Memorial Ice Hockey Club Game to Honor Former ODU Student Killed in Terrorist Attack
Zach Cuddeback played only one season (2008-09) for Old Dominion University's ice hockey club team. Despite his quiet nature, he made quite an impression on his teammates and coach Rich Appleby.
They were shocked when they learned that Cuddeback had been shot and killed by a terrorist at an airport in Germany last March 2.
To keep his memory alive, his teammates are hosting the Zach Cuddeback Memorial Game at Norfolk Scope at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.
"We wanted to do something that would remember Zach, who was an enthusiastic member of our team, but also promote ODU ice hockey," Appleby said.
Cuddeback's family plans to attend the event. A banner honoring Cuddeback will be displayed, and the new custom ODU jersey with his No. 16 will be presented to his family.
Tickets to the game against Northern Virginia Community College, including admission to the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals game later that night, are $10. A $2 donation is the price of admission to the ODU game only. Proceeds from the ODU-NVCC game will support club hockey at the university, one of almost two-dozen club sports played by ODU students.
"For our entire sport club program, it gives us exposure," said Jean Holt, assistant director of recreation and wellness at ODU. "These teams are competing one step below the varsity level. It's good competition."
ODU's ice hockey team competes against teams from other schools in the Blue Ridge Hockey Conference.
The ODU Monarch Maniacs spirit group is helping to boost attendance at the Oct. 22 game by encouraging its members to purchase tickets. "The Maniacs are always in support of school spirit and pride, and events like this help grow it," said Meghan Harr, coordinator for activities and programs with ODU's Office of Student Activities and Leadership. "It's even better that it's such a good cause."
Tickets for the game can be purchased from an ODU hockey team member, or online at https://www.norfolkadmirals.com/group_sales.php?id=ODUHOCKEY.
Airman 1st Class Zachary Ryan Cuddeback left ODU in 2009 to join the U.S. Air Force. He was a graduate of William Monroe High School in Stanardsville, Va.