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LOWELL, Mass. -- The UMass Lowell athletic department unveiled its season long 50th anniversary celebration for the River Hawk Hockey team on Tuesday night at the annual season ticket holder barbeque at the Tsongas Center.

The River Hawks unveiled the 50th anniversary logo at the BBQ and also announced that the team will wear throwback uniforms during the Friday, December 9th contest against longtime rival Merrimack College at the Tsongas Center in Hockey East play.

"We are excited to start our 50^th season of Lowell Hockey," said UMass Lowell Hockey Head Coach Norm Bazin. "There have been some exceptional players and memories during that time and we plan to highlight some of those moments throughout our anniversary season. I encourage people to become season ticket holders so they can have great seats for this special season."

The team will also conduct fan voting for the best River Hawk players from each 10 year period with All-Decade teams from the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, and 2000's, culminating with a collector's series of pint glasses commemorating each decade team and jersey, presented by Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union. Fan voting will commence for the teams in the coming weeks and the glasses will be given out at a select game during each month throughout the hockey season.

The River Hawks will also have select giveaways and promotions throughout the season honoring 50 years of hockey history for the program.

UMass Lowell will use the hashtag #UMLHockey50 commemorating all things UMass Lowell Hockey throughout the entire 2016-17 season on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).