For those of you that do NOT know me, I have been a member of the New York Islanders Booster Club since 1988.

What is a Booster, you ask?

Well - to make it simple, we are the Only Official Support organization recognized by the Islanders.  Since 1972, thousands of fans have been involved with the Islanders in so many ways.

1.  Trips.  The club supports the team on the road.  Every season, the club goes on at least 3 trips a year to see the Islanders play the rest of the NHL.  For example, this season, we are looking to go to Pittsburgh, Montreal, Washington, and Carolina, among others.  It is always fun to see the team before the game, and let them know that we drove up or down to see them.  I really think they appreciate it.

2.  Meetings - we have a meeting every month during the season, where we have someone from the organization visit us.  Last season, we had Brad Shaw, Brent Sopel, Brad Lukowich and Alexei Yashin visit us.  It is a nice way to get to know the guys outside of the uniform.

3.  Charity.  This is one of the least recoginzed, but most important factors.  We (the club) get involved with a lot of charitable endeavors.  We collect school supplies, cleaning products for needy groups, money for organizations, as well as do Chinese auctions.  These are great ways to provide money and services for Long Island companies. 

The Islanders give us a table on the concourse at home games (see us at Gate 3), and they have been extremely helpful to us.  Being a booster does not mean you are better than any other fan.  It doesn’t mean that you love the team any better than anyone else.  It just means that you support an organization that will do whatever it can, to support the Islanders organization, whether on or off the ice.

For four years (1997-2001), I had the privilege of serving as President of this organization.  I am proud of that time, and the things that we have accomplished.  Currently, my newlywed, Claire, is now starting her second of four years as President.  She is a passionate supporter who will do anything possible to make this organization succeed and thrive.

If you are interested in joining the club, you can visit our website, which is www.nyiboosterclub.org.  Stop by the table at Gate 3 and say hello.

As of Sunday, August 6th, I am heading to Buffalo to attend the National Hockey League Booster Club COnvention, which is being hosted by the Buffalo Sabres Booster Club.  During the next week, I will be talking about the convention, the interaction between other booster/fan club members and just what goes on in a social event like this.

Talk to you in Buffalo.  I will be ’shuffling’ along soon.

Gary