NCRHA & USAHIL Award Scholarship to two College Students

The National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) and USA Hockey Inline are proud to announce James Cruse of Truman State University and Gary Ehrmann of Shippensburg University as the recipients of scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each as part of the 2006 College Scholarship Program presented by the NCRHA and USA Hockey InLine. 

?We are honored to be able to reward these student-athletes for their contributions both on and off the rink,? said Jeremy Kennedy, Manager of Growth and Development at USA Hockey InLine.  ?Both of these student-athletes have shown through their hard work and dedication that they not only make great leaders within their respective clubs, but that they will also carry that leadership into their future endeavors as well. 

The scholarship winners were announced during the awards ceremony following the 2006 NCRHA Division I National Championship game at the 2006 Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships in Morrisville, NC during the week of April 5th-9th. 

?These two gentlemen represent the true meaning of college athletes,? said Rebecca Breitel, 2006 Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships Event Director.  ?They standout as leaders in the inline community and we are proud to have them as participants in the NCRHA.?

Cruse, a Business Administration major from Kirksville, MO, has a 3.49 GPA in his junior year at Truman State University.  As a member of the roller hockey team, Cruse, a defenseman, scored six goals and nine assists in 19 games while also serving as the player/coach of the team and alternate captain. 

In addition to his involvement in the roller hockey club, Cruse has also remained active in the community by serving as a student advisor and volunteering his time to help in fundraising efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and the Relay for Life foundation.  Recently, Cruse was selected to serve as a Community Coordinator for the 2006-07 academic year. 

?Jimmy Cruse and the Truman State Bulldogs are exceptional representatives for the Great Plains Region and the sport of roller hockey,? said Andy Hayes, Referee-In-Chief of the Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League.  ?Jimmy is an outstanding student-athlete and the NCRHA and USA Hockey Inline made a great choice in honoring him with this scholarship.?

Ehrmann, a Finance and Management major from Warrington, PA, has a 2.85 GPA in his junior year at Shippensburg University.  As a member of the roller hockey team, Ehrmann, a defenseman, scored 13 goals and 15 assists in 27 games this season while helping earn his club a berth in the 2006 Collegiate Roller Hockey National Championship Tournament.  Ehrmann also serves as the President of the Roller Hockey Club at Shippensburg.

In addition to his participation in the roller hockey club, Ehrmann also serves his school community as a resident assistant and has dedicated his time to efforts such as the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and the Adopt a Street program. 

?Gary?s contributions to collegiate roller hockey have been monumental,? said Antone Lawrence, Vice President/Commissioner of the Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association.  ?The Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association is proud that Gary has been recognized with this scholarship and hope that we continue to see his development as a leader within both the academic and athletic communities.?

?USA Hockey InLine is proud to see inline hockey continue to grow and develop at all levels, said Andrea Williams, USA Hockey InLine Growth and Development Coordinator.  ?This scholarship provides collegiate inline hockey players with something to strive toward both on and off the rink and gives the sport more legitimacy and credibility then ever before.?