By: Bob Vail - Athletic Communications Assistant

NIAGARA UNIV, N.Y. – When a baseball team wants to raise money for a special cause, the natural idea is for the players to dress in costumes and take to the ice for an intra-squad charity hockey game.
 
That's just what the Niagara baseball program did last week to continue its tradition of giving back to the community as the team held its third-annual charity hockey game.  This year the event was held to support the Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York.
 
The yearly event that features players dressed in costumes has been gaining momentum.  A crowd of 200 people, including representatives from the Miracle League, gathered in Dwyer Arena and were treated to Niagara baseball players attempting to play some puck.  This year the team raised over $300 for the Miracle League.
 
"This game is such a good time," head coach Rob McCoy said.  "We have some guys that can skate and some that can't stand up on skates, but they all try."
 
The charity hockey game was started three years ago and quickly became popular enough for the team to collect donations for a charity of its choice. The choice to support the Miracle League was an easy one.
 
"The players have done a great job getting the word out about the event and we are starting to raise some serious money for some great causes," he continued.  "This year they chose the Miracle League of Grand Island and WNY because of the impact those kids had on them earlier in the fall during their annual Halloween Game."
 
Earlier this year, the baseball team attended the Miracle League's annual Halloween game.  Each child, and a couple NU players, wore a costume.  Jordan Schwartz took the mound to pitch in a game while other NU players helped their partners hit and run the bases.  After the game the guys took part in a pizza party and a pumpkin raffle with the kids.
 
"In seeking a service opportunity for our team the Miracle League of Western New York was a great fit," McCoy said.  "Those kids were and are all about baseball. Our team had a great time trying to make this year's Halloween Game as special as possible, and they had a great time doing it. Hopefully this can turn into a wonderful yearly experience."

Photos from the Miracle League Halloween game can be found by following this link.  For more information about the Miralce League, visit their web site http://miracleleaguewny.org/.