The 1980-1981 season marked the debut of Varsity Ice Hockey at Shenendehowa. Even then, funding, equipping and transporting a 20-player team, renting ice and financing coaches and game officials was a major expense. Due to other priorities, the school athletic department couldn't provide full funding for such a varsity program. And so it was proposed to the Board of Education that funds would be made available, without any commitment from the school district. The idea of an independently funded Varsity Hockey Team was approved and the Shenendehowa Varsity Hockey Booster Club was organized to provide fund-raising support, publicity and other essential activities. An intense fund-raising effort was launched. The community support was outstanding, and additionally, each player on the roster contributed financially to the program, as is still the case today.