The Coachella Valley Firebirds are committed to serving our community. In collaboration with strategic partners, we are developing programs, initiatives and events that aim to educate, encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Street Hockey
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are introducing the sport of hockey to kids of all ages throughout the Coachella Valley. The Firebirds Street Hockey Program is designed to teach the fundamentals of hockey, discipline and leadership. Our program can accommodate players with different skill levels, from beginners to elite. Our goal is to develop hockey players and to get them ready for the ice when our Firebirds come to town this fall. Sign up for upcoming clinics with our partners:
Desert Recreation District
YMCA
Boys & Girls Club
Reading Program
The CVF Reading Program is designed to encourage and educate our youth. In collaboration with our local school districts and libraries, we will fabricate a rewards program that will help students meet their reading goals. In efforts to improve student focus, memory, empathy and communication skills, we will reward them with Firebirds prizes as they reach their reading milestones.
Community Events
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are committed to participating and attending community events. You will see us at fairs, festivals, parades and many other events. Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about upcoming events.
Community Partnerships
We are extremely happy to announce our partnership with the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program at Coachella Valley Unified School District, YMCA, Desert Recreation District, Desert Sands Unified School District and the Boys & Girls Club.
Community Contacts
Want to learn more about all our community programs? We want to hear from you! Please contact:
Shannon Miller, VP of Branding & Community Relations, smiller@oakviewgroup.com
Zoe Miller, Manager Hockey Programming & Community Relations, zhickel@cvfirebirds.com
Arturo Aviles, Community Engagement Manager, aaviles@oakviewgroup.com
Community Operations
Shannon joins the Coachella Valley Firebirds as Vice President of Branding and Community Relations in October 2021. She previously held the role of head coach of Team Canada at the Olympic Games. Coach Miller was recruited by the University of Minnesota Duluth to build a world-class NCAA Division I Women’s Ice Hockey program. Shannon and her teams came out of the gate winning, setting NCAA records by winning five NCAA Championships and with a record of 383-144-50. During her 15 years coaching in the NCAA, Shannon produced 28 Olympians from several different countries, having a formidable impact on the growth and development of the women’s game globally. Miller has also mentored coaches from Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland and Russia, greatly impacting the game at the local, national and international level.
In March of 2018, Shannon won a landmark federal case in the state of Minnesota for sex discrimination and retaliation of Title IX complaints. This is a historical win for women all over the world and especially in athletics.
Fun Facts: Shannon is a World-renowned hockey coach honored at the White House by the President of the United States five times, a former Olympic Head Coach, three-time World Champion and five-time NCAA Champion and a United Nations Speaker on Title IX and Gender Equity.
Zoe Hickel is a professional player and Team USA gold medalist who joins the team from the coaching staff at the Ohio State University women’s hockey team hot off securing their first NCAA National Championship. As manager of Hockey Programming & Community Relations, she will carry out various community initiatives and programs for the Firebirds as well as oversee Hockey programming at the Firebirds Community Ice Rink.
Fun Facts: Zoe adopted a dog off the streets in China while she was there playing professional hockey and brought NaiCha home to USA. In addition, every July 4th she runs a marathon through the mountains of Alaska, called The Mount Marathon.
Arturo Aviles is a Coachella Valley High School graduate. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and a master’s degree from California State University San Bernardino, Palm Desert. He served for 4 years, as a Council member in the City of Coachella from 2010 to 2014 and is currently serving his second term as City Treasurer. Arturo was also a Partnership Specialist for the Federal Census Bureau and managed Hertz locations from Indian Wells to the Thermal Airport early in his career.
Arturo has managed entertainment events in the Coachella Valley, has founded social clubs, and has coordinated many successful community events. He is also the former Chairman of Parks and Recreation in the City of Coachella, a former educator at Coachella Valley Unified School District and a former little league baseball coach. Arturo has strong ties with the community and Coachella Valley leaders. He will help engage the community in everything that happens with our Coachella Valley Firebirds and Acrisure Arena.
Fun Facts: Arturo is a song composer with millions of YouTube views. He has recorded and produced 11 albums with his former band and has toured the United States. He can also sing, play the accordion, guitar, bass guitar, tololoche, bajo-sexto and piano.
