2008 Woodie Awards
Zamboni crew enjoys fun, laid back job
Neil Benjamin
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
Originally published: 2/21/08 at 3:39 PM EST
Last update: 2/21/08 at 6:54 PM EST
In 1983, Frank Joseph Zamboni revolutionized the way ice skating rinks are maintained.
Known at the time as an automatic edger, the machine would gather up all of the chipped ice and get rid of it.
The current Zamboni does a lot more than pick up ice. In the back of the four wheeled, propane powered vehicle is the conditioner. It's a sharp blade that gathers loose ice. Afterward, hot water is put down so the cracks and chips in the ice will fill in. A bar in the back makes sure the water is distributed equally.
At Plattsburgh State, hockey is big. The Lady Cards just clinched the top seed and home ice in the ECAC-West tournament, while the men have done the same in the SUNYAC. The Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena is the home to both teams, and maintenance is an important part of keeping both teams on their game.
For the Zamboni to work, someone needs to be driving it. At PSUC, students take that responsibility except when they aren't available. A part-time job that allows the student to work on homework during down time is what most college kids look for.
Brad Graves, the assistant to the director of the Fieldhouse, has been working there for 30 years. He began his career working at 4 a.m. as a part time maintenance employee, and has worked his way up the ranks.
He said the job is laid back unless there is a game going on. As a fan of both hockey teams, he is able to watch all of the games. Yet when the place is packed, being a driver can be trying.
"I sometimes feel like a player before a big game," he said. "With all those people watching me, I sometimes get butterflies."
Sean Peratikos, a junior audio communication majors, works around 20 hours a week. He has been doing the job for a year and a half. He also has to keep an eye on the entire arena because drivers must also monitor the building. When he is doing the ice, he listens to music because it makes the job more enjoyable.
"I love this job because it isn't always busy which allows me to have time to get my homework done," Peratikos said. "I have to ride the Zamboni four times a day for only a few minutes each time."
Known at the time as an automatic edger, the machine would gather up all of the chipped ice and get rid of it.
The current Zamboni does a lot more than pick up ice. In the back of the four wheeled, propane powered vehicle is the conditioner. It's a sharp blade that gathers loose ice. Afterward, hot water is put down so the cracks and chips in the ice will fill in. A bar in the back makes sure the water is distributed equally.
At Plattsburgh State, hockey is big. The Lady Cards just clinched the top seed and home ice in the ECAC-West tournament, while the men have done the same in the SUNYAC. The Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena is the home to both teams, and maintenance is an important part of keeping both teams on their game.
For the Zamboni to work, someone needs to be driving it. At PSUC, students take that responsibility except when they aren't available. A part-time job that allows the student to work on homework during down time is what most college kids look for.
Brad Graves, the assistant to the director of the Fieldhouse, has been working there for 30 years. He began his career working at 4 a.m. as a part time maintenance employee, and has worked his way up the ranks.
He said the job is laid back unless there is a game going on. As a fan of both hockey teams, he is able to watch all of the games. Yet when the place is packed, being a driver can be trying.
"I sometimes feel like a player before a big game," he said. "With all those people watching me, I sometimes get butterflies."
Sean Peratikos, a junior audio communication majors, works around 20 hours a week. He has been doing the job for a year and a half. He also has to keep an eye on the entire arena because drivers must also monitor the building. When he is doing the ice, he listens to music because it makes the job more enjoyable.
"I love this job because it isn't always busy which allows me to have time to get my homework done," Peratikos said. "I have to ride the Zamboni four times a day for only a few minutes each time."
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