Riverside-NDCL Kick Off Inaugural Alumni Classic Hockey Game In Mentor

Valerie Bosch first thought of the , which pits alumni from opposing schools against each other, almost a year ago.

However, it took almost a year to get the timing right. Initially scheduled for New Years Day, the game -- which Bosch hopes will become an annual event -- the game will be played 5 p.m. this Friday at the . It will cap the that is played at the arena earlier in the day.

Alum from Riverside Schools and Notre Dame Cathedral-Latin will face off on the ice for bragging rights.

Just as important, the event will raise funds and food for .

Guests can either give a $1 donation, a can of pet food or a bag of treats to watch.

Invitations to both and alumni were extended but both schools declined, according to a story on www.cleveland.com.

The event sprang from the mind of Bosch, the certified ice technician at Mentor Civic Arena, during one of her many laps around the rink cleaning the ice.

"You have a lot of time to think," she said, "when you're on the Zamboni."