More than 1,000 come to view Stanley Cup, rally with John McDonough Sept. 6

John McDonough with the men's and women's hockey teams

McDonough triumphantly lifts the Stanley Cup to the roar of the rally crowd.

More than 1,000 people came to Saint Mary’s Friday, Sept. 6, to get a photo taken with the Stanley Cup, thanks to 1975 alumnus John McDonough, President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, who chose to share the Stanley Cup with his alma mater and with the greater Winona area.

Just prior to the public viewing, McDonough triumphantly lifted the Cup over his head to the cheers of a large crowd in Gostomski Fieldhouse during the rally. SMU hockey legends were also recognized, and the crowd enjoyed presentations by McDonough and Brother William, as well as a Blackhawks highlight video. During the event, a plaque recognizing McDonough’s accomplishments was unveiled. The plaque will permanently hang in the Regan Lobby of the SMU Ice Arena.

“My academic prowess wasn’t great but I learned a lot about commitment; I learned a lot about drive. I learned a lot about relationships,” McDonough told the rally crowd. “I am grateful for what this great university has given to me.”

He told audience members, “Please be brave enough to have big dreams; they just might come true.”

McDonough’s visit also included a meeting with the SMU Athletic Advisory Council and a luncheon with Winona-area business leaders, during which Winona Mayor Mark Peterson presented McDonough with a proclamation declaring Sept. 6, 2013, as “John F. McDonough Day” in Winona.

“We are grateful to John for sharing his time, for sharing the Cup and for sharing his championship spirit and inspiring leadership with our communities,” said Brother William. “We look forward to John’s continued success; we know that he will continue to accomplish amazing things, and we’re proud to call him one of our own.”

To see photos from the day, go to www.smumn.edu/photos.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here are some ways Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

Coverage of the Stanley Cup visit circulated widely in both publications and online news throughout the U.S. after the Associated Press picked up the story.

After-event coverage included: KTTC, Winona Radio, Winona Post, KSTP and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal. Even John Buccigross, an anchor from ESPN, tweeted a picture of Donny Nadeau’s granddaughter, Avery, sitting in the Stanley Cup.

Check out:

• WKBT La Crosse – http://bit.ly/17HluBV

• Winona Daily News – http://bit.ly/18XJ26R

• WXOW La Crosse – http://bit.ly/15XWOp7

Blackhawks President, CEO John McDonough '75 to bring Stanley Cup to SMU today

In case you haven’t noticed, the Stanley Cup is coming to Saint Mary's! Saint Mary’s 1975 alumnus John McDonough, President and CEO of the Blackhawks, is bringing the National Hockey League Championship trophy to the Winona campus today, Friday, Sept. 6, and you are all invited to join us for a public rally and for an exclusive SMU viewing of the Cup.

The Saint Mary’s community private viewing of the Cup will be from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. At this time, a limited number of SMU students, faculty, staff and alumni (and their immediate families) will have the opportunity for an up-close photo with the Cup. Wristbands will be distributed at 2 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the Plaza entrance into the Toner Student Center nearest Campus Safety. You are welcome to begin lining up at 1:30 p.m. Students should obtain permission from faculty if this event conflicts with class schedules. Everyone must bring their SMU ID cards. Large bags and purses will not be allowed in the facility and smaller bags will be subject to search.

Everyone is then invited to a public rally from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in Gostomski Fieldhouse — during which McDonough will address the crowd, SMU hockey legends will be recognized, and the Cup will be on display. Enjoy a Blackhawks highlight video, along with photos, music and an abundance of championship spirit. A limited number of souvenir mementos will be available. If you are unable to attend, check out a live stream of the rally at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/smu.portal.

Following the rally, a limited number of attendees will have an opportunity to take pictures with the Stanley Cup from 5 to 7 p.m. in Gostomski Fieldhouse. The public is invited to begin lining up at 1:30 p.m. outside of the entrance to the Toner Student Center’s Hall of Fame Room. Due to time constraints with the Cup, only those with wristbands will have the opportunity for an up-close photo. The doors will open at 3:30 p.m. at which time wristbands will be given out. If you do not receive a wristband, you will still be allowed into the facility to see and photograph the Cup from a reasonable distance. Please note that for security reasons, large bags and purses will not be permitted into the facility, and smaller bags or purses will be subject to search.

Saint Mary’s volunteers will direct attendees on where to park and line up. Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the schedule is subject to change.

Blackhawks President, CEO John McDonough '75 to bring Stanley Cup to SMU Sept. 6

The Stanley Cup is coming to Saint Mary's! Saint Mary’s 1975 alumnus John McDonough, President and CEO of the Blackhawks, is bringing the National Hockey League Championship trophy to Saint Mary's Winona campus on Friday, Sept. 6, and you are all invited to join us for a public rally and for an exclusive SMU viewing of the Cup!

Three years ago, the Chicago Blackhawks put an end to a 49-year Stanley Cup drought, earning their first NHL title since 1961 with a stunning win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

McDonough was right there hoisting the Cup with the rest of the Blackhawk players and staff.

On June 24, Chicago did it again, as the Blackhawks claimed their second Stanley Cup title in a three-year span with a clinching 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

And on Friday, Sept. 6, McDonough will bring the championship spirit — and the cup — to Saint Mary’s.

“On behalf of Saint Mary’s, let me say how honored we are that John has chosen to share the Stanley Cup with his alma mater and how proud we are of John and his continued accomplishments,” said Brother William. “Under his leadership, the Blackhawks have taken home the Cup twice, and the Saint Mary’s community has celebrated with him every step of the way.”

The Saint Mary's community private viewing of the cup will be from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. At this time, a limited number of SMU students, faculty, staff and alumni (and their immediate families) will have the opportunity for an up-close photo with the cup. Wristbands will be distributed at 2 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the Plaza entrance into the Toner Student Center nearest Campus Safety. You are welcome to begin lining up at 1:30 p.m. Students are encouraged to obtain permission from faculty if this event conflicts with class schedules. Everyone must bring their SMU ID cards.

Everyone is then invited to a public rally from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in Gostomski Fieldhouse — during which McDonough will address the crowd and the Cup will be on display.

Following the rally, a limited number of attendees from the public will also have an opportunity to take pictures with the Stanley Cup from 5 to 7 p.m., in the fieldhouse. Due to time constraints with the Cup, only those with wristbands will have the opportunity for an up-close photo. Wristbands will be given out beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Hall of Fame room in the Gostomski Fieldhouse. The public is invited to begin lining up in the Hall of Fame room at 1:30 p.m.

Saint Mary’s volunteers will direct attendees on where to park and line up. Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the schedule is subject to change.

SMU ‘In the News’

Here is one way Saint Mary’s is making the news this week:

• KTTC, WKBT, Winona Radio, the Winona Post and the Winona Daily News have announced the Stanley Cup visit to Saint Mary’s Sept. 6. This opportunity will continue to bring the university positive visibility.