Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1223463
CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 62 / MARCH.APRIL.2020 USICERINKS.COM // You attended your first NARCE this year—what was that experience like? NARCE was great. I was there primarily to take the PMP course to fin- ish my CRA, but I learned so much more than just programming and marketing. I really enjoyed connecting with people who had been in the industry for more than 20 years, and others who were just getting started. I already can't wait for next year. // You just completed your CIT this past year. What was your favorite course and why? My favorite course was BAR (Basic Arena Refrigeration). Everything from the location (at the MIAMA Conference) to the amount of outstanding people I had in that class made it exciting. I really enjoyed the intensity and the challenge of the class. // How did you get into the rink business? Following two summers of working with the grounds-crew (base- ball and golf ) at a Municipal Athletic Complex, I was asked if I had any interest in moving inside to work the ice arena that winter. I was told I would be trained on the ice resurfacer. I had no idea what I was getting into. It was that same win- ter that I had the opportunity to start working part-time at St. Cloud State University at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. // What's the biggest challenge you face each day? Managing my time and finding balance in taking care of the ice as well as taking care of the many user groups our facility is home to. // What's the best part of your job? Seeing the results of our hard work around the rink. Receiving compliments from our user groups. The endless num- ber of excellent people I continue to meet in our industry and at my job. // What's your craziest experience in the industry to date? I was resur- facing following some youth hockey in the summer, and as I turned to go up the middle of the rink, on the opposite end of the ice there was a baby crawling on the ice. I have no idea how the kid got on the ice but a coach scooped her up and skated her to the mom off the ice. The mom packed up and was gone before I got off the ice. Weirdest thing ever! // When you're not at the rink, what do you do for fun? I spend time with my family and friends. I also just wrapped up a 22-year career in Amateur Townball Baseball. Watching townball growing up and my passion for baseball led me on the path to playing and being involved in Amateur Baseball from a young age. It was an amazing time filled with superb people. // Any parting advice for other rink professionals out there? I have found you get back what you put into this job. Give excellent effort, work hard, pay attention to the details and you will see the rewards. Get to know other people in our industry and always be willing to learn and change. J PROFILE Name: Dan Kronenberg Facility: Lead Ice Technician, Herb Brooks National Hockey Center U.S. Ice Rinks Professional Designation Achieved: CIT Years in the Industry: 20 Dan Kronenberg, CIT St. Cloud, Minnesota