February 15-16 will mark the sixth annual “Iron Man” competition in Corning. It’s a hockey tournament with a twist, one that frequently requires those involved to show that they are indeed made of “sterner stuff” than just ordinary athletes. As many as 72 players, perhaps even more, will participate in abbreviated games often in succession, in hopes of claiming the “Skate Trophy”, symbolic of the tournament’s championship.

The idea isn’t original to Corning - Corning players admit to borrowing the idea from Arcola - but the host team has made a few personalized changes to the format, and the rules have been adjusted since the tournament’s inception. The teams should have at least seven players to survive, but only three skaters and a goalie take to the ice for each side during the game. The game itself consists of two 10-minute periods. Eventually one team will outlast all the others. In addition to the coveted trophy there is prize money involved for the finalists. Each team pays an entry fee of $100 which gives them on-going hockey as well as considerable socializing to enjoy. Indeed, some of the social aspects have been known to influence the quality of hockey, but the participants obviously enjoy the entire experience.

The rink committee (meaning its members, their wives, mothers or girlfriends) handles the concession booth with much help from the rest of the community. Many local folk come for the entertainment and the food, perhaps as many as 200 over the tournament’s life. All proceeds from the tournament - hockey, food, and bar - are returned to the rink to help defray its expenses, and as this has been in the thousands of dollars, it has been greatly appreciated.

This year will be the first year a major prize will be raffled. Since hockey season began, team and committee members have been selling tickets on a 27-inch wide-screen LCD TV and DVD player. In the past, door prizes were awarded provided by various sponsors.

Many small rural communities use imagination and initiative to develop fund raising activities. Of course the activities must also provide entertainment, they must be fun. The “Iron Man” tournament is one of those ideas the citizens of the Corning area have implemented. Others include the annual Casino Nite and dinner theatre. However, in February there is only one show in town - The Iron Man.