Lord Stanley’s Cup entered the gym at Marist High School on Aug. 13 to the strains of “Chelsea Dagger,” the Chicago Blackhawks’ infectious goal song, and the cheers of people who had been waiting in line for hours to see and get their pictures taken with the silver trophy.

The cup’s visit to the school was one of several South Side and south suburban appearances organized that day by Blackhawks’ head trainer Mike Gapski and his wife, Lynne. Their family includes three children who graduated from Marist and another still enrolled at the school.

After winning the Stanley Cup — perhaps the most revered trophy in professional sports — players and staff from the team traditionally each get a day to spend with it. Gapski used his day to introduce the cup to people from the area, raising money for causes he supports and rallying support both for the Blackhawks and hockey in general.

At Marist, money generated from the visit — guests donated $10 each and could receive a free photo — was earmarked for the hockey team, for which Gapski’s sons have played. Not wanting to miss a chance to support their team, players worked the lines before the cup arrived, selling water and doughnuts to early arrivals.

Team members were easily spotted, because while most of the crowd sported Blackhawks’ jerseys or T-shirts, they wore their Marist Redhawks jerseys.

“It’s great for the program,” said Kevin McSweeney, who coaches the junior varsity team. “It’s wonderful for them to give back to the school.”

Even without the Stanley Cup visit, the Blackhawks recent success has led to a resurgence of high school hockey programs throughout the area, said the coach, both in terms of number of players who are interested and the fan support they get.

“With the school, it’s been great,” said Joe Keneipp, assistant varsity coach.

Senior Mark Karczewski, who will be playing his fourth season as a Redhawk this year, said he’s seen a marked increase in interest since he was a freshman.

“There’s a lot more people at games,” he said.

Sophomore Jack Rochford, who will be starting his second season at Marist, was excited to see the cup even though he saw it in 2013 as well.

“The cup’s the best trophy in all of sports,” he said.

On a practical level, the money raised from the visit will help with team expenses, he said.

The crowd itself was divided into two lines, one for school faculty and staff and their guests and one for the general public.

Marist information technology director Irene Halko came with a crew of friends and relatives, including Mark and Sarah Halko and Andrew, Matt and Michael Mariotti. The group arrived three hours ahead of the 10 a.m. visit and were first in the faculty and staff line.

They had tried twice before to see the cup, Mark Halko explained, and didn’t want to get shut out again.

“Last time at Incarnation (Parish in Palos Heights), we were the next in line to get in when they closed the doors,” he said. “Third time’s a charm,” Irene Halko said.

Gapski, who has been with the Blackhawks since 1987, brought the cup to Incarnation the last two times the team won, in 2010 and 2013. This time, he said, he wanted to support the school.

“This school has been wonderful for all my kids,” he said.

The school also apparently has been wonderful for the Blackhawks, with a Gapski child graduating each year the team has gone on to win: son Ryan graduated in 2010, son Steven in 2013 and daughter Gillian this year. The family’s fourth child, Ryan, will be a sophomore this year and is set to graduate in 2018.

“Hopefully we’ll win before then,” Gapski said.

Patti Dedzinski, who works in Marist’s business office, said it was her first time seeing the Stanley Cup in person. She also brought several relatives.

“It was very generous to bring it here,” Dedzinski said, as people in line used their phones to snap pictures of the cup before getting to pose themselves. “It really brings the community together.