From its days in the Romney Field House, all the way to its current residence in the Marano Campus Center, the Oswego State men’s ice hockey program has seen hundreds of people come and go.

This includes legendary coaches, with the likes of George Roll, Don Unger and current Laker’s head coach Ed Gosek overseeing the program for nearly 40 combined years. It also stems transcendent players, like Lakers all-time points leader Dave Lair and goaltender Andrew Hare, who backstopped Oswego State to consecutive Frozen Four appearances earlier this decade. This program has been a breeding ground for successful careers on and off the ice.

The one man who has outlasted all of them is unknown to many Lakers fans but is an irreplaceable figure to those in and around the program. His name is BillyDixon.

“Billy’s dad was the clock operator and helped out back in Romney Field House back at the start of the program,” Gosek said. “His dad would bring him to every game.”

For those who have not met Billy, he is at every Lakers home game in the standing room above the student section, watching from his wheelchair. Since birth, Billy has suffered from a disability that only allows him the use of one arm, but his commitment to being a fan has not stopped him from attending every home game but one since his childhood.

“[I’ve been following the team] since high school, I’d say close to 30 years.” Billy said.

Of the many interesting things about Billy, the relationship that has developed between him and one of the most distinguished programs in Div. III hockey is one of the most unique.

“Back [when Oswego State played at the Romney Field House], the campus police would either lift him up into the bleachers in his wheelchair into the little platform they built for him or they would bring him up into the tower,” Gosek said.

Billy’s family has a very unusual connection with the program, as his father was so involved from the beginning and his brother Danny eventually played for the Lakers, but it is his mother who is responsible for sustaining his ability to be a fan of the team.

“His mom, Marie, she’s a saint,” Gosek said. “She takes care of him, lifts him in and out of the wheelchair with a crane, and dresses him and feeds him and bathes him. It’s all her. For me personally, to see what she does, it’s a small part to make him happy and get him out of the house to give her a few free hours each weeknight when [we have a home game].”

For Gosek and the players, it is part of the game-day experience to be a part of the routine of getting Billy from his house to the rink.

“They’re a hockey family,” Gosek said. “When Billy’s dad passed away, we assumed the responsibility of bringing him to the games. In the 29 years I’ve been here, we pick him up for every home game. We go get him at 4:30, bring him to the game and then bring him home afterwards.”

Billy has forged another very special friendship in the program with the resident zamboni driver Mike Battelle, who is also involved with making sure Billy can see his favorite team play.

“I’ve known Billy since 2001,” Battelle said. “He’s come into the arena and around me, with the motorized [wheelchair] and viewed the ice, watch the guys practice and [be] probably the biggest fan they’ve ever had.”

Battelle detailed how tight it was for fans when the team played in the Romney Field House, but made sure to point out that Billy was always there in his seat, ready to cheer with the thousands of other fans night in and night out.

Even though Billy has a very unique situation, he is like any other fan of Oswego State. Just like the rest of the Laker faithful, his answer to what his favorite game is every season is exactly what you would expect.

“Plattsburgh,” Billy said.

With another Whiteout Weekend and another season passing by, there is sure to be one constant in the Oswego State men’s hockey program. Through all the turnover, Billy will be in his usual spot, watching every home game, cheering on his favorite team with everyone else.