What Our Friends Say
Campion rink is such an important and special place to our family. My husband Tim played hockey there from mites right up until his recent retirement from Men's League. Our children have learned to skate at Campion, play (and played) hockey there with Hanover Hockey Association, and probably fund the vending machine. In the winter, it truly is a home away from home and we are so lucky to have it as a part of our community.
Kaitlin Draper, HHA Parent
I played my first game of organized ice hockey in mid January, 1984 in an attempt to find relief from grieving over the sudden accidental death of my mother three days earlier. The effect of that somewhat impulsive decision was not only that I found relief from mourning that evening on the ice, but that in the following days and weeks I discovered a marvelous, life-enhancing passion for the sport!
At Campion I developed new and lasting friendships among many men and women who came to the open stick hockey sessions. We often had as much fun in the locker room with our wide ranging conversations as we did on the ice. I experienced a kind of bonding there that I had never known in my professional activity, one without self-promoting egos or other kinds of pretentiousness.
I cannot overstate the very real debt of gratitude that I feel for the opportunities given to me at a critical juncture in my adult life by the coaches and player friends whom I discovered at Campion, and I hope that the Hanover Improvement Society will be able in the future to preserve and perpetuate the same kind of extraordinary welcome that the Rink extended to me and to so many other clumsy, inexperienced players like me. It was for me, as one says, “a game changer” in my life.
Ed Bradley, Open Stick Player
Don’t Assume Every Canadian plays Hockey…
At the age of 50 I found myself in a very difficult situation supporting my husband who had terminal cancer. I had always wanted to learn how to skate and joined the Campion Rinks’ ‘Learn To Play’ Hockey Program. The coach and other players were more than supportive and patient with beginners like myself. Not only was the program super fun and challenging, it offered me a valuable escape from the strains of being a caregiver. I never had the opportunity to play hockey despite living in Canada most of my life (dare I say, there was no such thing as ‘girls hockey’ when I grew up!). To have access to such opportunities is something I believe is important for any community and it adds so much to so many. I feel so lucky being a part of the Campion family and fully support the Capital Campaign.
Tracey C. Tanny, Hockey 101 Player
When I became the Dartmouth hockey coach 25 years ago, one of the first places I took my kids was to the James W. Campion III Rink. They were so excited to have the opportunity to play hockey in a local arena. Campion Rink quickly became a second home for our two sons and daughter as they played for the Hanover and Lebanon youth hockey programs and Hanover High School. From Learn to Play Hockey through high school state playoffs, some of our family’s fondest memories took place there. It was heartwarming to realize that the Upper Valley had worked together three decades ago, when Davis Rink was closed, to fund the building of the Campion Rink. Lynne and I are happy to donate and fully support the Capital Campaign 2022 to help ensure that future generations of Upper Valley families can create their own fun memories on ice!
Bob Gaudet, Retired Dartmouth Hockey Coach
Campion arena has been a destination for my family since 2014 when my kids first learned to skate. Our trips there became more often in 2016 when our son started playing hockey and it almost became our second home in 2017 when our daughter started figure skating with SCAD. There are so many memories being made on that ice. From falls, to high jumps, goals and medals, new levels and new tricks achieved. Campion is a part of our family just as much as we feel like we are part of them!
Fabiola Hammond, SCAD Parent
Campion Rink has been part of our lives since we moved to Hanover in 2014. We started off slowly - skating lessons for my oldest - during which I was pregnant and managing a toddler on the bleachers. Fast forward to this weekend, when all three of our children will have hockey games at Campion. As a parent of multiple players I have found some of my best friends within the walls of the Rink, and my children are lucky enough to be forging lifelong friendships of their own there as well. When we walk through the doors there is always a friend, a coach, or a teammate in sight with a smile and a palpable excitement for what lies ahead. Campion Rink is a huge part of our life in the Upper Valley and we are very grateful for the sense of community it has given us!
Jessica Moschetti, HHA Parent
I spent more hours than I could possibly count in Campion Rink from the age of 5 until moving away from the Upper Valley for college. Those years lacing up my figure skates, often at 6am (or earlier!) before school started, taught me invaluable lessons that I’ve used throughout my life and career.
Since hanging up my skates, I’ve worked for President Obama’s re-election campaign, helped build nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing progressive causes, and now, as the Head of Industry for U.S. Elections at Google’s Washington DC office, advise Democratic campaigns and advocacy groups on how they can reach the voters they need to win.
I don’t know if I would be where I am now without those hours spent on Campion’s hallowed ice. Figure skating taught me discipline, dedication, and perseverance – that it’s not about how many times you fall down, but how many times you get up and try again. And I know I’m not alone – my fellow figure skaters and the hockey players who often took the ice even earlier than us all showed incredible physical and mental grit each and every time they took the ice (not to mention all the parents who got up with us to drive us to practice those freezing cold early mornings!).
Campion Rink has been an integral part of the Upper Valley community for more than three decades. It helped shape the lives and futures of countless young people in our area by providing a safe and comfortable space to hone our skills, test our limits, and learn how to be the very best versions of ourselves on and off the ice.
Now, it needs our help. The rink requires critical renovations to make it more energy efficient, safe, and sustainable for the next generation of youths and adults who rely on it. I hope you’ll join me in helping raise the remaining $1.5 million the Campion Capital Campaign needs to reach its fundraising goal and make sure our beloved Campion can continue to help shape the lives of those who walk through its doors to spin and jump their way into their bright futures.
Sarah Driscoll, SCAD Alumni
