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Long
Island Sled Hockey, Inc. is an
organization made up of 51
physically and/or mentally
disabled athletes between to
ages of 10 (our two youngest
players) and 21+ (our oldest is
72) who participate in a
wonderful sport called sled
hockey. This sport is described
on our Home and All About Us
pages. We have been competing
since 1995 and were incorporated
as Long Island Sled Hockey, Inc.
on December 31st of 2003.
Our team name "RoughRiders"
was chosen in honor of President
Teddy Roosevelt.
 This
amazing group of young boys and
girls has captured the hearts of
everyone with whom they've come in
contact. Their accomplishments are
many and are listed in our Scrapbook
section. We are the only program of
its kind in the United States as we
enjoin both physically and mentally
challenged athletes on the ice.
Our athletes are afflicted with such
disabilities as cerebral palsy,
muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome,
dystonia, autism, mental
retardation, spina bifida and some
are paralysis victims, have spinal
cord injuries, are amputees and are
Wounded Warriors, having become
disabled serving their country in
Afghanistan and Iraq. THEIR
SUCCESS WE MEASURE IN SMILES, NOT
MEDALS; IN PRIDE, NOT RIBBONS; IN
DETERMINATION AND COURAGE, NOT WINS
AND LOSSES. THEY ARE TRULY AN
AMAZING GROUP OF ATHLETES, COMPRISED
OF A VERY SPECIAL POPULATION.
Unfortunately, we are also the only
program of its kind without a
corporate sponsor to help defray our
expenses. With sleds averaging
$800-$1200 each, uniforms and
protective equipment costing upwards
of $2000 per athlete, ice rental
currently at $825 per 90 minute
session, and the ever-increasing
insurance, travel and tournament
fees, our yearly budget stands over $400,000. ALL monies raised
during the year (see Home page) go
directly to our athletes. No administrative fees or coaches
salaries are paid. We are a New York
State Registered Charity with tax
exempt status and are an approved
not-for-profit,
501(c)(3)organization, registered
with the federal government, also
granted tax exempt status.
OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE IS THE
FACT THAT THE $2,000 PER ATHLETE IN
EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS MENTIONED
ABOVE AND
ALL TRAVEL BILLS - TOURNAMENT ENTRY
FEES, AIRFARE, CHARTER BUS, HOTELS
AND MEALS - ALL ARE COMPLETELY PAID
BY LONG ISLAND SLED HOCKEY.
THERE IS NEVER A COST TO THE ATHLETE
FOR ANY OF THESE EXPENSES, NEVER,
PERIOD.
Your willingness to get involved is
admirable, your assistance is very
much needed. On behalf of our
athletes, coaches, staff and
parents, I thank you for visiting
our site and hope for your support.
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