Syracuse Club Sports

Richard “Dick” Van Winkle was the driving force behind the creation of Syracuse University Men’s Hockey, founding the Syracuse University Hockey Association and serving as its first captain, coach, and goaltender. Through persistence and vision, he helped establish a sustainable hockey program at Syracuse, advocating for university recognition and building the foundation for long-term success. In 1962, he further shaped the collegiate hockey landscape by founding the Finger Lakes Collegiate Hockey League, which endured for nearly two decades.

Beyond hockey, Van Winkle was a well-rounded student leader and later a pioneer in media, co-founding Surfing East Magazine and earning induction into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame. He enjoyed a successful career in advertising and remained active in his community as a volunteer firefighter. His legacy lives on through the program he built and the generations of players who have followed.