Cresa Phoenix recently won Goodmans Chair Hockey Tournament, hosted by Goodmans Interior Structures and produced by Rooted in Good, Inc., an Arizona 501(c)3 operated by Goodmans employees. This year’s event raised $10,000 for First Place AZ, a local non-profit working hard to ensure that housing options for people with autism and other special abilities are as bountiful as they are for anyone else.
Competitive professionals from the Arizona commercial real estate, architecture, design and construction industries playfully showed off their creative moves and athletic skills while seated in Herman Miller Aeron chairs.
To win the tournament, the Cresa “Ruff Riders” prevailed in four chair hockey matches against Kitchell Contractors, Corgan, JLL and RSP Architects in the final match.
Final Results from the tournament:
- Cresa, “Ruff Riders” (1stPlace, Hockey Tournament, winning six Herman Miller Aeron chairs)
- RSP Architects, “Team Mario Kart” (2ndPlace, Hockey Tournament)
- Orcutt Winslow, “The Zombonies” (1stPlace Spirit Award, winning 12 Herman Miller Collection pieces)
- TriArc Architecture & Design, “Hammer Time” (Tie – 2ndPlace Spirit Award)
- richärd + bauer Architecture, “Fiesta Piñata” (Tie – 2ndPlace Spirit Award)
The concept of chair hockey is similar to ice hockey, except in chair hockey all players are seated in ergonomic, award-winning Herman Miller Aeron chairs. The games are played in three, four-minute periods with a rubber puck and wooden hockey sticks in a rink enclosed by cubicle walls.
The spirited chair hockey event was held at Goodmans Interior Structures showroom, 1400 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix. Hundreds of people watched and cheered on their favorite of the 16 real estate industry rivals which included architects, interior designers, general contractors and commercial real estate brokers.
“The vision for First Place has inspired the entire Goodmans team,” said Adam Goodman, president and CEO of Goodmans Interior Structures and also a member of the First Place AZ Capital Campaign Cabinet. “First Place Transition Academy students are already demonstrating that many adults with autism can learn to live independently by living independently with proper support and guidance. First Place is poised to empower thousands of people to use their skills to earn money and respect, increase self-worth and confidence, and be productive, contributing members of our community. On behalf of everyone at Goodmans, we’re proud to support this innovation that is changing the way the world thinks about autism.”
“What a pleasure it was getting the opportunity to compete along side other industry professionals all while benefitting First Place AZ,” said Grant Kingdon, Cresa advisor and Chair Hockey Team captain. “Our team performed beautifully and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Through the collection of tournaments from 2002 -2006, Goodmans donated more than $75,000 to the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC). Proceeds from 2016 event are benefiting the First Place capital campaign, now underway, that supports First Place-Phoenix, a new residential property being developed at 3rd Street and Catalina, in the heart of the city.
“This year’s Goodmans Chair Hockey was magical! The night was filled with spirit, energy and enormous heartfelt support for First Place and the adults who will call it home,” said Denise D. Resnik, First Place AZ founder and president/CEO, and SARRC co-founder. “The event was also transformational for our First Place Transition Academy students who were included as volunteers and joyfully animated. We’re grateful to Goodmans Interior Structures for the cherished experiences and memories — leading every day and in the most creative ways.”
This year’s key Chair Hockey sponsors included Herman Miller, Wells Fargo and Henry & Horne.
Goodmans Interior Structures showroom is now undergoing a complete renovation. In January the renewed showroom will be ready for it’s ribbon cutting, showcasing the speed of modern interior construction utilizing DIRTT architectural solutions. Utilizing technology, and mobile furnishings, local employees will temporarily relocate to a second Goodmans location in Phoenix or work from home throughout the construction phase, highlighting Goodmans’ approach to agile and flexible workplaces.
