On Oct. 1, the Kansas State In-line Hockey Club played the University of Central Missouri Mules in their first preseason event in Kansas City, beating them 9-3.
“It was an ugly game because it was the first game for both teams, but our guys are in good shape,” Jerry Remsbecker, head coach and computer information specialist for the College of Agriculture, said.
The club is comprised of about 20 K-State students, one of those being Jake Schulte, junior in architectural engineering and team captain.
Schulte said he was able to get to know the members of the team better when they came for their games in St. Louis while he was in high school.
“I came up and visited (the team) one time, and I knew after that I knew I wanted to come here, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” Schulte said.
Remsbecker said the club focuses on being a student-led group, most of the time he even lets the captains decide what they need to work on during practice.
“If I don’t like what is happening, I’ll intervene every once and awhile, but it’s usually up to the guys,” Remsbecker said.
The team is currently still in their preseason, but are excited to really get into this season, Remsbecker said.
The team plays in weekend tournaments that are mostly held out of town, but come February, the team will host home games.
Aside from games and practices, the team also hosts events for fundraising and alumni.
Remsbecker said the team hosts a tailgate and are planning on doing a fundraiser where they pick up trash at the Kansas Speedway after the NASCAR race.
They are also partnered with the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment at Fort Riley, and play an annual floor hockey game against them. In addition to their floor hockey game, the pair will march together in the Homecoming parade, Remsbecker said.
Joseph Chamberlin, senior in kinesiology, said he just wanted a way to be able to play hockey in college, but got so much more out of it.
“The most rewarding thing would be being able to call these guys family,” Chamberlin said. “It’s been a great way to get involved in the community, with all the fundraisers that we do.”
Chamberlin said the friendships last even longer than their college years. The club holds an alumni game every spring, so present and past members can all play together and catch up.
“I’m amazed at how many guys, (who) have played with me 15, 16, 17 years ago, show up with their families and kids and all and the guys come out and play,” Remsbecker said. “The guys who play this game form a bond that lasts a lifetime, from what I can see.”
