Rink

CEnter ice Q&A with a U.S. Ice Rinks Member // You've recently been appointed to U.S. Ice Rink's board of directors as a USA Hockey representative, what is your role with USA Hockey? I'm the Vice President for Adult Hockey. In addition, I am the MidAmerican Player Development Rep and sit on that committee. // How did you get involved with the USA Hockey board of directors? I started with the MidAmerican District as an evaluator at their Player Development tryouts. The MidAm Director for try- outs, Dave Fielding, invited me to attend MidAm board meetings, and eventually got me elected as Secretary for the District, followed by election as a USA Hockey director in the early 2000s. From there I stumbled my way to the USA Hockey Executive Board when Don Mulder asked me to run for the Adult Hockey VP posi- tion as he was stepping away. Dave and Don were tremendous advocates and role models for me as a volunteer. // Describe your path into the ice rink industry? I've been involved with the Tam-O- Shanter Arena since I was a kid. My dad helped with constructing the original boards for the arena, and I played youth and high-school hockey there. After I went away to attend Bowling Green State University, I stayed connected to Tam-O as I was an assistant coach for my alma mater high school hockey team. Following university, I went into accounting work for car dealerships in the Toledo area. But, after 9 years in the automotive industry, I was looking for something else and went to work for Tom Crothers, the Tam-O rink manager at the time who had reached out to me and asked if I would be inter- ested in working for him. I started as the operations manager in 1991 responsible for day-to-day workings of the rink— scheduling, employee management, over- sight of the Pro Shop, troubleshooting compressors, and every facet of an ice rink, including the operation of a bar. Tom was a great manager, and mentor, he taught me so much about ice arena manage- ment, which helped lead me to eventually becoming the General Manager. // What is the most rewarding part of your current position with Tam-O-Shanter? I've ascended to semi-retirement and working from home, giving the staff the space to make it work in their vision while being available to provide feedback if they ask. The best achievement would be the longevity of the senior staff at the rink; they're very competent and tolerant. I'm not always easy to work with, believe it or not. // What do you like to do when you get some time away from the rink? Two rescue dogs occupy a fair amount of time. Albert went to the office every day when I was going in, he spends his time at home now. The newbie, Olive, gets to go wreak puppy havoc throughout the offices now when I drop by. I also enjoy travel- ing with a few different possies of friends, sometimes golfing in Ireland or Scotland at other times chasing activities on Duval Street in Key West. // What has been the most gratifying moment in your career so far? We added a second ice sheet in 1993 after 10 years of failed attempts. It expanded options for senior league players which were previously limited and forced us to be creative in supplementing the shoulder sea- sons with activities other than ice hockey. // What do you feel are the most important skills and/or traits of a successful rink manager? It starts with a work ethic; 10 hour days during the week were the norm, plus whatever coverage you are needed for on weekends. A willingness to continue to learn new concepts and to think out of the box for solutions. Finally, you must know how to get the most out of every dollar you spend. // Do you have any advice for some- one interested in starting a career in the ice rink industry? Embrace the chaos. No two days are ever the same and that's a good thing. It keeps you sharp. And remember, the world is run by C students. I fit that mold. J Tom Cline PROFILE Facility: Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter Sports, Inc. Job Title: Controller (formerly General Manager) Years in the ice rink industry: 35 Sylvania, Ohio PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED 54 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2026 USICERINKS.COM

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