In September of 2009, Donny Higgins was diagnosed with Colon Cancer at the young age of 36. During the months that followed, Donny fought to stay with his beautiful family as hard as anyone could possible fight. He was and will always be a wonderful power of example to us all. Unfortunately, he passed away in July of 2010. His friends were determined to find a way to continue Donny’s legacy in his hometown to keep his memory alive and to carry on his dedication and commitment to the South Boston Youth Sports Programs and other sports programs in other surrounding communities.

Several decades ago, the Commonwealth built two full size tennis courts behind the Murphy rink on Department of Conservation and Recreation property. The Higgins Family grew up across the street and Donny worked as a skate guard at the Murphy Rink. Our friend was instrumental in lobbying to transform one of the tennis courts into a street hockey rink so that the children of South Boston could play hockey during summer months while the rink was closed. Representative Nick Collins worked effortlessly with state legislators to sign into law, House Bill 4201, which officially designated the street hockey rink on Farragut Road, behind the Murphy Rink, as the Donald F. Higgins Memorial Street Hockey Arena. The dedication and rink opening ceremonies took place on June 13, 2015.