The Hamilton Inn in Hamilton, N.Y. had a line of people out the door on Sept. 30 eager to be served by a novice wait staff: Colgate University men’s ice hockey players. The team partnered with the Hamilton Inn for a new event called “Raiders as Waiters,” in which all members of the men’s ice hockey team put down their sticks and picked up menus to raise money for the Hamilton Food Cupboard. The event, which raised $6,150, was an enormous success.
While the team is used to pregame jitters, they were unsure of what to expect from a night of serving tables. For most of the team, this was their first time working in a restaurant. Sophomore Niko Rexine made note of the quick training session the team underwent before an influx of diners filled the restaurant’s tables.
“We talked with the owners and a couple waiters for about fifteen minutes, and they told us what to do,” Rexine said.
Despite their lack of experience and formal training, the team did an excellent job at serving the Hamilton and Colgate communities. Their hard work as servers, coupled with the special Colgate hockey-themed menu, made the dining experience one to remember for diners and players alike. Menu items such as the “Metz-Balls,” named after junior Bobby Metz, were both hilarious and delicious.
“I had no part in naming the dish, but I guess in some way it’s flattering, you know, I guess I was recognized,” Metz said. “I mean, obviously it’s a philanthropic event. It’s great to support charity, so it’s more about that than anything else.”
The Metz-Balls were a success along with many other dishes named with cheeky puns, such as a salad simply named “Lettuce,” hockey slang for hair, or the “Lemon Lamplighter” dessert, which refers to the red light above the net that lights up when a goal is scored.
Junior Lucy Brewer attended the event with her friends after seeing it advertised on social media.
“My friend told me about the event, and we made a reservation right away,” Brewer said. “I always watch the hockey games, so I wanted to see some team bonding over some good food at the Hamilton Inn. It was fun to see the hockey team off of the ice, and the service and food were great. The Metz-Balls were some of the best I’ve had.”
Brewer also made note of the event as a way to connect Colgate students and student athletes with the town of Hamilton.
“Hamilton locals are always showing up to support Colgate hockey, so it’s really nice to see the team showing up to support the town of Hamilton,” Brewer said.
By raising money for the Hamilton Food Cupboard, the team is helping provide lunches for school kids, food and clothes for families in need and hygiene supplies to impoverished communities in Hamilton.
Events such as “Raiders as Waiters” demonstrate how the University and town can support each other and build stronger community ties.
Show up and support the Colgate men’s ice hockey team against Sacred Heart University on Friday, Oct. 11 at home at the Class of 1965 Arena.