TRAVERSE CITY — Following up on their successful inaugural season, the Bay Reps open varsity girls hockey action this coming Friday while supporting a good cause to help the less fortunate in northern Michigan.
The co-op program, which represents eight schools from the area, kicks off the 2024-25 campaign with a 7 p.m. game this Friday at Centre Ice Arena against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s followed by a 1 p.m. Saturday game against Grosse Pointe South and an 11 a.m. Sunday game against Mid Michigan.
The three-game series is being called the “Father Fred Face Off Weekend” as attendees can gain free entry with a donation of non-perishable food items that equal $5 or more. Needed items include canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce, soup, rice, macaroni and cheese, canned chicken and/or tuna, basic hygiene products and diapers.
The donations will go to help the Father Fred Food Pantry in northern Michigan.
The Bay Reps are also hosting a fundraising event for the team from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Nittolo’s in Lake Leelanau. The event will help with the player assistance fund, essential team needs, reserving ice time, offsetting travel expenses and supporting the coaching staff.
This weekend’s action takes place before the Bay Reps play on the road until their next home game Dec. 13.
Led by head coach Erin Tschantz, the Bay Reps bring together talented student-athletes from Traverse City Central, Traverse City West, Traverse City St. Francis, Elk Rapids, Cadillac, Kalkaska, Suttons Bay and Gaylord St. Mary’s. Last year, the team made a remarkable run to nationals, establishing themselves as a formidable force in high school hockey.
This season, the Bay Reps are proud to partner with the Father Fred Foundation to sponsor a food drive, recognizing the critical need for food assistance in the area. Community members are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at Centre Ice Arena from Nov. 15-18.
“We’re incredibly proud of what this team represents, not just in terms of athletic achievement but as a platform for promoting female student-athletes in hockey,” Tschantz said. “Our partnership with the Father Fred Foundation is a way for us to give back to the community that supports us so passionately.”
The Father Fred Foundation is dedicated to helping those in need in northwestern Michigan through various programs, including a food pantry, financial support and resource referrals.
The Bay Reps’ commitment to excellence on the ice is matched by their dedication to fostering a supportive environment for female athletes. This team serves as a beacon for young women in sports, showcasing the possibilities that exist for female student-athletes in competitive hockey.
With a focus on teamwork, leadership and athletic excellence, the Bay Reps provides a platform for young women to excel and develop both on and off the ice.
For more information about the Bay Reps varsity girls hockey team and its opening weekend, please contact Stacey Feeley at 323-377-3204 or bayrepsgirlshockey@gmail.com.