Anonymous Donor Endows I.M. Hockey

Thanks to a substantial gift, hockey has become Harvard's first endowed Intramural program.

An Harvard alumnus who "just looks back fondly on his days when he was able to play House hockey" provided the endowment earlier this year, requesting that neither his name nor the grant's amount be disclosed, Director of Intramurals and Recreation John E. Wentzell said yesterday.

The donation has made it possible for Harvard's athletic department to purchase a stash of new hockey equipment's or intramural players, according to Wentzell.

"The guy certainly wasn't looking for publicity," Wentzell said, adding that he himself had only sketchy details about the endowment.

Students who do not own equipment must now provide only skates and sticks. Before the endowment, the Intramural program could only afford to provide helmets and mouthguards to all players, Wentzell said.

Intramural team members have high praise for the 25 sets of new equipment and the team shirts acquired with the endowment.

"I think it's great," said Andrew C. Gunderson '97, varsity hockey manager and the captain of Mather House's hockey team. "The equipment is really nice stuff. I'm sure the people who are going to use it will be delighted."

Jeffrey A. Smagula '96, who referees Intramural games, said the endowment "helps a lot of people play hockey who couldn't otherwise play."

Wentzell said he hopes the availability of this equipment will help increase student participation.

Last year, 125 students played Intramural hockey.

He added that a Novice hockey program, which teaches beginners for an hour or two each week, will also have access to the new equipment.

Wentzell said the endowment is the first ever for a Harvard Intramural team. The programs usually get all of their funding from the Harvard Athletic Department.

The Intramural hockey season started last week and runs until March, when the championship match is held.