Conventional Hockey
Mini Convention offers opportunity to see PBA hockey team at its best
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Initially, the NJ State PBA Hockey Team scheduling a game
in conjunction with the PBA Mini Convention in Atlantic City
appeared to be an ingenious benevolent opportunity fitting the
philanthropy this team has spread since its inception. Team
Manager Mike Schulze, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers
Local 314 State Delegate, figured this game against the Philadel-
phia PD could turn the afternoon of the middle of convention
week into a momentous event.
With more than 1,000 members, including representatives
from nearly every Local in the state, on hand, a game during the
annual Mini Convention in Atlantic City would be a great fund-
raising opportunity for the PBA Survivor & Welfare Fund. And
with the game slated for the AC Skate Zone, about a mile from
the convention site at Bally’s, a raucous crowd would be there
to support the PBA team in this growing rivalry against Philly.
“We’re trying to blow it out,” Schulze encouraged. “We want
to make it into another one of our staple games, one of our an-
nual games to keep growing the team and the charity.”
But it seems like this game could become even bigger than
anybody ever imagined.
At the PBA main convention in September, Schulze first an-
nounced to the members that this March game had been sched-
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ FEBRUARY 2018
uled. Earlier that day, Atlantic City Local 24 member Josh Vadell
had addressed the convention about his inspirational recovery
from being shot in the head when responding to a call on Sept.
3, 2016.
Schulze and other members of the team were hanging out
with Vadell later that night. As they talked, the idea of playing
this game in Atlantic City during the Mini Convention to also
raise money and awareness for the foundation Vadell planned
to start bubbled up.
“Hearing Josh’s story, I was blown away,” Schulze comment-
ed. “What he went through was so inspirational, and just a year
later he is looking for a way to give back to all those who helped
him. We thought the game would be a great platform for that.”
PBA hockey is having T-shirts made to sell to raise money for
the Josh Vadell Foundation. Bill McNamara, the famed Sergeant
Mac, is providing the shirts with “ACPD Strong” on the front as
a tribute to Vadell and to all the challenges Local 24 members
have endured with the state takeover of Atlantic City.
Prior to the game, Vadell and his partner on the Sept. 3 call,
Tom McCabe, will be honored in a ceremony. Vadell will also
participate in the honorary faceoff wearing a PBA hockey jersey
made especially for him.
“When I asked him what number he wanted on the jersey,
he told me he wanted to think about it for a day so it would be
something significant,” Schulze revealed. “He called me back
the next day and told me he wanted 93. I asked him, “why 93?’
He said, ‘That’s the day I was shot – 9/3.’ Again, I was blown
away. I can’t think of any number on any sports jersey more sig-
nificant than that.”
So this game against the Philadelphia PD appears to have a
lot of expectations. Schulze is confident the brewing rivalry will
not disappoint. When the two teams first played last year in Red
Bank, Philly won, 8-4. The teams met again a few months ago,
and the PBA took a 9-4 victory.
More than 20 PBA Locals have already stepped up to sponsor
the game. Survivor & Welfare will benefit immensely. It should
be a huge afternoon for the Josh Vadell Foundation. Don’t miss
it. d