Rink

CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 58 / MAY.JUNE.2023 USICERINKS.COM PHOTO: COURTESY OF JANE DELAHUNT // How did you get into the rink industry? I started working part-time as a student at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center at St. Cloud State University as part of the Event Staff during col - legiate games. I was promoted to a Student Facility Manager and was trained on operating the ice resurfac- ers. In 2019 I was offered a graduate assistantship to take on some additional administrative responsibilities through scheduling and supervision of part-time employees. In 2020, I was hired in my current role of Assistant Director. // What's the best part of your job? The variety we see on a daily basis. We have a small professional staff in our building, often we have to take the all- hands-on-deck approach to our opera - tions. Daily functions can range from operating the ice resurfacers during tour- naments, training of part-time employees, coordinating events, and liaising with other campus departments to ensure the university's needs are being met. // What's the hardest part? Along with being the best part of my job, there are times when the variety can also be the most challenging. With three NCAA tenants, a youth hockey tenant that averages 600 hours per year, and additional overflow rentals, scheduling can be a challenge. All pro - grams request similar times and days of the week for their events. Being able to balance those requests while striving towards our goal of generating revenue is my hardest task on a daily basis. // Craziest experience in the indus- try to date? I was hired during the COVID-19 pan- demic. I started in my role as rinks across the country were taking ice out and all programming was paused. I was tasked with writing protocols to get user groups back on the ice. While trying to follow CDC guidance and what other rinks were implementing around the country, we also had to uphold the policies from the university. Attempting to merge policies for youth sports with the expectations set for educational institutions did not always match. The first six months on the job was a significant learning curve. // You started instructing for U.S. Ice Rinks in 2022. What do you enjoy about that role? I really enjoy being able to travel the country to see different facilities The ability to share knowledge with other members of our industry is a great opportunity. Even as an instructor, I have been able to take away something from every class. Experiencing other facilities allows us as instructors to grow professionally as well as bring certain processes back to our own facilities. // Advice for students that are new to our courses? The course material is super helpful and students can learn a lot, but I think the networking component is a signifi - cant portion of the classes. There is a lot of benefit to meeting other profes- sionals in the industry and creating those contacts that can be resources for your entire career. // If you weren't working in the ice rink business, what would you see yourself doing? I think I would have gone more the events route. Whether that be a large convention center or through a hotel doing weddings or large conferences. I like the variety that events bring to the workday. // Hobbies/interests outside of work? Playing golf is a big passion of mine. I also like to spend time out on the water and getting outdoors with my dog Brooks . J Jane Delahunt PROFILE Job Title: Assistant Director - Herb Brooks National Hockey Center Years in the Industry: 7 Professional Designations: CIT St. Cloud, Minnesota

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