PirateQ 
The energy was electric on Friday, Feb. 21, as Pensacola State College students, faculty and staff filled the Pensacola Bay Center for College Night with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. Excitement buzzed outside the arena as community members tried their luck at PSC’s Prize Board, walking away with college swag, including pennants, lanyards and lip balm.
Inside, PSC students, faculty and staff packed the designated College sections, creating a sea of school spirit as they cheered for the home team. TRiO Academic Advisor and Life Skills Coach Lindsey Pieknik ordered matching T-shirts saying “Straight Outta the Penalty Box” for her husband Daniel, PSC Workday Student Financials Analyst, and their son Eldin to celebrate the four-year-old’s first hockey match during which he got to practice his salute with Maverick, the Ice Flyers’ mascot – a real highlight for him, along with seeing the Zamboni on the ice!
Representatives from Charter Academy, TRiO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Veterans Upward Bound, and the PSC Foundation connected with community members, sharing information about scholarships, programs and opportunities at PSC and treating them with some PSC swag.
“It was good to partner with the Ice Flyers organization, which is such an amazing feature of our community, and to serve our community as we answered questions about PSC Foundation scholarships, Charter Academy, dual enrollment, and programs for our veterans,” said Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Jon Stephenson.
One of the highlights of the evening came when PSC students, alumni, faculty and staff had the honor of holding the American flag during the National Anthem. Then, with all eyes on the ice at the other end of the rink, PSC President Ed Meadows took the ceremonial puck drop, officially launching the matchup between the Ice Flyers and the Evansville Thunderbolts.
Sponsoring College Night provided PSC with a valuable recruiting tool, as the Ice Flyers’ league spans from Virginia and Illinois. With Evansville fans in attendance from Indiana, PSC’s outreach extended beyond the local community, showcasing the College on a larger stage.
The first period ended scoreless, but the excitement never waned. Pete the Pirate and crew energized the crowd, zipping around the rink on a golf cart and launching PSC T-shirts to eager fans. Ice Flyers mascot Maverick tried to catch up for a ride, but Pete and his crew outran him and entertained the crowd, much to their delight.
PSC Transportation Manager Richard Derrick, accompanied by his six-year-old grandson Mason, drove the golf cart, a first for Richard. “At first, I was really nervous because I thought we might slip around on the ice, but we were fine. I used to live up north, so I was used to driving on ice. We had a really great time!”
The second period saw a thrilling goal for the home team, pushing the Flyers to a 1-0 lead heading into the final stretch. In the third period, the action heated up as both teams fought fiercely for the win, but the Thunderbolts ultimately edged out the Flyers with a 4-3 victory.
“It was a fun networking event for our students and staff and a chance for our employees to enjoy a night out with their families,” added Dr. Stephenson. “Assistant Director of Admissions Amanda Salter and her husband even got to have an evening alone together for the first time since having their child!”
Despite the final score, PSC’s College Night was a resounding success – an unforgettable evening of school spirit, community engagement and high-energy hockey. Puck dropped!