Vote for Alumni Arena in Light Like the Pros Contest

01/23/2018 

SUNY Cortland’s Park Center Alumni Arena is in the running for a makeover, but it needs your help.

The campus rink was one of 33 from around the country to be selected as a quarterfinalist for the Light Like the Pros contest sponsored by the American Hockey League and power management company Eaton. One community rink in an AHL market will win the top prize: a free LED sports lighting system valued at more than $50,000.

Fans may vote online once each day from the same computer and same email address until Feb. 2 at LightLikeThePros.com.

“LED lights will have an immediate impact on the atmosphere of Alumni Arena for all of those who use the facility,” said Todd Malone, assistant sport facilities manager and Alumni Arena manager. “Changing to LED lights will minimize energy costs, as LED lights are said to save up to almost 75 percent in comparison to other lighting options. On top of savings, LED lights will make the rink a better and safer environment to not only play hockey but also to be a spectator at any event occurring inside Alumni Arena. These events include everything from Freshman Convocation, Honors Convocation all the way through Commencement. A goal of ours is that the Alumni Arena will be brighter, have a more welcoming feel, will be energy and cost efficient, and will make the rink experience better for all participants, spectators, and users.”  

Rink owners, coaches, players, parents and fans nominated their favorite local rinks at the start of the 2017-18 AHL season. A panel of judges selected the group of quarterfinalists. The top 10 in online voting will move on to the semifinals in February and the winner will be announced in March after additional online voting.

The Binghamton Devils are SUNY Cortland’s AHL partner.

When Alumni Ice Arena opened in 1972, it was the only rink in the Cortland area. It hosts local youth teams, high school teams and SUNY Cortland’s men’s and women’s varsity teams as well as physical education classes.

For more information on open skate times and rates, visit the Alumni Arena page online.

“Numerous AHL teams have benefited from Eaton’s Ephesus LED lighting and control systems in their arenas, so it’s fitting that we are able to provide one deserving community skating rink in an AHL market with the same great lighting that our players and fans experience at many AHL arenas,” said Christos Nikolis, executive vice president of marketing and business development for the AHL. “We commend all of the rinks that were nominated. It was not an easy job narrowing the field to these quarterfinalists.”