A big thanks to all our recent Donors!
Benders past and present
#7 Matt Memoli.
2021
Matt Memoli is the athletic director at Newtown High School and is a long-time supporter of Special Olympics and Unified Sports. He was one of the creators and participants in the first ever Bender Classic.
#98 Sgt. Will Chapman.
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Sgt. Chapman is a Newtown Police Officer and is the original Bender Classic Champion, beating AD Memoli in the first ever Bender Classic.
#99 Ofc. Matt Hayes.
2022, 2023, 2024
Officer Hayes is a Newtown Police Officer and the second longest running Bender Classic Participant. He is also the current all-time scoring leader since the introduction of the current Newtown vs. UConn format.
#18 Ofc. Pete Wlasuk.
2023, 2024
Ofc. Wlasuk is a Newtown Police Officer and joined the Bender Classic in 2023 to help bring home the trophy to Newtown.
#40 Ofc. Bill Funk.
2023
Officer Funk, formerly of UConn PD, was one of the first UConn officers to participate.
#50 Ofc. Dean Vertefeuille.
2023, 2024
Officer Vertefeuille is a UConn Police Officer and was named Captain of the original UConn Bender squad in 2023.
#42 Ofc. Rene Rivera.
2023, 2024
Officer Rivera is a UConn Police Officer and was one of the original 3 UConn Benders.
#22 Ofc. Barry Hyvarinen.
2024
Officer Hyvarinen is a Newtown Police Officer and also a former Team USA U-18 Ball Hockey coach.
#10 Ofc. Erica Goulet.
2024
Officer Goulet was named by fans as the "Star" of the 2024 UConn squad.
#04 Capt. Doug Gamache.
2024
Captain Gamache is no stranger to the UConn ice, playing varsity High School Hockey at E.O. Smith (Class of '98).
#55 Sgt. Justin Cheney (K9 Tildy).
2024
Sgt. Cheney has been a supporter since 2023, but took to the ice for the first time in 2024.