USHL Team Disqualifies Fan From $50,000 Prize



From: OpposingViews.com

Every Saturday night, the USHL Indiana Ice has a contest in which a fan is given $50,000 if he can score a goal. It's a nearly impossible shot -- the contestant has to shoot the puck 175 feet, and it has to go into a three-inch slot in the goal.

This past Saturday, 73-year-old Dick Marsh vowed to give the money to charity if he were lucky enough to score. Well, he did it -- the puck somehow found its way through the slot.

But one problem -- the insurance company underwriting the contest refuses to pay up, saying Marsh had to be behind the red line when he made the shot. If you look at the video, he is indeed a couple of feet past the line. However, Marsh said he was never told about that specific rule.

All isn't lost, however. Sensing a firestorm of criticism, the team says it will make a monetary payment to St. Vincent Cardiovascular Services and the American Heart Association on behalf of the contestant.

“Despite the third-party call made on the qualification of the shot, which voided the contest pay-out, the Indiana Ice will be making a monetary donation to the St. Vincent Cardiovascular Services and the American Heart Association on behalf of the contestant,” said Paul Skjodt, President/CEO, Indiana Ice. “We are doing this because it was a close call and a generous gesture by a loyal fan."

8 comments:

dggoddard said...

Dealing with insurance companies on hole-in-one contests, half court hoops shots or puck shoots is a nightmare.

The Indiana Ice would have been better off offering a $1,000 cash prize than being embroiled in this mess.

puck swami said...

He deserves at least $45,000. That was an amazing shot, red line or not.

Reminds me of when DU used to have this kind of contest, when DU star Jeff Lamb's father won an Audi for shooting it through the hole back in 1985. The old barn went crazy and Lammer's dad drove the car right off the ice...

So the next year in '86, Audi didn't want to give away a car again, so United Airlines took over sponsorship and gave away a plane ticket for a great shot. As I recall, a certain DU blogger may remember his shot at glory...

dggoddard said...

Jeff Lamb likes to joke that he scored over 100 points during his DU career, but all anyone wants to talk about is his father's shot.

Like the Indiana fan, I didn't receive the trip to Hawaii on United. I gave it to the girl who had the signed program, but was too shy to go on the ice. She gave me $250 cash and I bought some golf clubs.

The first guy who congratulated me coming off the ice was Jeff Lamb's dad.

Anonymous said...

do we know who this insurance company is? i wouldn't mind writing them a letter

Anonymous said...

Uh.. other than the Lamb derailment....what's this got to do with DU?

Anonymous said...

headline is misleading - - the USHL had NOTHING to do with disqualification.

dggoddard said...

1). Indiana Ice play in the USHL.

2). Indiana Ice of the USHL purchased insurance policy for contest.

3). Indiana Ice employees did not properly instruct the fan or place the puck in the correct spot.

Anonymous said...

So being USHL, this is obviously a different team the the CHL Indianapolis Ice? Too bad a corporate sponsor wouldn't step up & pay it. That blue overweight mascot is pretty ridiculous looking.