Banach.

Please take a few minutes to check out the interview from February, 2010 and see what this unique group of people is all about.

PondRocket:   Bob, can you tell us your role within the program and how you got involved?

Bob Banach:   I am the President of the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program.  USA Hockey approached me and asked how they could get more involved in military outreach.  Since I retired from the military in 2003 and live relatively close to Walter-Reed Army Medial Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital I was able to make contacts within these hospitals and get the program off and running. 

I am also the Southeastern District Representative for Disabled Hockey.  I am responsible for facilitating the start up of disabled hockey programs within my district.  The Southeastern District covers 11 states from Maryland down to Florida and up to Alabama.  I am also the coach of the NOVA Cool Cats, a team of developmentally disabled players in Northern Virginia.  www.novacoolcats.org

PR:   Bob, what are the goals of the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program and how this program came to exist ?

BB:   The USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program was established to provide Ice Hockey to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have been wounded in action while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

 The USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program has been organized to operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, for those wounded in defense of the United States in conjunction with the USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Section.  The Program’s mission is to organize and administer an ice hockey program that provides a recreational, therapeutic experience and education.  Some of the programs purposes include, but are not limited to:

1. Grow the game of hockey by encouraging the formation of ‘Warrior Hockey Programs’ locally and nationally and provide opportunities for participation in USA Hockey programs;

2. To educate, train, motivate and encourage, individuals who have physical disabilities incurred during service to the United States, to participate in the sport of ice hockey in an environment that is adapted to the level of ability of the participating athletes;

3. To integrate people with disabilities with people without disabilities in order to promote awareness of challenges and to encourage teambuilding;

4. To use the game of hockey to assist individuals with disabilities in developing self-confidence, adjusting to their new lifestyle, rehabilitation, self-reliance, concentration, and to assist in helping participants back into mainstream lifestyles they were accustomed to prior to their disability, that will help the individual be more successful both within and outside a hockey environment;

5. To educate and encourage the general public about disability sports and USA Warriors Ice Hockey in particular and to promote societal awareness of the sacrifices participants made in defense of our nation.

PR:   How many players are currently in the program?

BB:   Currently we have 10 sled players and 15 standing amputee players.

PR:  How can someone become a member of the program?

BB:   To be a member go to www.usawarriors.goalline.ca/  for contact information.

PR:   Where do these players in this program play and are there any international competitions for the athletes?

BB:   Currently the Warriors practice at the Gardens Icehouse in Laurel, Maryland.  The owner of the rink has graciously donated ice time for the program.  In April the rink is hosting the USA Hockey Disabled Festival which includes all four disciplines of disabled hockey.  These disciplines are special hockey, sled hockey, amputee hockey, and deaf and hard of hearing hockey.  The Warriors will be playing the National Amputee team during the festival. 

We are in the process of coordinating games in the local area to bring awareness to the program.  Currently we do not have any international competitions scheduled. 

PR:   Are there similar programs like the USA Warriors in other states?

BB:   One of our goals is to have programs across the country.  Once the wounded soldiers leave this area and return to their home, we will assist them in getting into a program or starting a program of their own.  Currently we are in the start up phase of a program in Minnesota. 

 PR:   Bob, what kind of assistance does a program like this need and how can folks get involved?

 BB:   The program can always use volunteers to assist on or off the ice or get involved in the various committees that we have established to keep this program running.  Of course donations are greatly appreciated.  All our coaches and assistants volunteer their time.  There are no paid positions in this program. All funds are used for the players!

Contact information can be found at http://www.usawarriors.goalline.ca

PondRocket thanks Bob, the volunteers and of course the players of the USA Warriors Program. We cannot thank you for your service.