Union Hockey’s Kosack Raises $45,000 for Capital Region Kids

At the top of every player page on the Union Athletics website, it asks the question, "Why U?"

It's a simple question, phrased in a way that allows student-athletes to share their thoughts on why they chose to attend Union College, and participate in college athletics with the Dutchmen. Most players tout the school's academic prowess, while others cite the incredible support staff they work with.

I recently searched for the player page of Josh Kosack, captain of the Union college hockey team. Under the "Why U" section, Kosack says the following:

"Because Union is a school of true character with great academics backed up with a great hockey program."

A school of true character is a unique answer, and an incredible compliment to pay an institution. Now, whether Kosack has gained character through his time at Union, or he was born with it, can be debated, and in all honesty, the answer is probably somewhere in the middle.

Whatever the answer may be, you'll be hard-pressed to find a student, athlete and person with more true character than Josh Kosack.

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A native of Oakville, Ontario, Kosack was a junior  in college when he first got involved with the C.O.C.O.A. House, an acronym that is shorthand for Children of Our Community Open to Achievement. Kosack began leaving tickets to his games for young kids, and when one kid turned into a group of eager young hockey fans, Kosack's new following needed a name.

And thus, Kozi's Kids was born.

The Kozi's Kids group is made up of kids who attend the COCOA House, which established in 1996 by Union College student Rachel Graham. The house provides tutoring, enrichment and guidance opportunities for Capital Region kids, all of whom may not be receiving the same kind of attention at school or at home.

When the holiday season rolled around in 2021, it was time for Kosack and Kozi's Kids to organize their second annual holiday donation drive. After raising a modest, but still impactful, $5,000 last year, Kosack upped the ante in 2021. He set a goal for $20,000.

He and his group raised $45,000, instead.

Representatives from the C.O.C.O.A. House estimate that Kosack's contributions, totaling roughly $50,000 over two years, will help to bolster the house's initiatives for the next two decades, if not more.

So, when Josh Kosack praises the true character of the institution he has called home for five years, you can rest assured that he knows what he's talking about. His character is beyond reproach.

Don't believe me? Feel free to ask the group of kids, seated in the stands at the Achilles Center, wearing No. 27 on every article of clothing. They'll tell you themselves.