Kosice Ice-hockey Day presents new logo and name of the Kosice Arena

It was back in the 19th century when a university student in Montreal cut up a rubber ball to make the first puck. This is why the exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of organized ice-hockey in Slovakia was named "When ball gave way to puck". Last week Kosice Ice-hockey Day was celebrated as part of this exhibition, and at this event the new logo and name of the Kosice Arena were presented: Steel Arena - Kosice L. Trojak Stadium. In this way the name of the first Slovak to play in the Czechoslovak national team is preserved in the stadium's name. In 1947 he played his part in securing the first world champions' title, but tragically one year later his career was cut short in an aircraft accident over the English Channel.
The name Steel Arena reflects both the material the stadium is built from and the role of U. S. Steel in getting it completed. The Company is not only an important financial sponsor, but is also providing the Kosice Arena civic association with the project support work and legal services required for completion of the stadium, in the form of a gift. Kosice Ice-hockey Day was opened by the Mayor of the City Zdenko Trebula together with U. S. Steel Kosice President Christopher Navetta and the top representatives of Kosice Ice-hockey Club. At the Wednesday event Jaromir Dragan and Igor Liba were presented with Slovak Olympic Committee awards - bronze and silver Olympic rings. The day also featured an autograph session with Slovak hockey legends Bedrich Brunclik and Igor Liba as well as current Kosice players Arne Krotak and Jaroslav Kmit.
Those who could not come to the Technical Museum that day still have the chance to look round the exhibition of the history of Slovak hockey until May 3rd. You will find a large number of photographs and historical documents, but also a full set of hockey gear dating back 70 years, examples of Kosice hockey strips and victory trophies, and among the most impressive exhibits without a doubt is one of the first decorated helmets belonging to the renowned goalman Vladimir Dzurilla.

Students' conference

On Wednesday of last week, April 20th, the Technical University in Kosice hosted what was now the sixth in its series of annual international students' specialist research conferences, Metalurgia 2005. With generous support from the sponsors, one of the main ones being U. S. Steel Kosice, the event was organized by the Faculty of Metallurgy with the aim of improving the preparation of future steelmakers for independent specialist research activity and presentation of their own results. Participation in this competition event was open to every student on a full-time "inzinier" degree course. This opportunity was taken up by 53 students, including four from the Czech Republic and one from Poland, and in their contributions they presented the results from 51 research works.

Kosice City Days

Lasting nine days from April 30th to May 8th this year, the Kosice City Days celebrations are packed with many interesting events. Sunday, May 1st, at 11 am sees the official opening of the new season at Kosice Zoo, and at 1 pm there is the start of the vintage cars and motorbikes rally on the Main Street.
On Wednesday, May 4th, at 3.30 pm flowers will be planted out in the Municipal Park, accompanied by a performance by children from the English Learning Center in Kosice, and at 4.30 pm by the Immaculata monument there is the May Meeting with Kodurka, many of whose members are U. S. Steel Kosice employees. In the grand Kosice Day ceremony starting at 10 am on Saturday, May 7th, the City Awards and Mayor's Prizes will be presented to various personalities for their services to the development of the City of Kosice. Some of these will be representatives of USSK. The Kosice Day celebrations end with a concert by the Dvorsky brothers by the Immaculata monument at 7.30 pm on May 8th, followed by a great fireworks display at 9 pm on the Main Street.