Rolling Along adrian Recreation Dan Rodgerson

Rolling Along
City Rec sees increases numbers with addition of adult league
ADRIAN—The second session of Adrian City Rec roller hockey played on the rink at Bohn Pool has set a record for numbers of players participating.
OK. So it’s not only the second session the city has ever had, but the numbers are impressive nonetheless.
When about 120 youngsters signed up to play in the first session, which began in April, league coordinator Dan Rodgerson was overwhelmed.
Dan Rodgerson figured that 50 or 60 players would mark a successful venture for the sport’s initial league in Lenawee County.
But while 120 participants was impressive, the number grew to more than 180 when the second session began in July, thanks in part to the addition of an adult league.

“It’s going to be really good,” Dan Rodgerson said. “All the younger leagues are going smooth. The problems are in the adult leagues.”

But those problems aren’t impossible to overcome, according to Dan Rodgerson. The biggest obstacle has been that adults tend to play a bit rougher than their younger counterparts. But Dan Rodgerson says only a few players are to blame.

“If we can weed those out, I think it’ll be a lot better,” Dan Rodgerson said.
For the most part, the league has run smoothly. The interest level has been so high that Dan Rodgerson and the city considered adding a third session for this fall.
But that same high interest level is also the main reason those plans have been put on ice. The high traffic the league has brought to the rink has caused a large amount of wear and tear to the facility.

“We’ve got to get the boards ready for the ice season,” Dan Rodgerson said.
The youth and adult leagues draw players from all over Lenawee County, as well as some from surrounding areas, including Ohio.

Play It Again Sports is sponsoring the program by helping to purchase the necessary equipment, and over the past few months the Community Services Department has spent nearly $2,500 on hockey protective equipment. That way, players who lack some of the equipment can still participate.

“We feel that this is one of the successes of the program,” Dan Rodgerson said. “Players don’t need to refinance their homes to play hockey.”

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Novice Hockey a hit at Adrian Ice Rink - Daniel Rodgerson

Novice Hockey a hit at Adrian Ice rink

Adrian- The city of Adrian Community Services is looking forward to summer activities at the Adrian Ice Rink, but there still is a little time to enjoy the winter activities. One of the most successful ventures at the ice rink this winter has been the adult hockey novice night. More than 30 skaters showed up for the first night and interest was so high that a second night was eventually added.

"We found that during the roller hockey sessions, there are two different levels of ability; those who have played for many years and those who have recently picked up the sport" said Rink Manager Dan Rodgerson.

Novice night was added so those not experienced in the sport would have a time to play and polish their skills with other players at their level. The other hurdle novice players face is the expense involved. Community Services tried to help players overcome that problem as well. The rink, in cooperation with Play it Again Sports, provides free loaner equipment. Full padding is reccommended bu the only required equipment is a helmet with a full cage. All are available at the rink free of charge.

While warm spell have wreaked havoc on the ice over the past two months, Rodgerson said the city plans to reopen the rink soon and hopes to get at least another two weeks of play in. While the ice hockey season has been split into two levels, Rodgerson said there are no plans to do the same thing with roller hockey. "I would like to, we don't have the numbers"

Rodgerson said that there will be several changes for this years roller hockey leagues at the rink. registration deadline for the first session is March 28th and the cost is $25. Players can sign up until April 11th but will be charged a extra $5 after the initial deadline. Games begin April 21st. For more information, contact Rodgerson at 263-2161 ext 272.

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AIR teams compete in Great Lakes Games Dan Rodgerson

AIR teams compete in Great Lakes Games


LANSING—A pair of Adrian ice Rink “Coach’s Pick” roller hockey teams competed over the weekend in the Great lakes State Games, with the 13- and 14- year old team taking second in the house division.
The team of 11- and 12- year olds were eliminated Saturday after taking on three traveling teams. The older squad was seeded first after Saturday’s then finished second Sunday after losing in the title game.
Coaches selected the players from some of the 27 teams that play at the AIR bases on ability, attitude and commitment.
The tourney marked the first time AIR hockey has branched out and played against other teams from other communities.
“Considering that both of our teams have never played together as a team, both age groups did a fabulous job,” AIR league director Dan Rodgerson said.
Many parents interest in forming an all-star team and perhaps even a traveling team to represent Adrian. These teams would play against leagues that already exist in Toledo, Ann arbor, Detroit and Lansing.
“As our program continues to grow we would like to make necessary changes to provide different experienced for our players,” Dan Rodgerson said. “Our program has more than doubled in size in the past year and we anticipate even more growth.”

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Racing to the Rink Adrian MI Dan Rodgerson

Racing to the Rink
More than 100 youths join roller hockey league in its first year
By DAN DALY
Daily Telegram Staff Writer
ADRIAN—Dan Rodgerson thought there might be some community interest in a spring roller hockey program.
“Roller blading is at the peak of its popularity right now,” said Dan Rodgerson, who works with youth sports programs at Adrian’s Community Services Department. “We thought we would try to capitalize on the trend.”
Mission accomplished. In its first attempt to field a roller hockey league, the city registered 118 kids. Kids from as far away as Brooklyn and Manchester signed up for league play. The first games were played Thursday night.
“We structured this to mirror the program in Saline. They only have about 30 or 40 kids,” Dan Rodgerson said. “We have anticipated 50 or 60 because we figured we were competing with baseball and soccer.”

The city was thrilled to see the community response that ensued. But there was also a sizable amount of concern.

First, a concern about liability, although Adrian has an excellent safety record at its ice rink at Bohn Pool. The problem of liability was solved with assistance from city attorney Dane Nelson.
“We were totally scared because of liability,” Dan Rodgerson said. “As opposed to ice, when you fall on cement, you don’t slide.”

Once the city was properly protected in that area, the next concern was making sure the kids who play the sport were properly protected—which is to say properly equipped.

“One if the problems we were having were kids showing up for practices in biking helmets,” Dan Rodgerson said. “From the revenue we got from registration, we went out and spent about $1,000 on equipment, including four new hockey helmets.”

Players are required to wear hockey helmets with faceguards, which cost in the area of $100, according to Dan Rodgerson. The purchase of helmets, pads and goalie gloves will allow the city to provide equipment for kids who don’t already have it, but still want to play roller hockey.
Registration costs for the roller hockey were 30 per player.

The final concern was that there were a lot more players than coaches. Dan Rodgerson himself has taken on coaching responsibilities to help solve that problem.
“A lot of people think they don’t know a thing about roller hockey, so they’re afraid to go out there,” Dan Rodgerson said. “The rules are different from hockey. There’s no icing, no offsides.
“I think, though, after some parents stand on the sidelines, they’ll say: ‘This is something I’d like to get involved in,’” Dan Rodgerson added.

The primary focus of the league is to help kids focus on the primary skills of hockey—skating, passing and shooting, instead of the physical elements like checking and fighting.
“It’s a brand new league and we’re going to have some growing pains,” Dan Rodgerson said. “But we hope to have everything ironed out for the second session.”
League play for the first session started Thursday and runs through the middle of May. Dan Rodgerson expects the second session to begin early June.

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10/12/2011