 Bilkent University is offering a unique opportunity to it's students: Ice hockey
lessons! Ice hockey is not a common sport in Turkey. This could be your chance to learn
more about this sport that combines the brutality of boxing, the grace of ballet, the
passion of soccer, the strategies of chess and NFL football, played out on sheet of ice,
expertly polished by a Zamboni.
You may have seen hockey in movies (check out "Slapshot" starring Paul Newman).
If that is the extent of your knowledge, here is a primer. Many countries claim that
hockey started on their soil. There is much debate, but the general belief is that the
sport started in Canada. For generations, kids have been heading out in the dead of
winter, clearing off frozen ponds to play a game. Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway,
Czechoslovakia and other northern nations are also hockey hotbeds. The National Hockey
League has become big business in North America, and attracts players from all over the
world.
Hockey is a physically demanding, full contact sport where wearing protective equipment is
crucial (a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, mouth guard, gloves, padded shorts, shin
pads/chest protector, and of course, the famous "cup"). There are, at most, 5
players on the ice from each team at a time (unless, of course, a player ends up in the
penalty box), and one very heavily padded goaltender. Goals are scored by shooting a
small, black rubber "puck" into the opponent's net using a specially designed
stick. In some countries, the passion for hockey rivals the passion for football in
Turkey.
So, what do you think? Does this sound like the sport for you? If so, sign up for classes
at the Bilkent Sports Center, call ext. 1993 or 1325 or
email spor@bilkent.edu.tr. All
students are welcome to join.
The schedule is as follows.
Women:
Tuesday: 7:10 p.m.-7:50 p.m.
Thursday: 6:30 p.m.-7:10 p.m.
Men:
Monday: 5:50 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 12 a.m.-12:40 a.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-9:10 a.m.
Sera De Vor (AMER/III)
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