Greg Rusch has been volunteering for the Shawano Hockey League for four years.
The league includes youth from Shawano, Bonduel, Cecil, Marion, Pulaski, Tigerton, Clintonville, Menominee County and other surrounding communities.
Rusch was born and raised in Shawano County, graduating from Shawano High School in 1989. He earned an associate degree in accounting from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Rusch worked at Farm and Home for 11 years and is now the manager for Dearco Glass, Paint & Decorating, where he has worked for 15 years.
Rusch and his wife, Beth, the owner of Fusion Salon, have been married 14 years.
They live in Shawano. Their two sons are involved in hockey — Sam, 12, is a peewee, and Jack, 10, is a squirt. The hockey season is from October to mid-March.
“It makes the winter go fast,” Rusch said.
Q How did you get started in the hockey league?
A “I got started with the league when my kids joined it four years ago as skaters. I joined the board two years ago.”
Q What do you do?
A “I am currently the marketing director. My job is to get information out to the public regarding all the different opportunities there are through the Shawano Hockey League. There’s youth hockey, figure skating, adult hockey, learn-to-skate programs and public open skate. One of my jobs is in charge of advertising signage that’s located in the Crawford Center. One of our newest sponsors for the Zamboni is Doc’s Harley Davidson. We’re excited to get him on board. I also help with day-to-day operations of the rink. We have a tremendous amount of volunteer help. We are self-funded, pay the county rent and pay our own utilities. We’re growing and we want to keep growing.”
Q How does the Crawford Center compare to other rinks?
A “Pat and Ruth Crawford have been so great for family hockey. We have one of the nicest hockey facilities. We are truly blessed. It is a benefit to the community, hotels, stores and restaurants. It gives Shawano a great economic impact.”
Q Why is it important for you to be a part of the Shawano Hockey League?
A “Being on the board for two years now, I realized how much work that previous members have put in this league to build it to what it is today. I feel I owe it to them to keep it going. We owe them a lot. I think youth sports are so important for kids to work as a team to rely on themselves and others. You have to play as a team or you won’t win. Beth and I have made many new friends outside the community who we wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
Open skate starts Saturday from 7-9 p.m. and also on Sundays from 5-7 p.m. Learn-to-skate is on Sundays from 4-5 p.m.
For more information, call the Crawford Center at 715-526-5336.
Categories
