Fort Dupont Ice Arena currently serves as "home ice" for eight District schools hockey teams, as well as Coach Neal Henderson's Ft. Dupont Cannons. Coach Henderson was recently inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, in part for his foundation of the Cannons, which is the oldest minority hockey club in the country. The new two-rink arena will also provide a home for the ever-growing high school hockey community in the area. Gonzaga College High School, for example, has been a long-time supporter of the FDIA. Students from the Jesuit high school provide weekly mentoring and tutoring to elementary age children in the neighborhood through their "Study Buddies" program. In addition to supporting the rink expansion financially, and as part of its ongoing commitment to the community, Gonzaga also plans to earmark a scholarship fund for accepted students at the school from Ward 7.
"A core part of the Gonzaga student experience is service," says Gonzaga President Rev. Stephen W. Planning, S.J. "Our partnership with Fort Dupont not only gives our hockey team a place to call home, it also gives our players a chance to meaningfully serve kids east of the Anacostia River. That's been the real blessing of this collaboration, and we're looking forward to continuing it for years to come."
FFD is excited to continue this journey with the Anacostia and Greater Washington D.C. area communities and schools.
In Feb. 2019, the National Hockey League and Monumental Sports & Entertainment partnered to raise awareness and commit funds to support FDIA. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, principal partner and CEO of MSE, which owns and operates the Washington Capitals (NHL), and the Leonsis family led this effort by making an initial contribution. The NHL, MSE and Leonsis family each donated $100,000, for a total of $300,000, with the goal of raising the first $500,000 toward the monies needed for the renovation of the rink.
FFD would like to give a special thanks to Bridgestone Americas, Capitol Skating Fund, Casey Trees, the Congressional Hockey Challenge, Gonzaga College High School, The Leonsis Family, Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation, National Hockey League, Walter A. Bloedorn Foundation, and Washington Capitals.