And so it began…
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The year, 1999. The season, 1999-2000. It was the first taste of in-line hockey for Seneca Valley.
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When the in-line hockey craze came to Western Pennsylvania, all teams were at the varsity level. The teams originally involved were Seneca Valley Black, Seneca Valley Blue, Perry Traditional Academy, Avonworth/Northgate (a combined team), Hampton, and Vincentian. The first season was split into two sessions, much like our Elementary Program is today. Things were much different when in-line hockey first came to Seneca. There were team moms and even team managers, but no banquet. The cost of playing for the season was $90.00 per player and that included a jersey.
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Seneca Valley’s Black roster consisted of Bruce Aker, Adam Bayliche, Josh Dispennett, Ryan Gaus, Adam Gross, Greg Laffetry, and Drew Parker. Jeff Tindall was the coach. They enjoyed undefeated 10-0 seasons for both sessions, beating Perry Traditional Academy both times for the championships.
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Adam Bayliche, Josh Dispennett, and Drew Parker are given credit for starting the original SV In-line program.
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There is less remembered about Seneca Valley Blue’s roster and their first year. Those remembered on the roster are Jim Hughes, Jason Lancey, and Steve Lewis. Mike Quail was Blue’s coach. SV Blue went 8-2 the first session, losing only to SV Black and Perry Traditional.
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The second season yielded little change in the format of in-line hockey in Western Pennsylvania. However, one notable change was growth. Seneca Valley added a Junior Varsity team to their rosters along with Jim Ferrianola as their coach. North Allegheny, Canon McMillan, South Fayette, and Fox Chapel joined the league. Another change was in the way the seasons progressed. The original two session season changed to a one session season and has stayed the same for all levels of play except for the elementary level since that time.
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The second season also gave birth to a new tradition, the Banquet. The first banquet was a rather informal affair. It was held at the North Park Deck House lounge. There was no program, but the players gathered to celebrate their year, their growth, and their success.
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Seneca Valley Varsity Black won the championship for year two, beating South Fayette. The second season SV Varsity Black roster listed Adam Bayliche, Ryan Gaus, Bruce Aiker, Adam Gross, Drew Parker, Greg Lafferty, and Nick Larson. Mike Quail was the Varsity Black Head Coach.
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Steve Lewis’s mom, Mrs. Lewis, was instrumental in getting in-line hockey recognized as a varsity sport. This enabled players to letter, making in-line a notable sport which was very important to many young athletes.