- How do I sign up to play?
- We send a sign-up email prior to each game. Once you’ve joined the list, you should receive messages asking if you want to play.
- If you want to play, visit the SMHC website and sign up online. Otherwise, simply don’t sign up for that game. However, just because you signed up to play, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a spot on the roster. If too many people sign up to play, then some people will be put on the alternates list. A few days before the game, the roster will be sent to the entire list by email. It will also be posted on the SMHC website on the Roster page.
- Just go to the SMHC website, and then click on the “SIGN UP” link in the menu at the top of the page.
- From the Sign Up page, you should see a list of games at the bottom of the page.
- Either click on a link to see more details, or click on the “Add to Cart” button.
- After pressing the “Add to Cart” button, you should be taken to the Shopping Cart page where you can review or cancel your selection. Press the “Proceed to Checkout” button to go to the Checkout page.
- The Checkout page is where you should register or login. If you haven’t already created an account, fill out the form to register. If you’ve previously created an account, you can simply login using your username and password.
- If you’ve forgotten your password, click on the login link, and then click on the lost password link to reset it. Sorry, we cannot access your password to tell you what it is.
- You must specify what line you want to play on, and you must check the box to accept the “terms & conditions” before pressing the “Place Order” button at the bottom of the Checkout page.
- After pressing the “Place Order” button, you should be taken to the Payment page. You can pay by PayPal or credit card. Press the “Pay Now” button to submit your payment. You should see a thank you message saying that your payment has been made and transaction completed, plus you should receive a confirmation email at whatever email address you used to register. If not, you have NOT signed up.
- You can check to verify the status of your order by logging in to the SMHC website and then clicking on the “MY ACCOUNT” link in the menu at the top of the page. Signing up will only authorize your payment, but we won’t process the transaction until after the game, so the status will say “Processing.”
- If you need to cancel, please send us an email and/or call as soon as possible. If it’s prior to the late-cancellation deadline, we’ll simply cancel the transaction and nothing will show up on your credit card. If it’s after the deadline, we’ll charge a late cancellation fee. If you’re a no-show, we’ll process the transaction just as if you played, plus a no-show fee. Please see the No-Show and Late Cancellation Policy.
Special note for goalies: You still need to sign up and pay just like players. However, your credit card will NOT be charged UNLESS you are a no-show. Please specify that you want to play goalie on the Checkout page, otherwise we’ll assign you as a player.
- How do I join the club?
- To register, please navigate to the My Account page and fill out the form on the right side of the page, and then press the “Register” button. You should now be logged in to your new account. However, the Registration form only creates an account using an account name and email address, so we still don’t know your name and other information. Please scroll down to the Billing Address heading and click on the “Edit” button. Fill out your name, address, and phone number. Be sure to specify whether you’re a C-line or B-line player. Press the “Save Address” button at the bottom of the form. If this is too confusing, please send an email with your name, email address and phone number to sperryhockey@gmail.com.
Alternately, you can register when you first sign up to play. Just go to the Sign Up page and fill out the form when you place your order.
Once you are registered, you will be added to the Sperry hockey mailing list. You’ll receive email messages with instructions for signing up to play as well as rosters and other information.
- Why do you want my phone number?
- So we can write it on the bathroom wall, of course. Seriously, we need your phone number to contact you when there is a problem with your email address, or if we need to contact you in the event of a cancellation or some other situation where email is just too slow.
- How do I quit the club?
- Just send an email with the subject “Remove from list” or something to that effect. You’ll receive a confirmation email within a few days.
- How can I tell if my order went through OK?
- After paying, you should see a thank you message saying that your payment has been made and transaction completed.In addition, you should receive a confirmation email at whatever email address you used to register. If not, you haven’t signed up.
- You can check to verify the status of your order by logging in to the SMHC website and then clicking on the “MY ACCOUNT” link in the menu at the top of the page.
- I think I am already signed up to play. Can you double check for me?
- Yes, we can double check, but we don’t want to do so.
- You can check your order status yourself by visiting the SMHC website and visiting the “My Account” page. Sign in, and then you should see a list of your recent orders. The date shown with each order is the date you placed the order, not the date of the game. Click on the order number of the “View” button to see the details of an individual order.
- Can I sign up for multiple games?
- Yes, the online store allows you to purchase multiple items simultaneously, so you can continue shopping and signup for multiple games in one transaction. However, we would really prefer that you sign up for each game separately, because it makes processing payments so much easier
- Can I sign up to play before the weekly sign-up message is sent?
- Yes, you can sign up as soon as the game has been posted on the website. You may see a notice on Facebook before you receive a signup email.
- Why did I receive an email from Sperry saying, “Your order is complete”?
- When you sign up to play, you authorize payment, but the transaction is not processed until after the game. The system automatically sends you an email after the order status has been changed from “processing” to “completed.”
- Is my online purchase secure?
- Yes. The Sperry Hockey website uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL). SSL is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral.
- When you visit the the Sperry Hockey website, note the HTTPS in the URL. The ‘S” indicates that the connection is secure. Depending on what browser you are using, you should also see an indication that the site is secure. For example, some web browsers display a green padlock icon next to the web address.
- In addition, we never actually process any payments on the Sperry Hockey website itself; all the payment processing is done by PayPal, and no credit card or other payment data is stored or processed on our website.
- How can I contact the Sperry Marine Hockey Club?
- Send an email to sperryhockey@gmail.com. Additional contact information can be found on the Contact Us page of the club’s web site.
- Is this a league?
- No. The Sperry Marine Hockey Club organizes a weekly game. There are no regular teams, and the rosters vary from week to week. The games are competitive but fun. We don’t keep score (well, most people don’t anyway…), and there are no standings. It’s like a pickup game, except the rosters are set in advance.
- Where is the Referee?
- This is just a friendly game, so we don’t need a stinkin’ referee. Besides, we’re too cheap to pay for a ref.
- How often does the Sperry Marine Hockey Club play?
- We play every Thursday night, except for holidays and special occasions. Sometimes we have games on other nights too. Occasionally we play other teams and play in tournaments as well. A sign-up message is sent approximately a week prior to each game, and rosters are posted a day or so prior to the game.
- When do the games start?
- Game time is usually 9:30 PM on Thursday nights. Game times may vary, however, so always check the game announcement for individual game times. Game times on days other than our regular Thursday night slot can vary widely, so pay extra close attention to those. We try to schedule games earlier than 10PM, and we rarely, if ever, play in the morning (Sperry hockey players are a nocturnal group). You must be at the rink at least 15 minutes prior to game time, or else your spot may be forfeit.
- Do I have to work at Sperry Marine to play?
- No, you don’t have to be a Sperry Marine employee to join the Sperry Marine Hockey Club (in fact, very few are). Membership is open to any adult 18 years old or older.
- Can women play?
- Yes. The games are co-ed, but in reality there are only a handful of ladies playing.
- Can children play?
- No. You must be 18 years of age or older to play.
- Can men play?
- Um, yeah, thanks for asking.
- What equipment do I need?
- Minimally, you’ll need hockey skates, a stick, shin pads, gloves and a helmet. However, we recommend that you wear full gear: skates, gloves, stick, shin pads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, hockey pants, a cup, and a helmet.
- I’m a beginner. Where can I get equipment?
- The club has some equipment that you can borrow. Contact us and we’ll get you suited up as best we can. The rink may also have some equipment that they rent. In addition, you can purchase relatively inexpensive gear online. Lastly, be sure to check out the club’s For Sale page to see what club members are selling.
- I’d like to play goalie. Can I borrow some gear?
- No. We used to own a set of goalie gear, but it was rarely used and we didn’t have a good place to store it. So we got rid of it.
- How much does membership cost?
- Membership is free! You only pay when you play.
- How much does it cost to play each week?
- The price per player is usually in the $15-$20 dollar range (depending on the rink and the length of the game), but goalies play for free. If we rent the ice for more or less time, the price will rise or fall accordingly. Tournaments usually cost more. The price is usually mentioned in the sign-up message for that game.
- I want to pay by check. To whom do I make it payable?
- Sorry, we no longer accept cash or checks. All payments should be made using our secure online payment system. You can pay using PayPal and most major credit cards.
- Can I pay by credit card?
- Yes, with our on-line payment system, you must pay in advance either via Pay Pal or credit card.
- Where do the profits go?
- Most of the fees collected each week go to pay for the ice rental and to maintain the website. Any extra money goes into the club’s bank account. The club’s account is used to pay for no-shows, subsidize tournament fees and purchase goalie equipment and uniforms. Plus, somebody has to pay for all those martinis that Dan drinks (just kidding).
- How long do I have to reply to the sign-up message?
- You should have a couple days to reply. If you haven’t seen the roster in your in-box yet, then you probably still have time to reply. For the Thursday night game, the sign-up message is usually sent Friday morning. The roster is usually posted by Tuesday night. So that gives you 4 days to respond. Most people reply right away.
- Can I sign up my friend to play too?
- No, we do not allow third-party sign-ups. Each individual must sign up online. Exceptions will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Why didn’t you reply to my message?
- Ummm, what makes you think we actually read your email? If you sent an email as a reply to the weekly sign-up message, odds are we never opened it. Really, why is that?
- With over 300 members, we get a lot of email, and we don’t have time to reply to every message. If you want us to actually read and reply to your message, then you should change the subject line of your message. For example, you might change the subject to read, “PLEASE READ: Lost hockey stick.”Also, if you leave a phone message, please remember to leave a return phone number, because we don’t have it memorized.
- I didn’t receive the roster by email. How can I tell if I’m playing or not?
- The list is usually posted 1-2 days before game time, but sometimes it’s late. It will be posted at least 12 hours before game time.If you don’t get the roster or sign-up message by email, please contact us and let us know – there may be a problem with the email list. Also, you can always check the roster on the web site’s Hockey Roster page. The roster is almost always posted on the web site at least 12 hours before game time, but it’s usually posted well before that.Lastly, you can look for the roster on the club’s Facebook page.
- Why are there B and C lines?
- Since we have such a range of talents, we decided to segregate the players based on ability. The C line is for beginners or players who don’t skate too well yet. The B line is for intermediate and advanced players. We think it’s more fun for everybody when the lines are composed of players who are all at the same approximate skill level.
- How come there’s no A line?
- Reality hurts, eh? We realize that the Sperry game caters to beginners and intermediate players. However, sometimes we put together a game with higher quality players who are used to a faster, more competitive game. These A-line players are advanced/expert players who play in an Adult A league, and they generally have some experience playing high school or college hockey.
- I’m an A-level player. Can I play with Sperry?
- Yes, A-level players are welcome to play on the B line. In fact many do. However, please be aware that some of the players on your line may not be playing at the same high level as you might like.
- What’s up with the buzzer going off every couple minutes during the game?
- The buzzer signals when it is time to change lines. In a normal game, players change “on the fly” whenever they get tired. Since we have such a mix of beginners and intermediate/advanced players, we want the lines to change as a unit. It also helps to make sure everybody gets their fair share of ice time when a teammate might otherwise stay on the ice too long.
- How is the roster selected?
- Players and goalies are selected from all the players who signed up to play that week. A few days before the game, we go through the signups and put together lines. We try to make the teams even. Any one who signs up to play but doesn’t make the roster is put on the alternates list for that game.
- Who makes up the roster?
- Brad Sayler and David Delamere share the workload. Brad usually makes up the roster for Thursday nights, while David handles the rosters for other nights. Joe Nasevich also helps out when needed.
- What color jersey should I wear?
- Wear either a white or dark jersey, depending upon which team you’re on. When the roster is posted it should specify your team. Teams vary, so be sure to check each week.The white team wears, well, white jerseys, of course. The dark team wears any dark color – black, blue, red, green, purple, whatever. Yellow and gray are discouraged, and orange is just plain ugly so don’t go there! If you own a Sperry jersey, please wear it and show your pride!
- Do I need a Sperry hockey jersey to play?
- No. Any dark or white jersey (as appropriate for whichever team you’re on for that game) is OK.
- How do I get a Sperry hockey jersey?
- We first ordered jerseys (sweaters for you Canadians out there) in 2007. Additional orders will be made periodically when we have enough orders to make it worthwhile (the bigger the order, the lower the cost per individual jersey). The first batch of jerseys cost only 44 dollars, and that included socks. I doubt that we’ll ever manage to get that good a price again. The jerseys are blue and white like Toronto Maple Leaf jerseys. Sperry Marine’s colors are blue and white, in case you were wondering why. We use Reebok jerseys, the same kind that used to be sold at the original Charlottesville Ice Park’s pro shop.If you’d like to place an order, send an email to sperryhockey@gmail.com with the subject “Order jersey for xyz” or something like that, where xyz is your name. In the body of your message please include the following information:
- How many jerseys you’d like to order
- Size (S, M, L, XL, XXL, or Goalie) – sorry, no XXXL
- Color (blue, white)
- Number you’d like on the back
- Name you’d like on the back
- Whether you want matching socks and what color (blue, white)
No money is due until just before the order is placed. However, no jerseys will be ordered without receiving payment in advance.
- I’m on the roster to play, but now I can’t make it. What should I do?
- Contact sperryhockey@gmail.com as soon as possible so we can try to get a substitute to play in your place. Even if you don’t play, you may still have to pay. Late cancellations will likely incur a fine and a suspension. However, it’s still better to cancel than to simply not show up because the penalties for a no-show are higher than for a late cancellation. See the No-show and Late Cancellation page for details.Also, if you’re canceling after 5:00 PM on the night before the game, or canceling the day of the game, you’re better off telephoning than relying on email. We can’t always check email during the day, so a phone message has a better chance of reaching us than an email if you want a prompt response. See the Contact Us page for phone numbers to call.See the No-Show and Late Cancellation Policy for more information.
- What happens if I’m on the roster and I don’t show up to play?
- Terrible things… not the least of which of which is that you’ve probably pissed off a lot of people, especially the people who organize this game. You will also have messed up the lines for that game and forced some people to skate a double shift or made your team play each shift short-handed. You’ll still have to pay your game fee, just as if you had played, plus you’ll have to pay a fine, and you won’t be allowed to skate with the group for a week or so. See the No-Show and Late Cancellation Policy for more information.
- I signed up to play, so why didn’t I make the roster?
- Signup’s are limited to just 20 players and 2 goalies each week. If more than 20 people sign up to play, then those extra players are put on the alternates list.
- I’m an alternate. What does that mean? Should I go to the rink?
- If somebody were to cancel after the roster is posted, you (or one of the other alternates) would be contacted by email and/or telephone and asked to fill the vacant spot. If somebody were to cancel at the last minute, you would get a phone call. Regardless of how you’re contacted, you would know if you were playing. So, no, you don’t need to go to the rink if you’re an alternate. However, sometimes people just go to the rink anyway, just in case there is a no-show. Usually everybody shows up, so that’s not a great strategy.
- How do you decide who makes the roster and who doesn’t?
- All applicants who sign up are considered for placement on one of the lines. If more than 20 players sign up, not everybody can play. We try to give everybody an equal opportunity to play. So those who played more in previous weeks are given a lower priority than somebody who did not play in previous weeks. Those who were alternates the previous week are given the highest priority. Those who have been suspended because of a no-show or late cancellation cannot play until their suspension is over.
- Early signup is permitted, but it neither enhances nor reduces your chances of being selected to play (in other words, there’s NO ADVANTAGE in signing up early).
- The first criteria when setting up the lines is to select those applicants who served on the alternate list the previous time they signed up. In addition, those who help significantly with the administration of the Sperry games are given special preference, so they usually make the roster every time they sign up to play. Once the former alternates and administrators are put on the roster, the rest of the roster is completed using the “order of merit” as described below.
- What’s the “order of merit” and how is it used to determine the roster?
- We maintain a system that ranks everyone who has signed up for one of the preceding 16 Sperry games. The ranking is based on the ratio of the number of times you have served as an alternate divided by the number of times you have signed up. After placing the former alternates and administrators on the roster, we use that ranking system to determine who will get the remaining slots. It is the fairest system that we’ve been able to implement. If you have any better ideas, we’d be glad to hear about them.When there are more skaters that slots, the people with the highest ratio (those who have played the least or been on the alternates list most frequently) make the roster, and those with the lowest ratio (those who have played the most or been an alternate infrequently) are put on the alternates list.
- I might be late for the game. Whom should I contact?
- You must be at the rink at least 15 minutes before game time, or your spot may be forfeit. Call Brad, David, or Joe ASAP – phone numbers are posted on the Contact Us page – so we don’t give your spot to somebody else. If all else fails, call the rink and ask the attendant to give your message to somebody in the club. However, there’s no guarantee that a message left at the rink will actually get to us. Don’t be content to send an email or leave a message on somebody’s voice-mail – make sure you talk to somebody or there’s no guarantee that we’ll save your spot.
- How can I send an email to the entire list?
- You can’t – at least not directly. We try to protect your email address, and don’t send messages where you can see the list of recipients. So if you send a message using the “Reply All” option, you won’t reach the entire list. However, we will be happy to forward your hockey-related message to the entire group. Non-hockey messages probably won’t be forwarded. Please email your message to sperryhockey@gmail.com with the subject line “PLEASE FORWARD:” followed by whatever you want the topic of your message to be. Be sure to include your email address and phone number if you want people to reply to you. We will forward your message to the entire list.
