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Your donations change lives! Thank you!
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Chance to win a '23-'24 Team signed 100th Anniversary Jersey!
Officer Erica Goulet from UConn PD was the lucky winner of the Bruins Jersey! Thanks, Bruins!
Who We Are
The Bender Classic, Est. 2020
The Bender Classic is a hockey event with it's foundation deeply rooted in one of the Hallmarks of the Special Olympics; being, "Brave in the Attempt."
Special Olympics Athletes are ambassadors of joy, pride, confidence, and sportsmanship, and they set the example for those of us who want to eliminate the excuses that get in the way of us trying new things or challenging ourselves beyond our comfort zone.
Our History
It started in 2020 with two Dads who were getting their young kids involved in hockey and decided to lace up skates alongside them. Sergeant Will Chapman from the Newtown Police Department, and Athletic Director Matt Memoli from Newtown High School. They built rinks in their backyards and started to [attempt to] jump on the ice with their kids. The biggest hurdle was the fact that neither of them had ever skated before. Both are big fans of Special Olympics and Unified Sports, and have long admired the athletes who consistently live up to one of the hallmarks of the organization, being "Brave in the Attempt." Newtown/New Fairfield Nighthawk Hockey head coach Paul Esposito laid out a challenge to Chapman and Memoli: They should come to a High School hockey practice and face each other one-on-one. With only weeks to prepare and EXTREMELY limited skating ability, they had to kick the bravery up a notch and they invited the community to join them by using the event to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics. With generous participation from Hoser Hockey (a company founded by one of Esposito's former players) and Danbury Ice Arena, the "Bender Classic '' was born. The event was a huge success in its first year, raising over $5,000 for Special Olympics. Both competitors were able to...mostly...keep their feet under them, but Chapman outscored Memoli and became the event's inaugural Champion.
The following year, Sergeant Chapman and Newtown Officer Matt Hayes faced off against each other in-between periods at a game between Newtown/New Fairfield, and Chapman's Alma Mater, E.O. Smith High School, coached by none other than Chapman's former high school guidance counselor, John Hodgson. It was a very close match, but Chapman was able to retain the Bender Classic trophy, and another $5,000 was raised.
It was easily decided that the spirit and generosity that the E.O. Smith/Tolland players, parents, and staff brought had to be a permanent fixture in the event. E.O. Smith High School bought in fully, and agreed to host the 2023 Bender Classic on their home ice, the Mark Edward Frietas Ice Forum at the University of Connecticut. The UConn Police Department stepped up to defend their house on behalf of E.O. Smith/Tolland, so now Chapman, Hayes, and New addition Officer Pete Wlasuk defended their title together from a fierce team of Huskies made up of Ofc. Dean Vertefeuille, Ofc. Rene Rivera, and Ofc. Bill Funk. With the enthusiastic support of the Newtown, E.O. Smith, and UConn communities, we raised over $11,000 and counting!
The support grows, the stages get bigger, and the donations keep rolling in. There is no telling what the future holds for the Bender Classic, but we know that as long as we continue to be Brave in the Attempt, it will always be a success for our Special Olympics Athletes!
Every kid deserves the opportunity to play sports
Brave in the Attempt
Hockey is for Everyone
Hockey is for Everyone
The Law Enforcment Torch Run is an over 40-year old tradition. Every year, Officers from around the world run with the Special Olympics torch and hold events to raise funds and awareness so that special athletes in our local communities can have opportunities to experience the joy, community, and health benefits of sports!
Hockey is for Everyone
Hockey is for Everyone
Hockey is for Everyone
USA Hockey helps provide opportunities nationwide for people of all ages and skill levels to participate in Hockey.
They are currently involved in multiple campaigns to make the sport more accessible and affordable for everyone.