Special Weekend At SUNY Oswego Planned For Romney Farewell

OSWEGO, NY - After more than 40 years hosting thousands of cheering students, hundreds of exciting hockey contests, several All-Americans and at least one Olympian, SUNY Oswego's Golden Romney Field House will end its farewell tour within weeks.

But not before a big sendoff on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4, featuring a game with archrival Plattsburgh, an alumni contest and the home regular-season against Potsdam.

While Oswego's nationally ranked hockey team is slated to skate next fall in a state-of-the-art arena at the new Campus Center, the character and history of Romney has made the former airplane hangar, by all accounts, a tough place for visitors but a cozy oasis for fans of the home team.

When Oswego State Hall of Famer Gardner "Tully" Wells joined the athletic department in 1959, he envisioned bring a hockey program to the lakeside campus. He reportedly found interest but needed a building. Accounts say he found an unused airplane hangar and had the structure disassembled, shipped by the truckload, reassembled and renovated.

(note by Russ Padden - this is actually a drill hall from the old Sampson Air Force Base which had been Sampson Naval Base during WWII)

It opened around 1963 as the first ice rink in the SUNY system, named for Golden Romney, a longtime chair of physical education at the college. In addition to hockey games, it has also hosted SUNY Oswego's May Commencement ceremonies since 1964.

After two years as a club sport, the Laker ice hockey team began intercollegiate play in the 1966-67 season, compiling a 15-4-1 record. Now in its 39th season, the program has only had seven losing seasons.

Oswego's 14 All-American mentions include Pete Sears, a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic hockey team who still coaches Laker goalies.

Romney Field House has hosted SUNY Athletic Conference tournament championship games as well as National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament contests. Oswego has gone to the national championship game twice (on the road), coming away just short in 1991 and 2003.

This year's squad, currently ranked among the top 10 in the country, has its eyes on glory despite its relative youth.

One of college hockey's most storied rivalries will see the Lakers host Plattsburgh on Friday, Feb. 3. The next night's game against Potsdam will mark the building's regular-season finale and will recognize both this year's seniors and the many former players expected to attend. Some of these hockey alumni will take part in a special, admission-free game in Romney at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

Both of the weekend SUNYAC tilts will begin at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Due to high anticipated demand, special pre-sale ticketing procedures will take place through Tyler box office.

Tickets have gone briskly, but passes not picked up from a block guaranteed to students are available for general purchase starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. Tickets cost $4 for the general public, $3 for faculty and staff, $1 for students and free for SUNY Oswego students. There is a purchase limit of five per person. It is highly recommended that everyone hoping to see either game pick up tickets in advance.

For more ticket information, contact Tyler box office at 312-2141 or tickets@oswego.edu.

With the Lakers battling for a top seed in the SUNYAC tournament, and the home games that would come with it, fans hope that Romney still has a few memories remaining even after the farewell weekend.