Ed Snider's Impact Lives On In Youth Hockey Program
By Trang Do
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Ed Snider's youth hockey programs are run out of seven ice rinks in Philadelphia and New Jersey and serve 3,000 kids a year.
Monday, after the sad news that the Flyers founder and icon succumbed to cancer, many gathered to skate at the Laura Sims Skate House in Cobbs Creek and share memories in his honor. His profound impact reached far beyond the ice.
As Kaseir Archie explains, growing up in Kensington wasn't always easy.
"In the neighborhood where I grew up, there's a lot of things going on, and it's real easy to get knocked off your path," he said.
The most unexpected sport kept him on the right path.
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"Honestly, I wasn't really into the whole idea of trying out ice hockey, but the coach who was there, he was really persistent," Archie said. "He eventually got me to take the paper to my parents and get out on the ice and ever since then, I just fell in love with it."
It's exactly what Philadelphia Flyers' Chairman Ed Snider intended when he started his youth hockey foundation more than a decade ago. The foundation funds programs for inner city youth at rinks across the city.
"He was such a great person, the word great doesn't do him any justice," Archie said "He was amazing. I'm thankful everyday for everything he does for me, for the city of Philadelphia."
Though Snider has passed on, his legacy will continue.
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"He believes that Snider Hockey is his legacy and when we think about it and we have these conversations, 30, 40, 50 years from now, Snider Hockey is going to affect these communities in a positive way," said Bill Whitmore, Snider Hockey co-chair.
Now a freshman double major at Drexel's business school, Archie credits Snider Hockey with giving him and countless others the skills to succeed in and outside the rink.
"Seeing all of my friends, achieving just like I am, it's like something that I can't even say thank you enough to," he said. "And to Mr. Snider, his name is going to live forever."
Archie is still involved in Snider Hockey, as a part-time coach.
Like Snider, he has goals of being an entrepreneur one day and says he will use his success to help others.
