Each sport has its own sacred traditions, but the Eastern hockey club has one that’s just a little different.

Each week, members of the Eastern hockey club participate in a weekly shootout. The loser of the shootout is donned as the “Bohmer.”

As the Bohmer, the player must wear an old hockey helmet for the week — everywhere.

The helmet must be worn around campus, in class; wherever the player goes, the helmet goes.

“This tradition has been going on for about 15 to 20 years,” Andrew Maronich, junior forward, said. “It was started to keep things light after practice, and to work on the shootout game scenario.”

Maronich said he thinks the tradition got its name after a former player who would frequently lose shootouts.

“Rumor has it, it was named after a player on the club team, who seemed to lose the shootout more often than not, and that’s how it got its name.”

He said the Bohmer tradition is something that former club members make sure the team continues.

“It is something that the alumni make sure we continue to do, and is something that we all participate in during our annual alumni game every year,” he said.

“We have been doing it for the last three years that I have been here at EIU, and I do not see it stopping any time soon.”

A frequent winner (or loser) of the Bohmer is Steven Kriegshauser, a junior sports studies major and defenseman on the team.

“It’s always embarrassing the first few minutes of class as all the students give you weird looks, especially if you’re late,” Kriegshauser said. “They all find it funny, and it always lightens the mood in class.”

To assure that the helmet is being worn in class, players are required to take a photo with their professor while wearing the helmet.

“As for the professors, they get a kick out of it,” he said. “Most even know what it means from past players in their class. They love that we added that we have to take a picture with them.”

Despite the embarrassment, Kriegshauser said he enjoys the team’s tradition.

“It lightens the mood after a tough practice, and when we see them in class wearing it or see the picture afterwards everyone has a good laugh,” he said.

“We do it just for that reason, it’s a good time that everyone takes part in. It has been a tradition for years and it connects the school with the team, which is always good for fan support.”

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].