Timeline

1995 DinoMights Founded by John Foley

Phillips, Powderhorn, and Central are Minneapolis neighborhoods with an infamous reputation for gangs and low test scores. Yet, in the midst of these conditions John Foley, the son of longtime Faith Covenant pastor Ross Foley, founded DinoMights in 1995. John saw past the statistics into the beautiful faces of the children. What he saw was a lack of opportunities and positive long-term relationships with caring adults. And so, DinoMights was founded to make a wholistic impact on the lives of Minneapolis inner city youth.


1996

  • DinoMights form board, set mission, get incorporated
  • In just 2nd year, DinoMights win the city-wide Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Championship
  • Sports Reporter, Eric Gislason features DinoMights on KSTP Channel 5 News

1997

1998

  • PeeWees become official members of USA hockey and MN Amateur Hockey (MAHA)
  • Squirts win MPRB City Championship
  • KARE 11 TV broadcasts story featuring DinoMights
  • PeeWee, Spencer travels to Denver, Colorado for Willie O'Ree All-Star Game, starting a DinoMight tradtion

1999

  • Three teams (Squirts/PeeWees/Bantams)
  • Star Tribune Article on diversity in hockey features DinoMights
  • DinoMight Squirt, Maurice, becomes a part of NHL history by unveiling the jersey and logo for the expansion Minnesota Wild
  • NHL gives $10,000 A.S.S.I.S.T Grant
  • Learn 2 Skate program begins for Richard Green Central Elementary School 1st graders
  • PeeWees win Twin Cities 'C' Championship; 100 fans attend

2000

  • Four Teams (Squirts/Girls/PeeWees/Bantams)
  • Coach Steve Hunt writes article for Christianity Today featuring DinoMights
  • Bantams take 2nd place in Chicago Tourney

2001

  • Mites team added (Mites/Squirts/Girls/PeeWees)
  • Girls win MPRB City Championship

2002

  • Six Dino alumni, Directors John and Erin, Coach Lawrence, and mom Rebecca go to Cape Town, South Africa for hockey and mission trip.
  • PeeWees win the 'C' Championship for 2nd time

2003

  • NHL Players Association donates 25 sets of brand new equipment
  • PeeWees are Eagle River, Wisconsin Tournament Consolation champs

2004

  • Fall Banquet celebrates a decade of DinoMights
  • Long-time coaches, tutors, and board members recognized and entered into the inaugural class of the DinoMight Hall of Fame; Justin Bryant is the first alumnus inducted into the Hall of Fame
  • Justin Bryant is the first DinoMight alumnus to serve as a volunteer coach
  • Squirts complete an undefeated season by winning the championship in overtime. They dub their season 'miracle' in honor of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team

2005

  • Squirts, Jalin and Jessica help the Governor unveil the golden shovel trophy at the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships media event
  • Second Mite team added, (Mites Blue/Mites White/Squirts/Girls/PeeWees)

2006

  • Squirts make third consecutive appearance in Championship, winning thier fifth overall title
  • Girls win MPRB Championship

In 1995 DinoMights served 15 youth with one hockey team; the organization has grown and is serving over 80 youth and five hockey teams with plans of further expansion next year. The participants are from racially diverse backgrounds including African American, European American, Latino American, and Asian American. Those who have grown up in the program are graduating high school and going on to college. They are becoming web designers, realtors, doctors, and professionals. So next time you hear about Central, Phillips, or Powderhorn, no matter what they may be saying, remember that there is Hockey in the Hood!