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Groundbreaking Ceremony Video
BEVERLY, Mass., July 29, 2014 – Endicott College, the Endicott Athletics and Recreation Department, and Celebrity Marketing, Inc. is proud to announce that the College’s new ice hockey arena will be named for hockey legend and North Shore community activist Ray Bourque. The Raymond J. Bourque Ice Arena will house the NCAA Division III men’s and women’s Gulls ice hockey programs as well as serve as home to Beverly Youth Hockey, Beverly High School Hockey, and other local sports activities.
A resident of the North Shore of Boston for over 30 years, Bourque has exemplified determination, leadership, and consistency; his dedication to the game he loves, his family, friends, fans, charities, and New England has made him a figurehead of community improvement and an inspiration to many.
“When we began speaking with Ray about the naming of the arena in his honor, our thought was that we wanted to inspire our youth, our students, and our community to emulate the qualities that he has as an athlete and as a man,” said President Dr. Richard E. Wylie. “In true Bourque fashion, he was most appreciative about being honored but far more interested about what impact this would have on the kids and the community.”
Bourque is a 22-year veteran of the National Hockey League (NHL), which includes 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins. He was captain of the team for 15 years and, during that time, became the league’s all-time leader for goals, assists, and points by a defenseman. In his retirement years, Ray has used his standing as one of Boston’s most beloved and historic sports figures to give back to the community through several local charities. He is on the Board of Directors of Celebrities for Charity, an organization dedicated to helping celebrities fulfill their philanthropic aspirations and increasing the access charities have those popular figures.
“This arena will affect the lives of many individuals, starting with the youth of the North Shore of Boston, which is the primary motivating factor for me to not only accept the honor of having the arena named after me but to actively assist in the construction fundraising, the funding of youth scholarships, and the educating of our youth with regards to the value of teamwork, leadership, dedication, passion, and a strong sense of community,” said Bourque.
The Raymond J. Bourque Ice Arena will not only give Endicott’s men’s and women’s NCAA Division III ice hockey programs a state-of-the-art facility in which to practice and compete, it will also create opportunities for athletes in the North Shore community, starting with the members of Beverly Youth Hockey and Beverly High School Hockey.
“We are thrilled that this partnership will give Beverly Youth Hockey, Beverly High School Hockey, and other sporting activities a local home to build everlasting friendships, relationships, and memories,” said Wylie. “Both Ray and Endicott have also committed to do everything possible not to leave anyone behind due to financial strains -- we will be awarding annual need-based scholarships to the local youth that would otherwise not be able to afford participation in youth hockey programs or hockey camps.”
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| Artist rendering of the Raymond J. Bourque Arena |
On July 29, integral members of the conception, design, and development process for the Raymond J. Bourque Ice Arena, including Ray himself, came together for a special ground-breaking ceremony at the arena’s construction site. Expected to open prior to the start of the 2015-16 academic year, this new arena is just the latest in a succession of new buildings and construction projects dedicated to elevate the experience of every Endicott student and promote opportunities for our community, faculty, and staff.
"Since 2008 we've worked hand-in-hand with President Wylie and the College's Board of Trustees on capital improvements to the Endicott campus,” states Lee Dellicker, president of Windover Construction, the company which is constructing the facility. “The arena project is another example of their commitment to not only their students, but to the surrounding community. We are honored to be able to help bring the college's vision to fruition.”
In addition to providing home ice for a variety of organizations, the arena will benefit educational programs in the community through fundraising and development initiatives in areas such as sports education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and philanthropy. These programs will teach tenants of teamwork, leadership and volunteerism to both Endicott College students and North Shore youth as part of an ongoing dedication to the improvement of the community at large.
Based on the enthusiasm and praise for the development of the Raymond J. Bourque Ice Arena on Endicott’s Beverly campus, it is obvious that this facility will promote continued commitment and excellence for Endicott’s athletics programs and create a North Shore landmark that will embrace its surrounding communities.
“Certainly without the opportunity to play hockey I would not have the life I’ve created for myself or my family,” said Bourque. “I hope to help make the same difference in the lives of many North Shore and Endicott College kids. You don’t need to love the game of hockey to understand the value of what this arena will do for this community. It will change lives forever.”
About Endicott College
Located in Beverly, Massachusetts on 235 acres of oceanfront property, Endicott College offers doctorate, master’s and bachelor degree programs in the professional and liberal arts. Founded in 1939, Endicott provides an education built upon a combination of theory and practice, which is tested through internships and work experience. Studying at the Beverly campus, regionally, and internationally are approximately 2,400 undergraduate and more than 2,600 adult and graduate students. For more information, visit www.endicott.edu.
About Celebrity Marketing Inc.
Celebrity Marketing Inc. (CMI) is a premier sports and entertainment marketing firm established by former Bruins Goaltender Cleon Daskalakis. With over 20 years of experience, CMI has represented the interests of both entertainers and hall of fame athletes, as well as the interests of numerous regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized corporations and their brands. In addition to this, CMI’s charitable arm, the Celebrities for Charity Foundation (CFC), which was cofounded by Mr. Daskalakis and hockey legend Ray Bourque in 1997, boasts hundreds celebrity relationships that include Hollywood mega stars and nationally and internationally recognized sports legends. The Foundation, primarily through its proprietary online raffle program, has supported thousands of charities and has donated over $15 million to celebrity based foundations.
About Windover Construction
Windover creates state of the art commercial and institutional spaces, sophisticated luxury homes, and urban multi-family communities, all executed with a passion for attention to detail. The winner of numerous industry awards, the firm’s skilled team of professionals possesses a deep understanding of the construction process and collaborates with clients to provide an exceptional experience from inception of their project to completion. The firm is headquartered in Manchester, Massachusetts, and works with clients throughout New England.
