New York Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky Honored at LIU as 'Honorary Captain'

Jon Ledecky Visits Long Island University as Honorary Captain

On September 22, 2026, Long Island University (LIU) was buzzing with excitement as they welcomed Jon Ledecky, co-owner of the New York Islanders, to their campus. This event was part of the LIU's Centennial CEO Speaker Series, which aims to bring prominent business leaders to interact with students about vital themes such as leadership and career growth.

Jon Ledecky’s visit was a unique chance for students to engage directly with a leader in professional sports. The event drew hundreds of students who were eager to hear insights from Ledecky about his career journey, the nuances of sports business, and his innovative leadership approach within the Islanders organization. The conversation was skillfully moderated by LIU alumnus and ESPN personality Alan Hahn, leading to a dynamic Q&A session where students could pose questions directly to Ledecky.

As a gesture of appreciation and recognition for Ledecky's contributions, the captains of LIU's men’s and women’s ice hockey teams presented him with a personalized LIU Sharks jersey, declaring him the Honorary Captain for the LIU Hockey team for the 2026–27 season. This honor emphasizes both the university's pride in its ice hockey program and its collaboration with the New York Islanders.

LIU President Kimberly R. Cline noted, "Our partnership with the New York Islanders and UBS Arena offers extraordinary opportunities for our students. Having Jon Ledecky on campus to share his insights is a significant reflection of that partnership in action." Ledecky’s presence was seen as a strong testament to the growing relationship between LIU and the Islanders, particularly in fostering the growth of hockey at all levels within the Long Island region.

The event also served to highlight LIU's dedication to cultivating a strong athletic program; being the proud home of the only NCAA Division I men's and women's ice hockey teams in New York City and Long Island. Both teams play their home games at the Northwell Health Ice Center, where LIU has established permanent, top-notch facilities, including dedicated locker rooms and coaching spaces.

Brendan Riley, the head coach for LIU Men’s Ice Hockey, remarked, "Long Island is a hockey community, and LIU is proud to represent this region at the Division I level. Jon’s visit underscores the strength of our partnership with the Islanders and illustrates our mutual commitment to developing the game of hockey."

In addition to event affirmations, the partnership includes organizing the Empire State Holiday Invitational, an annual men’s hockey tournament at UBS Arena where LIU will compete and serve as the host institution. The first iteration of this tournament is slated for December 28-29, 2026.

LIU isn't just about competition; it also plays a proactive role in growing the sport through its support of the Islanders' Learn to Play program, designed to introduce children in the area to hockey. This collaboration allows LIU students as well to gain invaluable experiences within the sports industry.

The Centennial CEO Speaker Series falls within LIU's year-long celebration of its 100 years of educational excellence, aimed at shaping future leaders by instilling in them the knowledge and experience shared by industry titans such as Ledecky.

For more information about Long Island University and its initiatives, visit www.liu.edu. The university continues to lead in redefining education while fostering connections that will benefit its students long into the future.