Union College Athletics

The Garnet Blades is Union College Hockey's 7th Player!

Your support helps to provide a meaningful and competitive experience for our Union hockey student-athletes. Making a gift to support the Garnet Blades is easy: just visit the Garnet Blades donation page and select your level of giving!

Mission Statement
The mission of the Garnet Blades is to promote and support the Union College men's hockey program in an attempt to provide the necessary resources to sustain competitive excellence within ECAC Hockey and the NCAA. At the same time, this club will provide an exciting atmosphere for all its members.

President's Message
Dear Garnet Blades Members and Friends,

While every new year brings its own reasons for excitement, the 2024-25 season will be one filled with anticipation and quite a bit of nostalgia as Union Hockey plays its final season at Messa Rink.

Messa has been the home of Union hockey for 50 years and has played host to some of the greatest moments in Union College history. Some of my favorite sporting memories have taken place on its historic ice and I look forward to making more memories with both current and former players this season.

Seeing the members of the 2014 national championship team reunite in Schenectady over the summer also helped to remind me what a special place Union is and what amazing potential this program has. With the positive strides that Coach Hauge continues to make with the program every year, I know the squad is set for a very successful season and will continue to give us plenty of reasons to cheer for the home team.

While we look forward to seeing our new home at Mohawk Harbor next season, I hope that we all can appreciate the special place that Messa Rink holds in the hearts of the Union hockey community, and enjoy the last season in this storied rink. On behalf of the board, we wish you our very best and hope to see you at Messa this year!

Tim Meigher '75 President, Garnet Blades

NCAA Compliance Regulations   

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Membership Levels

Student Level ($20)
- In Season Coaches Recap (email required)
- Membership rates to all Garnet Blades events

Face-Off Level ($50)
In addition to the benefits included in the STUDENT Level
- Garnet Blades Pin (First Time Members)
- Access to all pre-game Garnet Room Receptions at select home games
- Face-Off Level Union College Hockey Gift*

Blue Line Level ($100)
In addition to the benefits included in the FACE-OFF Level (other than the lower level membership gifts).
- Blue Line Level Union College Hockey Gift*

Achilles Level ($250)
In addition with all included at the BLUE LINE Level (other than the lower level membership gifts).:
- Achilles Level Union College Hockey Gift *

Captains Level ($500)
In addition with all included at the ACHILLES Level (other than the lower level membership gifts).:
- Captains Level Union College Hockey Gift *

Coaches Level ($1,000)
In addition to the benefits included in the CAPTAINS Level (other than the lower level membership gifts).
- Coaches Level Union College Hockey Gift*

Garnet Level ($2,500)
In addition to the benefits included in the COACHES Level (other than the lower level membership gifts).
- Garnet Level Union College Hockey Gift*

Championship Level ($5,000)
In addition to the benefits included in the GARNET Level (other than the lower level membership gifts).
- Union College Hockey Gift Package*

*Gifts are distributed in September/October for enjoyment over the subsequent hockey season.

(A portion of your membership may be tax deductible)

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"In the locker room, we talk about the importance of family and the Garnet Blades are an integral part of our Union family. Their support of our program is instrumental in what we're trying to do, which is bringing another championship back to Union. Our program would not be the same without the support of the Garnet Blades and we are so appreciative of the work that they do to make our program better."
- Head Coach Josh Hauge

"The Union Hockey culture centers around dedication, work ethic, resilience, and passion. Every time we wear our jersey we feel the responsibility to uphold these guiding principles. We recognize the Garnet Blades are an important pillar in offering every player who walks into our locker room the opportunity to pursue their dreams of playing hockey at the Division I level and beyond. The support that you all continue to give this program has been incredible and none of what we do would be possible without you. The connections, opportunities, and friendships that the Garnet Blades have fostered for my teammates and myself are so valuable. For everything that you all do, we sincerely thank you."
- Owen Farris '23

"One of the best parts of being a member of the Union Hockey family is that the same resilience, dedication, commitment, and passion that is held by its players and coaches, is also held by all of you at the Garnet Blades. There is no better feeling than walking into our locker room, getting dressed, and skating out under the Jumbotron, and we realize that none of that would be possible without you. The support that you all have given us, especially over my time at Union, has been incredible and has made my experience at Union better than I could have ever imagined. The connections, opportunities, and friendships that the Garnet Blades have provided for myself and my teammates are so valuable and for that, and everything that you all do, we sincerely thank you."
- Fletcher Fineman '22
 
"The support of the Garnet Blades makes it possible for the Union hockey program to compete and succeed among the top college hockey programs in the NCAA. As well as allowing the team to be competitive at the highest level in the country, the Garnet Blades enables the program to create experiences off the ice that would otherwise not be possible. The team's trip to Belfast last season is something that I will never forget. I am extremely grateful for their support both on and off the ice."
- Cole Maier '19

"Through my time here at Union, we have accomplished some great things but it would not have been possible without the Garnet Blades. They are more than just a booster club, they are family. They truly care about the program as well as the men that have come through it. Their passion has helped Union hockey get to where it is today. I am extremely proud to have been able to represent Union and I am incredibly thankful for everything they have done for me."
- Mike Vecchione '17

"My four years as a member of the Union College hockey team [was] the most incredible and stimulating experience of my life. A major reason for my great experience can be attributed to the hard work of the Garnet Blades. During my time at Union, the Garnet Blades fundraising and generosity have resulted in the construction of a new team locker room and weight room, a state-of-the-art video editing system, improved travel for the team, and allowed me the opportunity to form relationships with our fans and alumni. This hard work has continually improved the program, providing the players and coaching staff with the best opportunity to succeed. It is the work and dedication of this group that the Union players will never forget, and we look forward to working with them as future members of the Garnet Blades."
- Jordan Webb '05

"Having the opportunity to be part of Union College Hockey was a high point of my college experience and was responsible for many fond memories. Upon returning to Union after 13 years, I was inspired by the enthusiasm of current players, the dedication of the coaching staff, and the efforts of the Garnet Blades organization and members to carry the tradition. Many of us take for granted the friendships we make along the way, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to reunite with teammates, friends and family with whom I have shared such special experiences."
- Mark Haley '80

"Union hockey afforded me the ability to grow as a hockey player, but more importantly, as a person. Coach always said the experience of playing college hockey is about building and sustaining memories and friendships. I have in my possession, a lifetime of memories, and many lifelong friendships. I owe all of that to Union College Hockey."
- Nathan Gillies '03

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2022-23 Garnet Blades Officers

Tim Meigher '75
President
Executive Committee Member

Dalton Menhall '92
Second Vice President
Past President
Treasurer
Executive Committee Member

John Almstead
Secretary
Parent Liaison
Executive Committee Member

Jim McLaughlin '93
Athletic Director
Advisory Board Member

Josh Hauge
Head Coach
Advisory Board Member

Scott Boyd '96
Past President
Advisory Board Member

Chris Sears '96
Advisory Board Member

Tyler Hynes '18
Hockey Alumni Fundraising Committee

Nolan Julseth-White '12
Hockey Alumni Fundraising Committee

Josh Kosack '22
Hockey Alumni Fundraising Committee

Brock Matheson '11
Hockey Alumni Fundraising Committee