Community Programs
Rapid City Rush/CHL Junior Reporter Program
The Rapid City Rush is excited to participate in the CHL Junior Reporter Program. The 2009 – 10 program will offer six (6) opportunities in each CHL city for kids to closely interact with their favorite team and players. Participants must be between the ages of 8 and 16. Interested participants can apply for a Junior Reporter slot via the Central Hockey League website. Those selected, along with an accompanying adult, will receive a pair of tickets to the selected Rapid City Rush game, a tour of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena, an opportunity to meet with team beat writers, view the game from the Press Box, and interview a player or coach following the contest.
Where possible, the CHL Junior Reporter will also be interviewed on the team’s radio broadcast. Once his or her game is complete, the Junior Reporter will file his or her article, and pictures of the experience whenever possible, on both the Central Hockey League website, www.centralhockeyleague.com, and on the Official Website of the Rapid City Rush, www.rapidcityrush.com. Each Junior Reporter is limited to one game per season to allow others an opportunity to participate.
Those selected will also receive a press package from the CHL containing a personalized Press Pass, a CHL puck, and personalized notepaper for use at their scheduled game. Those selected to participate are contacted via email with confirmation of the date he or she will serve as a Junior Reporter, and will receive further details as their date approaches. Each Junior Reporter will work in conjunction with the Rapid City Rush Director of Communications Daniel Nieves. Following the selected game, each participant will have seven days to submit his or her article (between 250 and 1000 words) via email.
Junior Achievement
Rapid City Rush is a proud supporter of Junior Achievement of South Dakota. Junior Achievement of South Dakota strives to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business and economics, to improve the quality of their lives. Through age-appropriate curricula, Junior Achievement programs begin at the elementary school level, teaching children how they can impact the world around them as individuals, workers and consumers. Junior Achievement programs continue through the middle and high school grades, preparing students for future economic and workforce issues they'll face.
Grades for Blades
The mission of Grades for Blades is to encourage students to work hard at school and to improve their grades each term. Students who have a “B” average or above each term will be rewarded with a free ticket to a Rapid City Rush home game.
Each school that is represented at the game will receive a Public Address/Videoboard Announcement recognizing its student’s achievements. Principals and teachers at each school will decide who is eligible for the reward.
Grades for Blades sponsored by:
Fundraising
In an effort to show our appreciation towards the Black Hills community and all it has given the Rapid City Rush, we make every attempt to support nonprofit organizations through our Fundraising Sales Program. Due to the high volume of applications, we ask you to complete this form as thoroughly as possible for consideration.
Application & Guidelines (.pdf)Other Programs
Public Service Announcements
Rapid City Rush coaches, management, and players will be available to serve as spokespeople for charitable causes throughout the Black Hills.
For more information on Rapid City Rush community programs, please contact:
Darcy Zandstra
Director of Sales & Marketing
605-484-1024
darcy@rapidcityrush.com
Chuck-a-Puck Sales
One of the most popular intermission activities is Chuck-A-Puck. Pucks are purchased during each home game and thrown onto the ice during intermission for a chance to win prizes and special offers provided by Rapid City Rush sponsors and partners.
Selling pucks for the Chuck-A-Puck promotion is a great way for non-profit and school organizations to receive 25% of the proceeds from the Chuck-A-Puck sales.
To be considered for Chuck-a-Puck, please turn in a filled out application to the Rapid City Rush office. Dates for Chuck-A-Puck will start being selected in August shortly after we receive our schedule and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. We want everyone to have an opportunity to participate, so please help us by following these guidelines:
- Your organization must be a nonprofit, school or community organization.
- We will need a minimum of 10 volunteers and one group leader or chaperone per group to ensure success.
- If your group has minors we will need waivers signed by legal guardians prior to being allowed to sell.
- Your group will need to be at the ice arena no later than one hour before doors open to prepare for the nights sales.
- Your organization will be responsible for the money given used as a till for the nights sales and any shortages will come out of the nightly profit.
- All applications must be received by the Rush office a minimum of one month in advance to be considered.
Chuck-a-Puck sales can be a lot of work, but are a lot of fun! Participants in the sales program will get to go behind-the-scenes and help run a Rapid City Rush 2nd intermission! We are looking for energetic, enthusiastic groups who are wanting to raise money for their organization and be a part of Rush Hockey this year.
Chuck-a-Puck Application (.pdf)Mail to: Rapid City Rush
ATTN: John Hess
444 Mount Rushmore Road N.
Rapid City, SD 57701 or email form to john@rapidcityrush.com.