Rink

How did you get into the industry? I was recruited by many MIAC col- leges to play DIII hockey coming out of high school. I decided on Augsburg College to con- tinue my educa- tion and to play college hockey. After arriving at college, I had to pick up a part-time job. My father knew the assistant manager, Kris Kraft, at Augsburg Ice Arena, as she was a former grad student of his, and he encouraged me to go and talk to her about employ- ment. She hired me on staff, and it really opened up my eyes to arena management. I really enjoyed the planning and pro- gramming part of the business and it's something I really promote here at Orono Ice arena. In my three years at this facility I have increased ice sales by almost 30 percent (mainly during non-peak months), something I take great pride in. What do you like best about your job in the ice industry? I really enjoy the opportunity to work with the different spectrum of people associated with arena management. I have a passion to work with kids and athletes, and this job affords me the opportunity to continue my pas- sion both on and off the ice. Every day is different; one minute I could be perform- ing scheduling duties for the arena, and the next minute I could be resurfacing the ice. Lastly, our facility is privately owned, which creates many challenges, especially financial. I am blessed with an outstand- ing arena board that supports my deci- sions as an arena manager and allows me to perform my duties. Any funny stories from your career? Two summers ago, we just got done putting the ice back into the facility. The first user group of the brand new ice had just finished up and I was about to resurface for the first time. I was filling the wash water tank and my cell phone started to ring. I answered the phone call and it was a telemarketer, whom I finally hung up the phone on. I immediately jumped on the Zamboni to go and resur- face, only to forget that the hose was still in the wash water tank. As I was backing out, I saw the hose still attached to the wash water tank, but it was too late. I ended up snapping the hot water pipe from the wall! Not good! I learned quick- ly not to answer my cell phone while preparing the resurfacer. Why do you feel industry educa- tion is important? I believe that, as an arena manager, industry education is extremely important. The methods and practices that I have picked up during my experiences have helped me become a bet- ter leader and manager. I am also able to extend the education that I have received to my both my full-time and part-time staff, which is extremely valuable. Best tip or trick you picked up at a STAR program: I think the best tip I've learned was from my time with Don Zamboni during the IMEO class in Denver. He broke down the operation and maintenance of the Zamboni in ways I had never seen before. It was extremely helpful and beneficial to my success as an operator of the Zamboni. Why is it important to be involved with an association like STAR? First and foremost the networking. I have met many very successful Arena Managers throughout the country that I still talk to this day. This is extremely beneficial to me and my facility, as I can always make a phone call or send an email to those people, whether it's to bounce off an idea or to get an answer to a question I might have. ★ ■ Training, and recognition of training, is the best way to let colleagues and potential employers know who you are and what you have accomplished. Almost every industry has a measuring stick to help employers gauge the level of competency of a future employee. industry spotlight 58 R INK MAGAZ INE may/june 2010 STARrinks.com Steve Krampf Orono Ice Arena Long Lake, Minn. Years in the Industry: 9 STAR/ORFA Courses Taken: • PMP/2008/NARCE • IMEO/2009/Denver, CO X Orono Ice Arena Long Lake, Minn. Steve Krampf

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