Legacy on Ice: Alumni's Role in Building Rumsey's Hockey Community

At Rumsey Hall, tradition and camaraderie resonate deeply within the school community. Steve Spooner ‘94, Mack O'Shea ‘09, Stacie DeGrazia ‘09, and Steph Proteau ‘15, embody the essence of our ethos, instilling the same values of leadership, resilience, and community that they themselves once embraced while students-athletes at Rumsey Hall.

Steve Spooner ‘94, grew up at Rumsey Hall and returned to campus in 2016 as the Rink Manager. He is the unsung hero behind the scenes at Lufkin Rink, where his meticulous attention to detail ensures that the ice and facility remain pristine. His commitment to excellence is a testament to his unwavering dedication to providing the Rumsey community with a top-notch skating experience. "To me Lufkin Rink is all about the wow factor when someone steps in the building. From the locker rooms to the ice sheet. There is not a better place to play hockey. It's all about providing the ultimate experience for our players, coaches and fans. That is what makes the rink so special."

First year faculty member Mack O'Shea '09 epitomizes the spirit of dedication and mentorship. Drawing from his own experiences on the ice, Mack believes in the transformative power of hockey beyond mere sport. His vision for the program extends far beyond wins and losses; it encompasses the cultivation of character. “It takes zero skill to put in 100% effort. If you are willing to show up, work hard, and push yourself every day, I can guarantee that you will improve and leave a better player and person than you started as.” Mack brings energy to each and every practice and game, ensuring his players are always giving it their all. After Rumsey, Mack played hockey for Canterbury, Post University, and the Milenio Logrono Panthers. 

When Stacie DeGrazia ‘09 was a student at Rumsey, there wasn’t always a girls hockey team. In her VIth Form year, she met with Tom Farmen, Headmaster Emeritus, to propose the creation of a program for girls on campus. The idea was met with opportunity and optimism, as she was instructed to get a list of girls interested in the program. The following year, Lufkin Rink opened, and the newly formed Girls’ Varsity Hockey team was the first to take the ice. “Coaching since 2018 and witnessing the current state of our program is truly unbelievable. From teaching my teammates and our coach, Ms. Duff, how to skate backward in that first season, to now having players graduate from our program and play Division I hockey, is something I could never have imagined. Rumsey believed in my dream, and that's why alumni come back.” Stacie has been working at Rumsey since 2018, serving as a member of the Math department, a dorm parent to the youngest girls on campus, and as a coach of the field hockey and lacrosse program.  After Rumsey, Stacie went on to play hockey at Canterbury.

Steph Proteau '15, a first year coach and member of the Advancement team, found her passion for hockey ignited within the walls of Lufkin Rink when she was a student at Rumsey. Under the guidance of her dedicated coaches, Kath Surbey and Georgina Duff, Steph honed her skills and discovered the true extent of her capabilities. Now, as a coach herself, Steph is determined to pay forward the invaluable lessons she learned as a student-athlete. “Without the incredible support from my teammates, coaches and teachers here, I would not have been able to accomplish my dream of becoming a Division I hockey player. Playing here at Rumsey gave me the confidence to play to my full potential.” After Rumsey, Steph played hockey for Canterbury and Franklin Pierce University. 

As these alumni, now serving as members of our faculty and staff, share their insights and mentorship with the upcoming generation of Rumsey athletes, they underscore the timeless legacy of camaraderie, resilience, and excellence woven into the fabric of the Rumsey Hall experience. Their dedication stands as a testament to the profound impact of athletics and the unyielding sense of community that unites us all as cherished members of the Rumsey family.