SUNY Potsdam

« Back to Recent News

SUNY Potsdam Gears Up for 20th Annual Bear Pride Night

Campus & Community Invited for Free Events, Giveaways & Family Fun at SUNY Potsdam's Bear Pride Night on Feb. 16

Potsdam, NY (02/07/2024) — SUNY Potsdam is looking to pack the Maxcy Hall Athletic Complex on Friday, Feb. 16, as the College gears up for its 20th annual Bear Pride Night.

Once again, through the combined efforts of the Offices of Alumni Relations, Student Life and the Bears Division of Athletics, SUNY Potsdam will invite area alumni, fans and students to cheer on the Bears and take part in fun activities and promotions throughout the evening.

"We couldn't be more excited to celebrate the biggest winter sports night for our Potsdam Bears. We decided to add additional events, giveaways and fun activities to make our 20th Bear Pride Night the best one yet. We hope to see lots of alumni, students, families and friends there for a fun evening celebrating our student athletes," said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne Smith.

The event schedule includes:

  • 3 p.m.: Women's Hockey vs. Morrisville (Maxcy Ice Arena)
  • 4 to 6 p.m.: Community Open Swim (Maxcy Pool)*
  • 5:30 p.m.: Women's Basketball vs. Oneonta (Welsh Gymnasium)
  • 7 p.m.: Men's Hockey vs. Fredonia (Maxcy Ice Arena)
  • 7:30 p.m.: Men's Basketball vs. Oneonta (Welsh Gymnasium)

* Please note that all children age 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult for the open swim.

PACES, Potsdam Subway, Great Northern Printing, AT&T and Sergi's will team up with the Bears in sponsoring what has become one of the premier winter sports evenings in the North Country. As part of the effort, numerous promotions and giveaways will occur throughout the evening, including:

  • Free Bear Pride T-shirts
  • Coupons for free subs and pizza
  • Chuck-A-Puck
  • Student Spirit Contest
  • $500 raffle drawing
  • Contests to win a smart TV
  • Prizes from AT&T

Free admission is available for all fans, including:

  • SUNY Potsdam alumni by visiting the Alumni Relations table in the Maxcy Hall lobby. Bear alums can reconnect with friends in the hospitality room during the games as well.
  • All area school district students and families.
  • All North Country fans and friends.

For information about Bear Pride Night, contact Bill Mitchell at (315) 267-2307 or mitchewj@potsdam.edu.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

###

Media Attachments

SUNY Potsdam will mark its 20th Bear Pride Night with free events, giveaways and family-friendly fun, including a community open swim, along with men’s and women’s basketball and hockey games, on Friday, Feb. 16.

SUNY Potsdam's Bear Pride Night will include a women's basketball game versus SUNY Oneonta at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16 in the Jerry Welsh Gymnasium, among other free fun events.

The Potsdam Bears men's hockey team will take on Fredonia at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16 in the Maxcy Ice Arena as part of Bear Pride Night.

SUNY Potsdam will mark its 20th Bear Pride Night with free events, giveaways and family-friendly fun, including a community open swim, along with men’s and women’s basketball and hockey games, on Friday, Feb. 16.

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out