There was no ribbon-cutting ceremony or first spade stuck into the ground, yet the formation of the Hicksville High School Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) captivated a roomful of past, present and future players at the 9th Annual Alumni Games and Benefit last month.

Bill Alonge, 30-year head coach, and Charles Hauck, general manager from 1973-79, became the first inductees in an emotionally stirring scene witnessed by players representing five decades of Hicksville Hockey. New members will be added each year following the annual Alumni Games. The HHOF was created by the Alumni Association to honor the contributions of players and coaches who helped provide the history and tradition that comes with being Long Island's oldest high school hockey program.

For Alonge, his induction was a moment he will never forget. "I was at the podium and it wasn't until someone nodded toward the crowd that I realized the entire room was standing," said Alonge. "A whole lot of hockey was passing before my eyes."

A 1972 graduate of Hicksville High School, Alonge rescued the program from extinction midway through his senior year. After the coach resigned at mid-season, Alonge approached the league and requested he be responsible for the team as player-coach. He's been a fixture behind the bench ever since, with his career now spanning 500 games.

Hauck was inducted based on his commitment and dedication to the program. His tenure (1973-79) started during the varsity careers of his sons Dave and Dennis, and continued for years after they had graduated. Hauck, who now resides in Florida, remains connected to the program, and has traveled to be part of the Alumni Games before.

"My dad kept telling me he had to get on the road," said Hauck. "I knew he was about to be part of something very special, but he didn't. Our entire family was extremely moved."

Alonge expressed a debt of gratitude to his first mentor. "Charlie got me through my first seven years and taught me things I still fall back on," he said. "In a sense, he taught me how to deal with the parents and the players. I wasn't prepared to interact with parents trying to tell me how to run the team. I was still learning how to deal with my own parents at the time."

For further information on Hicksville Hockey, the Alumni Games or the Hicksville Hockey Hall of Fame, e-mail Coach Alonge or a member of the Alumni Association at www.hicksvillehockey.com.