Breaking the Ice

By Parker Fields

“The sliding of skates on fresh ice, the crack of the puck against the sticks: hockey has arrived in Bowling Green!” said an enthusiastic fan as the Bowling Green High School Purples faced off against the South Warren Spartans in a game that is sure to go down in local history. On Friday night, the two rival schools went head to head at the the SOKY Ice Rink, the first major sporting event to be hosted at the new rink.

What began as a seasonal outdoor skating rink has now become one of Bowling Green’s premier recreational facilities. Former Bowling Green-Warren County Unified Government Judge-Executive Joey Gorman, whose father Doug Gorman served in office a quarter-century ago, championed the construction of a state-of-the-art indoor ice rink at Buchanon Park on Nashville Road–an idea that first rose to widespread discussion in the “What Could BG Be?” public conversation in 2025. The project, designed to promote both regional tourism and community engagement, broke ground in 2045 and was officially opened last November.

“This project was about meeting the needs of a growing Bowling Green,” said Gorman during the rink’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. He appeared alongside current Unified Government Judge-Executive Tim Love, who took office in January 2047 and oversaw the completion of the rink, which was started during Gorman’s administration. “This new rink will be a place to host families, visitors and athletes, all in one space.” The SOKY Ice Rink will serve as a year-round resource to host recreational leagues and public skating events.

Recognizing the enthusiasm amongst students, BGHS principal Melanie Dickinson met with Athletic Director Clay Hendrick to discuss the possibility of forming a team.

Dickinson and Hendrick tapped John Klein, former Nashville Predator and BGHS alumni, to become the first head coach of the Bowling Green High School hockey team. His long-time experience with the sport was a catalyst for many students and parents' involvement in the team. “It’s so special to see a sport I love be introduced to the school and city that I also love,” Klein said. “These kids are eager to learn, and I am beyond excited to guide them.”

Friday night’s match marked a new chapter in the longstanding rivalry between Bowling Green and South Warren. While the Purples and Spartans have battled on the football field, basketball court, baseball diamond, and bass fishing, the hockey rink brought a fresh intensity to the competition. The sold out crowd at SOKY was amped up as the starting lineups were announced. Students taunting the opposing team; chants echoing throughout the facility–it was electric as both teams took the ice.

BGHS struck first with a breakaway goal in the opening minutes, leading the Purples fans to rise to their feet, on which they would remain for the entirety of the game. South Warren refused to give in to the audience, however, as they responded with a perfectly executed power play to put the score back to an even 1-1.

By the end of the second period, tensions in SOKY were rising, at a fair 2-2, the Purples were desperately trying to find a weakness in the Spartan defense. Spartan center Drew Robbins had a clean shot that was miraculously saved by Purples goaltender Jordan Derryberry, keeping South Warren from taking their lead. Bowling Green was searching for an opening, and that came in the third period when right winger Dominic Moore hit a blistering slapshot from the blue line and straight into the back of the goal. The crowd was sent into a frenzy, with the players storming the ice and piling on their goaltender.

Emily Mills, Bowling Green-Warren County Unified School District’s founding superintendent and a proud alumni of BGHS, was excitedly watching from the stands. “I grew up here, went to school here, taught here, and now, as superintendent, I’ve seen the incredible growth and transformation of our schools and community,” Mills said. “Hockey is just another example of how we’re moving forward–creating new opportunities for students and bringing people together.”

As the Purples celebrated their hard-fought victory, one thing was clear: hockey has found a home in Bowling Green.