Neal Henderson's Fort Dupont Cannons Awarded Capital Impact Fund Grant

This article is part two of a five-part series highlighting the inaugural Capital Impact Fund beneficiaries. The organizations were selected by the Capitals based on their missions and impact toward diversity in hockey, as well as on their plans to use the funding to further advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the sport. If you know of or are affiliated with an organization that you think would be a good fit for a Capital Impact Fund Grant, read more and apply at www.WashCaps.com/CIF-grant .
The year is 1976. Aerospace engineer and former semi-professional hockey player Neal Henderson, now lovingly referred to as "Coach Neal," is doing what he always does - playing hockey in his driveway with his son and the neighborhood children.
After years of playing out on the street, and through the enthusiastic insistence of his son and his friends, Henderson made the decision to form his own hockey program. Using money that he had saved, Henderson and his former high school classmate Betty Dean co-founded the Fort Dupont Cannons in 1978.

Since then, the Fort Dupont Cannons Ice Hockey Club has flourished, impacting the lives of more than 1,500 D.C.-area children.
To put into perspective just how long the Cannons have existed, consider that in 1978 Jimmy Carter was President, the NHL had just 17 teams and Steve Jobs had just founded the Apple Corporation.
While the Cannons did not begin as a strictly minority hockey program, the location of the Fort Dupont Ice Rink in Southeast D.C. - a predominately African-American neighborhood - meant that many of the players were Black. Rather than focusing solely on diversifying the game, however, Henderson has placed a special emphasis on providing kids the opportunity to learn the sport and develop life skills that will serve them not just on the ice, but also in their daily lives.
"Hockey gives you the lumps and bumps of life," Coach Neal explained. "If you can conquer those with honor, respect and dignity, you can conquer anything else in life."

Over the past four decades, Coach Neal and his second-in-command, Ms. Betty Dean, have led the Cannons players in a disciplined and earnest, yet nurturing environment. For both Henderson and Dean, one area of importance since day one has been the education of the young players. In fact, playing for the Cannons requires each player to maintain a "C" average in order to practice. For their efforts, Henderson and Dean take great pride in the exceptional graduation rate of its players, typically well-above the district's average.
The young boys and girls who grew up learning the game and developing their skills under the tutelage of Coach Neal have gone on to succeed in nearly every field imaginable. Whether lawyers, doctors, police officers or even fighter pilots, Coach Neal revels in the accomplishments of his "kids."
Even with the many remarkable achievements of the Cannons alum, scores of former players remain committed to the continued prosperity of the program, giving back to the man and the team that has meant so much to them. Many former Cannons, including Ralph Featherstone, have returned the Cannons to share their knowledge and passion with the next generation of players.

To one Cannons' alum, Coach Neal's guidance and wisdom was instrumental in his decision to pursue coaching hockey as a career.
A native of Northwest D.C., Duante' Abercrombie first began skating at Fort Dupont at a young age. Recognizing the dangers that existed in their community, Abercrombie's mother decided early on to enroll her two sons in as many activities as possible - ranging from violin lessons to swimming and ultimately to ice skating.
According to Abercrombie, he was around four or five years old when he observed a Cannons practice after finishing an ice-skating lesson at Fort Dupont. Captivated by the activity on the ice, Abercrombie remembers saying to his mother, "Mom, I want to try that." They immediately signed young Duante' up for the Cannons Learn to Play program, and the rest is history.

As the first in his family to play hockey, Abercrombie and his mother initially had very little knowledge of even the basics of hockey. However, Coach Neal's calm and reassuring demeanor quickly alleviated any apprehension.
"Bring a cup and a big bag, that's it. Everything else will be taken care of," Abercrombie remembers Coach Neal telling them before the first practice.
Abercrombie, with undeniable talent and inherent knowledge of the game, quickly rose through the ranks at Fort Dupont. Hoping to further develop his game, Abercrombie joined a local travel hockey program and enrolled in Gonzaga College High School in Northeast D.C. Throughout high school, Duante' played on three separate teams, skating upwards of three times a day.
Despite the many commitments that his development required, Abercrombie made a promise to himself - he would never miss a practice or a game for the Cannons. Even as a teenager, he astutely understood what having a player of his caliber not only meant for his team, but also for the younger players who looked up to him.

Being around his friends on the Cannons and Coach Neal also provided him with a certain sense of comfort, something he valued greatly.
"There's something therapeutic about being in a locker room with people that look like you twice a week," Abercrombie recollected.
After graduating from Gonzaga Abercrombie remained involved at Fort Dupont as a volunteer while also training to continue his own career. Ultimately, Abercrombie played three seasons of professional hockey in New Zealand, Pittsburgh and Brewster (NY).
Although his playing career eventually came to an end, Abercrombie's passion for the game remained. Once again, he looked towards his mentor Coach Neal for advice and guidance.
"Coach Neal gave me my first whistle," Abercrombie said. "He is the reason that I'm able to live the life that I am, that I'm the coach I am, that I'm the man that I am."

Much like he had as a player, Abercrombie ascended the coaching ranks in short order through hard work and dedication to his craft. For more than a decade, Coach Abercrombie has helped lead numerous high school and travel programs, including stints at his alma mater Gonzaga, Georgetown Prep and the Washington Little Caps. Abercrombie has also bolstered his resume by serving as a skills development coach under former NHL player Graeme Townshend, who along with Coach Neal, he considers his greatest mentor.
Today, Abercrombie is an assistant coach for the Stevenson University men's hockey team and serves as the director of player achievement for the Tier 1 Washington Little Caps. With his appointment as a coach at Stevenson, Coach Abercrombie is now one of four black coaches currently on an NCAA coaching staff.
The first call Abercrombie made when he got the news he was hired at Stevenson? Coach Neal.
"I didn't have a close relationship with my father growing up," Abercrombie said. "Aside from my grandfather, Coach Neal has been a father to me."
During their conversation, Abercrombie had a meaningful realization.
"It was a moment of, 'Hey Coach, we're making it; not I'm making it, but we're making it,'" Abercrombie fondly remembered. "He showed me how to be a Black man in Washington, D.C. succeeding in hockey."
Even with his many successes as a coach, Abercrombie remains committed to his beloved Cannons and understands the important role he can play in the program's continued success. Consequently, Coach Duante' feels a great sense of responsibility towards the Cannons' young players.
"I just want to be half the man Coach Neal was to me," Abercrombie said. "I need to be sure that I'm living up to the legend of not only Coach Neal, but everyone who's worked so hard to get hockey and diversity to where it is now."

Young kids like those on the Cannons are constantly observing their parents, teachers and coaches, eager to emulate those they admire. For that reason, Abercrombie is cognizant of the influence he can have on his players, especially in a sport where representation is so important.
"The players can see someone like Neal Henderson or someone like myself and they can think, 'You know what? They came from the same neighborhood as I did, maybe I can accomplish it too,'" Abercrombie points out.
A cornerstone of the Cannons program since its inception has been to provide players, many of whom come from lower-income neighborhoods, an affordable way to play hockey. This has included subsidizing ice time fees and equipment costs.

This does not mean that the players haven't had to earn their opportunity, however. Another key lesson Coach Neal has worked to instill in his players is the reality that they must work hard for the things they want in life. With this lesson in mind, players on the Cannons are required to participate in a pizza and fruit sale each season to help raise funds for the team.
Along with its fundraising efforts, the Cannons also rely on donations and partnerships to maintain its operations. Organizations including the National Hockey League, the NHL Players Association and Discover have provided financial assistance to support the Cannons' mission.
The Washington Capitals and the Fort Dupont Cannons also share a long history of partnership that dates back more than two decades. In addition to financial support, the Capitals host a Cannons practice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex each year, host the team at games and created co-branded Capitals and Fort Dupont merchandise to raise money for the Cannons earlier this year.
The team also wore special black jerseys honoring the Cannons and Coach Neal prior to this season's Black History Night game on February 28th. The jerseys were brandished with a Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club shoulder patch and each player wore a decal with Henderson's face on their helmet.

"It's a dream that I am afraid to wake up from," Henderson said reflecting on his legacy. "Never did I ever think a hockey puck would do so much in my life. It's a real pleasure to know that something you're supposed to have fun with, has made a legacy for my life."
As a former player and now as a coach, Duante' Abercrombie is grateful for the strong relationship the Capitals and Cannons enjoy.
"The exposure and attention that has resulted is extremely important," Abercrombie said. "People need to understand that Fort Dupont matters and needs to stay around, because kids' lives depend on it."
Given the vital role Coach Neal and the team has played in the Washington, D.C. hockey community for the last 44 years, the Washington Capitals and Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation have selected the Fort Dupont Cannons as an inaugural Capital Impact Fund grant beneficiary. Through the grant, the Cannons will be awarded $10,000 to support its mission to improve accessibility and diversity in hockey.

More specifically, the funding will help offset two of the program's largest expenses - ice fees and equipment costs. Also, a portion of the grant will be utilized to pay for tournament fees, field trips for players and life skills development.
"I love the fact that it's called the Impact Fund, because it truly will have an impact," said Abercrombie.
Considering the significant costs involved in running a program like the Cannons, Abercrombie emphasizes just how important financial support is for the team. Unlike other organizations in the area, many of the players rely on the resources offered by the Cannons. Without adequate support, some players may not have the opportunity to play the game. Because of this reality, there is a palpable sense of urgency amongst the coaches to ensure the future of the team.
"This is not just a recreational sport for a lot of these kids, it will help save lives," Abercrombie asserts. "I've had friends that have been hurt on the streets or have been locked up - and I could have been one of those individuals if it had not been for hockey, had I never stepped foot in Fort Dupont and joined the Cannons family."
With a little help from the community, and the commitment of volunteers like Daunte Abercrombie, there is no doubt that Coach Neal's legacy will carry on for another four decades.

To learn more or to donate to the Fort Dupont Cannons Ice Hockey Club, please visit
www.FDHIC.org
.
To learn more about the Washington Capitals Capital Impact Fund, please visit
www.WashCaps.com/CapitalImpactFund
.