In the Fall of 1997, the Men’s Roller Hockey Club of the University of Pennsylvania found its two teams switching roles. The former "B" team now appeared to be the dominant group with a few new outstanding rookies and many returning veterans, while the former "A" team lost several members to graduation. Bill Lear took on full leadership of the former "A" team, while Brendan Brennan ran the "B" team as Captain. The teams continued to compete at the Woodhaven Sports Center, but also began to compete against other colleges for the first time in club history.

During the Fall of 1997, junior Brendan Brennan began working to take the club to the next level – intercollegiate competition. Although there were no other organized teams in the area at the time, Brendan set out to gather contacts at area schools and assist them in starting their own teams. A letter from Brendan printed in Roller Hockey Magazine sparked national awareness of the effort. Soon a group of teams from Buffalo to Virginia along the East Coast was talking about setting up tournaments and leagues. Brendan was chosen to be the first Chairman of the Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association.

At last, the dream of intercollegiate roller hockey competition was becoming a reality!

In the Spring of 1998, the University of Pennsylvania Roller Hockey Club hosted the Quaker Cup at the Class of ’23 Icerink (melted). Organized by junior Brendan Brennan and outstanding freshman Dan Gabbay, this would be the first organized intercollegiate roller hockey competition in Philadelphia! Teams from the following six schools participated:

1^st Place University of Delaware 5 wins, 0 losses
2^nd Place Penn State University 4 wins, 1 loss
3^rd Place University of Pennsylvania 2 wins, 3 losses
4^th Place Drexel University 2 wins, 3 losses
5^th Place Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine 2 wins –3 losses
6^th Place Beaver College 0 wins, 5 losses

The club finished a successful season and bid farewell to graduating seniors Dino Kontokosta, Bill Lear, Dave Aidekman, Sid Jacoby, Jason Young, and Dennis Campbell.

1997-1998 Officers:
President: Brendan Brennan
VP: David Aidekman
Treasurer: Bill Lear

Roster 1997-1998
Stats Fall 1997
Stats Spring 1998

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Created by Brendan T. Brennan