Manhattanville Promotes Autism Awareness
Courtesy of Manhattanville Sports Information
PURCHASE, N.Y. - Autism is one of the least understood disabilities that affects over 1 in 150 children in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Following in the tradition of last year's "Think Pink" night for breast cancer awareness, the Manhattanville women's hockey team will partner with former New York Ranger Ron Greschner and his Foundation to spread the word and raise the public's knowledge of autism by hosting Autism Awareness Night on January 15 at Playland Ice Casino in conjunction with the team's ECAC East Conference matchup against New England College at 7 p.m.
"Autism is one of the fastest growing diseases in our country today," said Head Coach Eric Lang. "For us to play a small part in this and partner with the Greschner Foundation is extremely important. My wife has been working with children with autism for quite some time; it is a crisis very close to our heart. The ultimate goal is to help bring some awareness and raise some money for research. We are asking for our community's support to come out and watch some of the best women's hockey in the country while helping a great cause."
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that impacts communication, behavior and social relationships. The disorder is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S., but there is no medical detection or cure. Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure expected to increase significantly in the coming decade.
"It's an honor and a privilege to support a cause like autism," said senior tri-captain Sarah Fullerton. "We have worked in the past with the New York Raptors, an autistic hockey team in Elmsford, N.Y., and it was a joy to be a part of their organization."
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Ron Greschner Foundation, a nonprofit agency founded in 2001 and dedicated to raising money and awareness for children with autism. The mission of the foundation is to support agencies in areas that support, educate and assist children with autism through the "Autism Speaks" national advocacy organization. Greschner, selected 32nd overall by the New York Rangers in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, played in 982 career NHL games (all with the Rangers) and scored 179 goals with 431 assists for 610 points. Greschner's best offensive season came in 1977-78, when he scored 24 goals and 48 assists for 72 points (all career highs).
"It's going to be great to have former Ranger Ron Greschner back in his old stomping ground of Playland Ice Casino to support a great cause," said senior tri-captain Monique Rafferty. "It's a great opportunity to build awareness for autism; we're hoping to have an even bigger turnout than last year's Breast Cancer game."
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
General admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Playland ticket office beginning at 5:30 p.m. on game day. There will also be an area for donations to the Ron Greschner Foundation in the name of Manhattanville women's hockey or on a private basis inside the rink along with raffles and the ability to participate in the Valiants' "Chuck-a-puck" intermission activity.
The Manhattanville women's hockey team is ranked a season-high seventh in the latest USCHO.com Division III National poll after defeating nationally ranked Elmira College and defending ECAC East Tournament Champion Norwich University early in the season. The Valiant roster comprises student-athletes from seven different states and four different Canadian provinces. In the previous decade, the Valiants made the NCAA Tournament seven times and advanced to the championship game on three occasions (01-02, 02-03 and 07-08), while 11 women's hockey players have been named AHCA All-Americans in the last 10 years. The team has also won seven ECAC East Tournament Championships and five regular-season titles in the decade.
"It's always an honor to support causes such as breast cancer and autism awareness, as so many individuals are affected by these diseases," said senior Alex Findlay. "As a program we feel it's important to support the community and bring together people with a common goal."
Fans that cannot attend the event can watch the game live on their computers via GoValiants.TV, the exclusive home of Manhattanville video broadcasting. The broadcast can be accessed on GoValiants.com and GoValiants.TV with live coverage beginning at approximately 6:45 p.m.
For more information, check out the official website of Manhattanville Athletics, GoValiants.com. Playland Ice Casino is located on 1 Playland Parkway in Rye, N.Y., and is easy accessible from I-95.
