Tim Benz: Derek Schooley prepares for Robert Morris hockey's 'championship game' this Sunday

Autumn weekends have become very difficult for Derek Schooley.

The Robert Morris University men’s hockey coach has a void in his life right now. Those days are usually dedicated to coaching his Colonials in Atlantic Hockey contests. In a normal season, his team would have six to eight games under its belt by now and be knee-deep in conference play.

Not this fall, though. That’s because, in May, the men’s and women’s ice hockey programs were eliminated for budgetary reasons by Robert Morris president Dr. Chris Howard and the University’s board of directors.

Ever since then, players, staff, alumni and fans have been attempting to raise funds so that the teams can get reinstated.

This weekend, however, Schooley gets to scratch that coaching itch. And he considers this game to be a big one.

For a different type of reason.

“This is my championship game,” Schooley said this week. “This is it. This is the only thing we have been preparing for. This is the one big event. This is the championship game for our program.”

The men’s and women’s hockey teams — in conjunction with the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation — are staging a charity hockey game at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex this Sunday at 3 p.m. Proceeds from ticket sales and a corresponding auction will go toward efforts to resurrect the programs next year.

Auction items include autographed jerseys and equipment from across the NHL and college hockey and rounds of golf.

Participating players feature ex-Penguins such as Ryan Malone, Colby Armstrong, Phil Bourque and Eric Tangradi. Former Steelers Brett Keisel and Shaun Suisham are skating as well. So are Penguins broadcasters Josh Getzoff and Steve Mears, various other media types, team mascots and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.

They’ll take on a team of Colonials alumni dating back to 2008.

“What RMU had, it’s just a shame to see both of those programs taken away and shut down completely,” Armstrong said during Tuesday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. “I don’t think anyone liked it. I think it shocked a lot of people. It didn’t make any sense in a lot of ways.”

The Colonials programs were cut in the wake of the women winning a conference title and the men claiming a regular-season division crown. Now Schooley is focused on fundraising efforts to resurrect the programs in time for next year, as former players from last year’s team have moved on to new teams through the transfer portal.

“It’s been hard,” Schooley said. “It’s been hard for the players that don’t have an opportunity to play hockey this year. It’s been hard for players at new schools to adjust. It’s been hard for myself on Friday and Saturday nights to watch hockey go on.”

The teams have been told that in order to come back for next year it needs $1.4 million in cash and $1.4 million in pledges for a total of $2.8 million by Dec. 15. To date, the teams feel they are more than halfway to that mark. The hope is to potentially raise another $100,000 through the game ticket sales, sponsorships and the auction.

Many of the participants have gone beyond simply volunteering their time to play. They’ve also taken to social media to spread the word and advance efforts to raise money.

Thanks again to @Bugsy12Malone for speaking about the importance of RMU’s hockey programs and why you want to see them get reinstated! Thanks also to the @RodPedersenShow for talking with him about it and sharing your connection as well.#SaveRMUHockey https://t.co/Gu6TrEboLs https://t.co/XI806MpdIy

— Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation (@PghCHF) October 26, 2021

You know @bkeisel99 from his time with the @steelers - but he has plenty of experience on the ice too! Who wants to see him and @armdog be reunited? Get your tickets to the RMU Celebrity Hockey Faceoff now! November 7 @penguinsrinks! #SaveRMUHockey https://t.co/5vSUnRZbI5 pic.twitter.com/Yk5GpcolI8

— Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation (@PghCHF) October 28, 2021

Training is underway with @PensJG for the RMU Celebrity Faceoff on November 7th at UPMC Lemieux in Cranberry. Needless to say, in a lineup with @armdog, @ETangradi, @Bugsy12Malone, @pbourque29, @Kennedy4848 etc., we’re firmly and proudly on the fourth line. #saveRMUhockey pic.twitter.com/FCLl0YCIOu

— Steve Mears (@MearsyNHL) October 25, 2021

“The (players) and families that were screwed, the history of the program within the city and what it means to hockey, it’s a shame,” Armstrong said. “We’re hoping that our small little game and raising some money get things kick-started in the right direction.”

That direction is hopefully pointed toward a sheet of ice for NCAA games again next season.

You can hear Colby Armstrong’s full interview here.