The subject of the lesson there was bullying and how to deal with the problem in real life and while a hockey game might seem a strange venue for this subject none the less the lesson was learned. One of the primary ways to defeat bullies is respect: respect for one’s self and respect for the rules of interpersonal relationships. The students watched as professional hockey players used these two types of respect to channel their self confidence into a spirited game that was at once fun and at the same time safe. Keeping a bully from being a problem is a matter of self confidence and using the rules, as well as trusting the people in charge to manage the rules, and these were lessons the students learned. “Fighting doesn’t always solve everything,” Trejure Williams of Cleveland told a reporter. “I think this is a wonderful game,” he said. He had seen how infractions of the rules by bullying players had been dealt with by the referees without the need for the players to take up fists, and was impressed with how the game could be played smoothly while still being enthusiastic. “Bullying has become such a hot topic all over, and we thought it was important to talk about respect,” said Jeff Bowler, Senior Director of Ticket Sales and Service for the Lake Erie Monsters. “And have the students learn how to treat each other, how to treat their parents and their students.” “It’s always fun. They are enthusiastic. It’s loud, it’s tough to communicate with the players during the game like this, but it is so much fun,” Monsters Head Coach David Quinn said speaking of the special education students after the game. This is a man who knows the value of confidence in the pursuit of a happy game as well as a happy life. Special education day at the Q is all about helping the kids see that respect and self confidence are key ingredients in making bullying easier to deal with whether it is at home, school or in the public arena. Mr. Bowler emphasized that the lessons learned at a hockey game can be translated into life lessons of any venue whether in or out of school. An enthusiastic good time was had by all, but more importantly the students learned a great lesson on how to live successfully. The Monsters won 4-3.