The sound of hockey sticks striking pucks and skates cutting across the ice is not heard in Marshall University’s usual sports atmosphere, but a group of students hope to change that by building a hockey club from the ground up.

The newly formed hockey club is already drawing interest from students, faculty and community members who hope to see the sport return to Huntington.

“Ever since a young age, I knew I wanted to be part of hockey,” said TJ Miller, the captain and club president. “I started skating when I was four, grew up coaching camp, being in camp and being on a travel team. I knew I wanted a part of hockey whether that was being a player, coaching or just something, so I made a hockey team.”

Another club leader said he discovered hockey later in life, but quickly got hooked on the sport.

“I went to my first hockey game when I was about 14 or 15, and I loved it,” said Logan Waller, the club treasurer and right wing. “When he reached out and said he wanted to start a club team, I didn’t hesitate. I think I accepted within the first, like, two minutes.”

For defenseman Jack Smith, who was born in Utah, exposure to winter sports growing up made joining the effort an easy decision.

“I moved out to Kentucky, where, unfortunately in this area, there’s not a whole lot of hockey,” Smith said. “But TJ reached out to me, and I was like, ‘Absolutely, this is what the school needs, it’s what the area needs and it’s a fresh breath of life into a pretty stagnant sports era at Marshall.’”

The club began with social media outreach and word of mouth promotions. Miller posted on Marshall student platforms as well as a variety of social media platforms and connected with interested players online.

“Hockey is a small world, especially in this area,” Smith said, “so once one person gets something going, word gets around fast.”

Within weeks, the group assembled players, a coaching staff, a PR team, a financials team and an advisor. Waller said they now have about 23 members involved, including approximately 14 to 15 players, which is enough for a full roster.

While interest is growing, funding remains the club’s biggest challenge.

“The hardest part is getting the funds to both supply our hours at the rink for practicing and providing equipment,” Waller said. 

A quality hockey stick can cost $150 to $300 while skates can run $200 to $400 or more. Protective equipment adds further costs.

Miller said they are focusing on local sponsorships and community partnerships to offset expenses. 

“Huntington is mainly local companies, lots of small businesses. We want to support them as much as I’m sure they want to support us,” Smith said. “It’s a win-win, in my opinion, for everyone.”

Miller also pointed to programs at nearby universities and minor league teams within driving distance as evidence the sport can succeed locally.

“There’s an opening, and we want to take it,” Smith said. “Other schools have done it, and they have excelled in it. Why not us?”

They hope to join a league in the future and eventually compete against regional rivals.

Short-term goals include securing equipment and ice time, so players can begin practicing. Long-term ambitions include league competition and hosting games in Huntington.

“Starting this club, I wanted to get into a league, and I wanted to show that Marshall is capable of competing with these other schools,” Miller said. “If we have to start small and then get into a league, I’m happy to do it. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Waller believes hockey could add a new level to campus spirit and student engagement.

“You can feel the electricity when there’s a game,” Waller said. “I want hockey to be the strongest bolt of electricity that somebody gets hit with.”

They also envision collaborating with Marshall academic programs as the club develops, creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience.

Smith said the team hopes to work with departments like athletic training and sports medicine to support player safety and injury prevention.

“We would love to further help out the school and some of those students by allowing them to work with us,” Smith said. “That opens up an opportunity for people and people within the school looking to further their professional careers.”

The club members describe their effort as fueled purely by passion and devotion to the sport.

“We do not have NIL deals. We’re not recruited athletes. We’re not on scholarship. We love the game so much that we want to do this and make it happen here,” Smith said.

They believe that level of determination should consistently be reflected in the club as they continue forward.

“We don’t need a lot of people,” Smith said. “We need the right people.”

Ella Hatfield can be contacted at [email protected].