· HO C K EY DAY M I N N E SOTA 2022 · TODAY
Brave heart helps
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It’s going to be cold. That’s all.
8 ST U DEN T RU N NEWS SINCE 1926
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2022
MSUREPORTER.COM
SMOOTH MOVES Zamboni driver makes Hockey Day go over smoothly By MAX MAYLEBEN Editor in Chief
Picture this: the game stops, the teams file into their respective locker rooms, a large door opens and reveals the star of any hockey game: the Zamboni. Crucial to any healthy ice rink, the Zamboni functions to resurface the ice. It does so by scraping excess snow that arises from cuts in the ice from the skates. Then, it flushes out any dirt with water which is then collected back up. Finally, the Zamboni leaves a thin layer of heated water in order to leave the ice smooth. With Hockey Day Minnesota hosting hockey games almost non-stop last week in Mankato, there was an immense need to keep the ice smooth for the players. Enter Dan Rickbeil. Rickbeil, the head athletics equipment manager at Minnesota State University, Mankato, is no stranger to driving Zambonis. “I actually started driving Zamboni almost 30 years ago,” said Rickbeil. Rickbeil recounts his childhood memories of spending long hours at the hockey rink in his hometown. “I was the kid who was always running around the rink,” said Rickbeil, “I was the rink rat.”
MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter
Dan Rickbeil is the head equipment manager for Maverick athletics, but he has also been driving the Zamboni for over 30 years.
At this young age, Rickbeil started doing odd jobs around the rink, such as collecting the garbages for a quarter or mopping the floors. Eventually, this led to him riding along on the Zamboni, dumping snow out. While this did get the driver and himself in trouble, it may have foreshadowed his life behind the wheel.
By the time he entered high school Rickbeil properly started working at the rink and was driving the Zamboni consistently. While in college at MSU, Rickbeil continued to drive Zamboni when working at the All Seasons Arena. Following graduation at MSU Rickbeil moved away from Mankato
for some time, but the charm of the city drew him back and he began working as an equipment manager at the All Seasons Arena. Now, working as the equipment manager for MSU athletics, Rickbeil was ecstatic to offer his services when he heard Hockey Day was coming to Mankato.
“As soon as I knew we were having Hockey Day, I said ‘Hey, I am interested,’” said Rickbeil, “You don’t have to pay me, just give my family some passes to get in, that is all I ask.” While Zamboni driving looks simple, Rickbeil notes that drivers often make it look easier than it is. ZAMBONI on page 7
OASIS’s name changed but goals to aid are still the same By JULIA BARTON • News Director
JENNA PETERSON • The Reporter
Despite a name change, the center will operate as usual.
Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, formerly known as OASIS, continues to be a resource for students seeking guidance when it comes to navigating college. While being a resource for various inquiries, the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access aims to aid MSU students regarding academics, social events, or peer to peer connections. “I wanna help domestic diverse students navigate college, whether it’s academic, financial or personal, so I’m helping to support them in all those areas as well as break down some of the barriers of the challenges they might face,” Director of Student Access, Rosalin Cobb, shared. With the intention of being an information center that students can rely on no matter their questions, the office can assist with anything regarding academics to community involvement.
“If you have a question just stop by, we will try to answer it for you or get you to the right place without you having to go around to other offices. Even if it isn’t related to school we can help, but the main services we assist with are academic guidance and campus community resources,” Cobb added. The idea for a name change came last year with the intent for students to better understand what the office can offer. “We wanted to get away from acronyms because a lot of students may not understand what OASIS really stood for. We wanted to change it to something students could relate to,” Director of Diversity Engagement & Initiatives Ben Thao, said. Located right across from the Multicultural Center in the upper level of the Centennial Student Union, a lot of their services overlap with each other. Also to mention the International Center being down the hall from the two offices. CENTER on page 3