Newtown and UConn Police to Face-Off in Hockey Fundraiser, January 20

It will be officers from the Newtown Police Department vs. officers with the UConn Police Department in The Bender Classic to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut. The match-up will take place as part of the annual high school hockey game between the Newtown/New Fairfield Nighthawks and the E.O. Smith/Tolland Bucks. The puck will drop at 5:25 PM on Saturday, January 20th, 2024 at UConn’s Toscano Family Ice Forum, located at 523 Jim Calhoun Way in Storrs. Come out to show your support at the event, or you can donate to the cause here: https://benderclassic.godaddysites.com.

The Bender Classic began in the winter of 2020 as a challenge between two hockey dads, Will Chapman, School Resource Officer from Newtown Police Department and Matt Memoli, Newtown High School Athletic Director. Despite many hours spent at hockey rinks supporting their children, neither man had ever skated before. Chapman and Memoli seized the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Connecticut, inviting the community to come to a high school hockey practice where they went head-to-head. The inaugural “Bender Classic”, named after the hockey term which refers to a player with poor skating and overall hockey skills, raised over $5,000. Now in its 4th year, The Bender Classic has moved to UConn’s Toscano Family Ice Forum and has grown to include multiple officers from the Newtown and UConn Police Departments, with a goal of raising over $20,000 in 2024.

“This year will be full of surprises and is sure to be the bravest Bender Classic yet!” said Sgt. Will Chapman, Newtown Police Department. To find out more, please visit www.soct.org, email specialolympicsct@soct.org or call 203-230-1201. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut to support its year-round sports, health, and fitness programs for athletes of all abilities.

About the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicles. A highlight of the program is the annual Torch Run, when officers from police departments and law enforcement agencies across the state participate in a three-day run leading up to the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games in June. The program extends throughout the year, as the officers also organize and host fundraisers that include but are not limited to Tip-a-Cop, Cop-on-Top and Penguin Plunge events.

Platinum Sponsors: The Hometown Foundation, Whelen Engineering, WWE, and The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund
Gold Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets
About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for close to 10,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 190 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Bozzuto's Inc., the Connecticut Elks Association, Enterprise, ESPN, Eversource, The Hometown Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut, Pratt & Whitney, Webster Bank and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Bozzuto's Inc., Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Marcus Communications, N&D Sports, Pepperidge Farm, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service, WORX, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, iHeart Radio Connecticut and NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut.