'We Will Find a Way Forward'

The Bethard family of Anchorage is proof-positive of what hockey means to Alaskans. Kathie Bethard and her late husband, Frank, raised two sons and daughter, all to be University of Alaska Anchorage hockey fans. One son, middle child Todd, played for his home NCAA Division I Seawolves as a defenseman from 1993 to 1997.
Todd's older brother, Brian, played his NCAA hockey at Colorado College, then returned to his home state and like Todd, started a career, raised a family and was happy to give back to the community as a youth hockey coach. It only made sense, since the Bethard boys were coached themselves by former UAA players.

"It is a privilege to play collegiate hockey," says Kathie Bethard, whose daughter, Heather, scored the first goal ever for the University of Texas Division I women's soccer team in 1993. "When you think about it, there are tens of thousands of youth hockey boys and girls in the U.S.]. About 2,000 play NCAA Division I each season."
But that privilege for University of Alaska Anchorage players is in jeopardy. As reported in
[our recent story
, the UAA hockey program is facing a potential end to its storied 42-year-program. Six months ago, the UAA hockey program was identified to be discontinued as part of state budget cuts.
Once those budget cuts were announced with no forewarning to the public, Bethard said she was "appalled" and immediately called local banker and close friend Chuck Homan, who was integral to founding the UAA men's hockey program in 1979, along with other contacts who were part of the program's booster club.
Homan recruited Frank (a banking colleague and pal) and Kathie Bethard to be original members of the booster club. Kathie joined the board early on in its formation and later served as board president for six seasons. She remains the lead volunteer for timekeeping and scorekeeping at Seawolves games (the team suspended play this season per the financial goal to reinstate a sustainable program.
Bethard says she "went straight to the Board of Regents to ask to give us a chance" to save the program. The answer was $3 million was needed in four months to keep the team operating (and restarting NCAA play in the 2022-23 season). Bethard started
SaveSeawolfHockey.com
(you can easily pledge funds on the site or text "UAAHOCKEY" to 41444 to donate) in short order, also launching an email campaign and forming a virtual fundraising committee ("we meet every Tuesday night; we haven't actually met in person yet").

The SaveSeawolfHockey group impressively raised more than $1.5 million in those months with some generous local bank and company donations but also through nearly 1,000 community members and UAA fans. Jason Metrokin, CEO of Bristol Bay Native Corporation, volunteered to support the effort by contacting businesses and industry contacts. Metronkin grew up in Anchorage, played youth hockey ("all of my coaches were former UAA players").
When Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke asked Metrokin for his take on hockey's meaning to Alaskans during a recent business meeting, the Bristol Bay CEO summoned his inner fan and beer league player to describe the unsteady situation for UAA hockey and how much those games mean to Anchorage and fans in small towns too-plus the even greater impact of what former Seawolf players give back to the community as police officers, firefighters, business owners, executives, civic leaders, fathers and hockey coaches.
Metrokin praised Bethard's advocacy as chair of the SaveSeawolfHockey organization and set up a Zoom call with Leiweke and Bethard in late January. Since then, with support from majority owner David Bonderman and other investors, the Kraken has pledged more than $150,000 as a challenge gift. The challenge derives from the team's intention to make the sport accessible to more players and fans. College hockey is part of the growth chain, which starts with youth hockey, continues with high school and juniors play, then university and professional ranks.
What's more, Seattle hockey fans willing to donate would likely help this region see NCAA Division I at Climate Pledge Arena. Kraken and UAA officials have talked about possible future tournaments featuring UAA and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the only other Division I program, hosting other NCAA big-name hockey programs for a Seattle-based NCAA tournament model after storied Beanpot even every season in Boston.
What's more, UAA head coach Matt Curley is positive that the Kraken will inspire a greater number of youth hockey players in our area, making Seattle and Pacific Northwest a recruiting hotbed for UAA and Division I program across the country.
"The Kraken's involvement has generated a lot of interest since Feb. 26 when the challenge gift was announced]," says Bethard. "We now have until Aug. 30 to reach our goal of $3 million. "Some people were waiting to see if we were 'for real' and lots of others were not aware [pthe program was in peril]. We will find a way forward. We so appreciate the support. Every donation gets us one step closer to getting UAA hockey back."
*It's worth repeating: Fans can learn more at [saveseawolfhockey.com, choosing to donate or join fundraising event such as an upcoming virtual auction. You can even text "UAAHOCKEY" to 41444 to donate.*