HAMILTON, N.Y. (8/11/07) – More than 3,000 fans were on hand in Hamilton to help Andy McDonald, Colgate University Class of 2000, celebrate his Anaheim Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup Championship on Saturday, Aug. 11. McDonald returned to his alma mater to share part of his day with the cherished chalice, and fans were treated to an hour’s worth of autographs, pictures, and celebrating with McDonald and his family.

At 10:00 a.m., Colgate public address announcer Joe Caprio called McDonald out onto the patio of the Colgate Inn. McDonald walked through the double doors to the cheers of the crowd, then lifted the Cup over his head, which prompted even more raucous applause.

A short ceremony followed in which Hamilton mayor Sue McVaugh and Colgate president Rebecca Chopp thanked McDonald for returning to his second home. Colgate head men’s hockey coach Don Vaughan also thanked his former player, and introduced McDonald who then addressed the crowd. McDonald thanked the assembled fans for their support, and went on to thank the individuals at Colgate and in Hamilton who helped him during his college career.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Cup was put on display on a table in a roped-off area in front of the Inn where fans had the opportunity to view and take photos of the trophy. McDonald was stationed at a table at the north end of the Village Green, where he signed autographs on photos, jerseys, t-shirts, and pucks, and visited with fans.

McDonald departed Hamilton at noon; he planned to spend the remainder of his day with the Cup in his hometown of Strathroy, Ontario.