As the height of Permanent Change of Station move season continues many service members and their spouses are considering their housing, how they’ll move all of their belongings, and what schools their children will go to. Another important thing many consider is what opportunities are available for their children to engage and feel at home in a new location. For one Fort Jackson noncommissioned officer and his Family the answer to that question has been hockey.
“I have two boys that play hockey,” said Master Sgt. Jason Hughes, operations sergeant with the 193rd Infantry Brigade. “Aiden is 13 and has played hockey for four years. Liam is 8 and started playing hockey when he was 4 years old. I introduced the boys to the sport when we were stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado … We then received orders for Fort Jackson and I immediately contacted the Capital City Youth Hockey Association and enrolled the boys … Hockey builds excellent stamina, speed, mental toughness, grit, character, leadership, and team work. These are all skills that are becoming rarer by the day but are just as important as they ever were.”
Hughes is currently an assistant coach for the Columbia Cyclones, one of CCYHA’s teams and has been with the program for four years. He also served on the board of directors for two and a half years.
“It's been a great opportunity to showcase what Army leaders can do, how we develop people, and mentor young men and women to be productive contributors as adults,” Hughes said.
Kirby Brownfield, president of CCYHA board of directors, said the PCS season means the association loses some good players but on the plus side new kids are coming in at any given time. Players come not only from families stationed at Fort Jackson but also Shaw Air Force Base and even as far away as Fort Gordon, Georgia.
“The military presence in our association has always been one of our greatest assets,” Brownfield said. “We currently have players ranging from six years old up to 15 year who are dependents of active duty military families. We also have several veterans like myself. I spent 10 years in the Army and finished my Army career as a recruiter in Irmo, South Carolina.”
Darius Lane, Fort Jackson Youth Sports and Fitness Director, agrees that youth sports help with the sometimes difficult transition that comes with being a military child.
“Kids being involved in youth sports builds so much morale and resiliency,” Lane said. “Sports has its own language so no matter where you go the terminology for sports, for baseball, for basketball, for football, it’s going to be the same. When you PCS and you’re playing a sport, you get there and you can connect with someone who plays a like sport as you. So you speak the same language as them and you share a common bond. It can make the transition from one duty station to another relatively easier for the military child.”
Lane also believes in the life lessons that come from youth sports. “(In a team sport) you have to count on other people, you’re accountable for a role on the team. Your role is either going to contribute to the success or the lack of success of your team.”
“Military life lands you in a lot of different places. One of the many challenges of relocating every few years is finding elements from home where you are at and experiencing new things to develop and broaden yourself and your Family,” Hughes said. “Having a program in Columbia allowed my two boys to play the sport they love despite not living in a traditional hockey market.”
Hughes’ son, Aiden, says hockey is a lot of fun and it allows him to make new friends. He also likes the competitive aspect. “The program is supportive and can pull in new players and make them love the sport … I’d love to play professionally.”
For information about other opportunities in youth sports call (803) 751-7451.
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