Tucked between the 19th Ward neighborhood in Rochester and the University of Rochester River campus, you'll find passion, grit and fun on the ice. The Genesee Ice Rink is a vibrant center for ice sports, offering a range of programs and opportunities for the community. From youth hockey to figure skating, the rink plays a vital role in fostering a love for ice sports and promoting accessibility for all.
Genesee Valley Park Entrance
Genesee Valley Youth Hockey Program: Breaking Down Barriers
The Genesee Valley Youth Hockey program is a city-funded program that offers free hockey lessons for city residents. It's a program that drew Florence Clemmons and her son, Elliott Clemmons, 13 years ago. Gear and leagues can cost thousands of dollars.
This program provides donated equipment. That attracted Jim Morris, whose son has been skating since he was six years old and now plays in Webster. "Parents didn’t necessarily have to invest a lot of money to find out if their kids want to play hockey or not," Morris said.
"With hockey, everyone says it’s so expensive and that’s why I really got more into it, so we can remove that expense barrier," said Florence Clemmons, Program Director of the Genesee Valley Youth Hockey Program. Clemmons takes the term 'hockey mom' to a new level. Now the program's director, with her son every step of the way. Elliott Clemmons now plays with the Junior Monarchs.
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"Seeing her growing the game and even my dad too. It’s been a fun ride," Elliott said. "It’s about access," said Florence. "Some children may not have the opportunity to get to and from, so that can be one of the challenges they face. The other challenge is just exposing it to them."
Like any program, it's a family - a program that continues to ignite the hopes and dreams of young children. "Don’t give up, no matter what," said Elliott. "I just love the sport so I don’t really care what someone says to me. I just keep going," Gage Smith said.
They are just a few of the many who aim to continue on and grow the game for a future generation. The program would like to create a city-wide team for home schooled and Rochester City School students to compete.
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Overcoming Challenges and Promoting Diversity
Opportunities for competitive play is perhaps the biggest hurdle for some ofGenesee Valley Youth Hockey's players.
"The biggest challenge was being able to rise above the adversity of the coaching, the parent coaching and its almost empirical inability to realize talent coming from a different race," said Charles Finley III, who also coaches the team. Finley is one of the coaches for the Genesee Valley Youth Hockey Program. He points to players who could not make Rochester youth leagues.
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"Charles Finley, my son and Gage Smith are both playing for the Wheatfield Blades, which is a triple A team," Finley said. "It’s the highest level they can play nationally. However they couldn’t make a team in Rochester. They couldn’t even make a AA team in Rochester."
"Oh, it’s definitely because of their color," said Finley III, when asked why he thought that was the case. Race is a barrier recognized by the NHL. It launched a "Hockey Is For Everyone" campaign, an ongoing effort to celebrate the sport's diversity and inclusion.
That matters to defensemen Gage Smith, who put on his first pair of skates at age three. "You look at it and there’s not too much of that. Not too many brown people," Smith said.
According to the NHL, there are 26 black active players in the league. Some of those players are on Smith's favorite team: the Las Vegas Golden Knights. "They have a lot of representation on that team," said Smith.
The following table shows the racial and ethnic diversity in the NHL as of 2023:
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| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage of Players |
|---|---|
| White | 93% |
| Black | 3% |
| Hispanic | 2% |
| Asian | 1% |
| Other | 1% |
Other Programs and Facilities
For those interested in learning the sport two Learn to Speed Skate programs (4 sessions) are offered during the season. The GFSC offers a place to train and call home where you can advance your skating skills while creating lasting friendships.
Members have access to private coaches to advance your skills and preparation for taking US Figure Skating tests and competing in USFSA sanctioned events. The club offers members-only ice sessions, quarterly test sessions, in-house ice shows/exhibitions, social events, and fun activities for skaters of all levels. Opportunities to volunteer and participate in club events create a welcoming environment, fostering camaraderie and a passion for skating.
Olympic rings
Rochester Speed Skating Club
The Rochester Speed Skating Club dates back many decades in Rochester, NY history when the Club was in its infancy and speed skating at Cobb’s Hill Park was an obsession and a recreational fascination. At one time RSSC had over 300 members and was a competitive powerhouse in the world of speed skating having turned out many incredible athletes, including Olympic Gold Medalist Cathy Turner.
During 1999 - 2000 season the Rochester Speedskating Club renewed its membership within the national organizing body, the American Speedskating Union, with a new name, The Rochester Short Track Speed Skating Team/RSST. For several years the Team skated at ESL and at Genesee Valley Ice Arena and now the Team skates at Genesee Valley on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays. There are approximately 45 active members skating in the 2015-16 season, ranging in age from 5 to 80.
A number of skaters also compete in Long Track meets which are skated on 400 meter ovals, including the Olympic Oval in Lake Placid and the Pettit Center in Milwaukee, MN. Team members are also very involved off-ice in competitions including road and trail races, cycling events, triathlons, biathlons and ski teams.