Charles Barkley drops the puck for SUNY Fredonia’s game vs SUNY Potsdam on Saturday – December 7, 2024). (Photo via Fredonia State Athletics)
This is a bit of a change from our typical “Weekend in Review”, but it’s so unique that it has to be discussed. This past weekend, SUNY Fredonia made the news not as much for their games per-say, but for an appearance that no one but them expected: NBA Legend & TV Personality Charles Barkley.
Barkley, 61, is known for his playing days in the NBA and his Emmy Award-winning studio show “Inside the NBA” with Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, & Kenny Smith.
He’s spoke about his interest and praise for hockey in the past, frequently calling NHL players the toughest athletes there is, most notably quoted saying “If an NBA player got 70 stitches he’d retire” (this was in response to Morgan Barron, the Winnipeg Jets forward who was cut in the face during game one of the 2023 NHL playoffs).
This weekend was a little different however, SUNY Fredonia was celebrating their alumni weekend for their games Friday & Saturday vs SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Potsdam. Barkley was reportedly friends with Fredonia hockey alum Craig Conley. Conley, Class of 1995, Fredonia Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee in 2000, was a two-time All-American, and a member of the NCAA runner-up squad in 1995. He currently holds the career assists record of 128, 2nd in career points with 211, 2nd in single-season points with 72, and 3rd in career goals with 83.
In the Blue Devils game vs Plattsburgh, they got the job done, shutting out the Cardinals 2-0. Postgame, Barkley enjoyed himself at a local establishment, prompted by the crowd, gave a little speech which can be seen in this video below, where he says:
“I went to the Fredonia State game tonight. They won two to zip. I’ve never been to Fredonia State before, you guys have been amazing. So for me, we’re going to play some music that I listen to right now, and for the next five songs, for the next five songs, all drinks are free at the bar!” The crowd goes wild…
Charles Barkley thanks SUNY Fredonia students and community, purchases drinks for everyone. (Video by @BarstoolFredonia on Instagram).
If you’re like me, you thought this was likely a one-night thing, nothing more, but it wasn’t. Barkley showed up the next night for the Blue Devils game vs SUNY Potsdam, where Fredonia got another W, winning 2-0, shutting out the Bears. Fredonia was 3-8-0 entering this weekend, they hadn’t gotten a weekend sweep yet this season, they also hadn’t gotten a shutout this season until this past weekend, coincidence? I think not!
Charles Barkley drops the puck between SUNY Fredonia & SUNY Potsdam. (Video by @needham_edits on Instagram)
Fredonia Men’s Hockey posted a photo of Barkley on Instagram after the Plattsburgh game, to which longtime Head Coach Jeff Meredith commented that Barkley will be doing the honorary puck drop prior to tomorrow’s game vs Potsdam. This of course, went viral as well…
Another viral moment during the weekend, was the hilarious and eye-opening photo of Charles driving the Zamboni during various periods. This one was taken by the Barstool Fredonia Instagram Account and is shown below, it’s quite the site to see.
Charles Barkley whips around in the Fredonia zamboni during multiple periods. (Photo by @BarstoolFredonia on Instagram).
After seeing this I tweeted out:
“The biggest story of the #d3hky weekend?
Tons of ranked matchups?
Teddy Bear Tosses?
Upsets?
Nope, Charles Barkley.”
What a weekend for Fredonia hockey, no offense to the Blue Devils, but I’d have to guess this is the most press they’ve gotten since the SUNYAC title in the ’06 – ’07 season. Good for them, good for Chuck, and good for Division III hockey!
