Soon the Amsterdam
games were upon them. With 12 players (some joining them from others
cities), they packed their bags for Amsterdam. The games were incredibly
fun and the team walked away with a record of 1-3.
1998 Amsterdam Gay Games Schedule
Aug. 1 3:15pm SoCal Blades [L 4-3]
Aug. 2 6:15 pm Team Seattle [L 5-3]
Aug. 3 11:30 am DC Nationals [W 3-2]
Aug. 6 8:30 am Boston Pride [L 11-3]
The
San Francisco Earthquakes at the 1998 Gay Games in Amsterdam
back row: Dan W. (guest from Pennsylvania), Karen M., Tom ?., David
B., guest from Canada, Mike K., Dan H. front row: Guest from Canada,
Mike R, John H., ?, Bob ?.
After the great experience at the games (both on and off the ice),
the team continued to play together in Oakland as the Huskies and
continued to grow.
“I remember that I joined because I hung out with the team
in Amsterdam (I went as a tourist, not a participant). I really
wanted the team to win, but they did not do so well. I was encouraged
by several people to take lessons and learn to play, then join the
team if I still wanted to,” says current team member Mark
B.
Although they were born on ice in Oakland, the team wanted to move
to San Francisco (since the crest does say "San Francisco Earthquakes").
In 1999, soon after the new Yerba Buena ice rink opened in downtown
San Francisco, the Earthquakes told their Huskie teammates in Oakland
that they were moving across the bay. They invited their teammates
to join them in San Francisco and be part of the official San Francisco
Earthquakes - a few did follow the team, knowing full well they
were playing for a gay hockey team. Those early years in San Francisco
were tough. Ten players on the bench was normal for years - as was
losing, but the Earthquakes stuck with it.
"At first we [the Earthquakes] lost a lot of games but we always
had fun. At the very beginning of this team I let it be known that
if you could not deal with losing then maybe this wasn't the team
for you. Winning is great, but everyone is treated as an equal on
this team... it's not like other teams where the best people play
the most and the lower skilled sub," founder Karen reiterates.
Soon the team started promoting themselves at events such as San
Francisco Pride and the Castro St. Fair. The team gathered more
players and started winning more games. With a full roster of 15,
the Earthquakes are now a well established team in their league
in San Francisco. They continue to have fun and continue to improve.
In 2002, making their second appearance at a Gay Games, they walked
away with the Gold for their division, a true testament to the founders’
love of hockey and their love for the team they founded.
“Winning the gold was the most awesome thing I've ever experienced
with the Quakes and really a highlight of my life-- I don't know
how else to say it. The team came together like it had never done
before and this experience seems to have really helped us grow.
Our record after our return indicates that to me”, says Mark
B.
The process of starting the Earthquakes has been a great experience
for Karen M., "We had our little incidences here and there
but for the most part it's worked out. We have [many] different
levels but it's all worked out. No other team is like ours and I
am so happy for the group of people I've met."
David B. reiterates Karen’s sentiment, “Playing hockey
for the Earthquakes has been one of the most enjoyable activities
of my life," he said. "In fact, I've already told my teammates
that I want to die on the ice and be buried in my hockey skates.
It isn’t too far from the truth."
The Earthquakes hockey team continues to grow. In the summer of
2003 the Earthquakes unveiled the newest addition to their family,
the Earthquakes Deux. "The Deux" is the sister team to
the San Fran Earthquakes. Appropriately enough they are making their
start in Oakland, on the same ice the San Francisco team started
so many years ago. Their first season also was filled with fun,
laughter, great folks, and the occasion al win. They continue to
grow and are always looking for more players. Who knows, maybe the
Deux will be seen on the ice at the next Gay Games.
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