McFetridge Sports Center- Sports Management Organization

I chose to visit the McFetridge Sports Center Ice Arena in Chicago. This is a facility that explores both figure skating and ice hockey opportunities for people of all ages. Activities range from beginner levels in both hockey and figure skating to more advanced levels. There are public skating sessions for recreation that people of all ages and skating abilities attend just to have fun and enjoy themselves. The ice rink holds many events throughout the year such as ice shows, hockey tournaments, and even birthday parties.

The McFetridge Sports Center Ice Arena is made up of a wide variety of people from working at the concession stand to coaching their synchronized skating team, Chicago Skates. The rink exists solely for the purpose of allowing individuals to partake in various levels of skating activities. It is a public ice rink and so the participants are what keep it in operation along with funds from the city of Chicago (through the Chicago Park District). Although figure skating and ice hockey can be very competitive, they are seen as leisure activities because they are personal choice and often times enjoyable (or the participants would not be partaking). The rink strives to keep its members satisfied and to keep a well-rounded multitude of activities for a wide variety of people.

Employment opportunities vary, depending on each position. There is a head director of the rink who monitors all of the activities. Generally this position requires a degree in the recreational sport management area. Often times, the McFetridge Ice Rink considers those who have worked at the rink longer and have been assisting in other aspects to then move up to this position. There are also coaches of hockey teams, synchronized skating teams, and solo figure skating. These coaches must have experience in the field. The rink offers a wide variety of sports management positions through the organization of Rat Hockey (for younger children) to the organization of the synchronized skating teams. Because McFetridge is part of the Chicago Park District, postions are hired through the main office of the park districts in Chicago. (Photo of a solo skating coach and student after a performance).

Currently, the ice rink is having some issues with money and skater enrollment. With the affected economy, the ice rink has noticed a decline in the amount of skaters there are. This is a significant problem because money has now become a main concern. Some employee positions have been eliminated and there are fewer benefits to those who do work there. Skaters have even said they noticed a change in behaviors such as turning lights off more often. Many of these changes are to save more money because so little is coming in. (This photo is of the skating team having a pep talk before having an official practice.)

When I spoke with one of the skating coaches, Kathy, she described McFetridge’s view on leisure as pleasurable activities that serve a multitude of people. She then went on to describe how enthused she is to work in a place where people choose to be there and want to be there. She loves to teach skaters as well as coach the synchronized skating team, all of which consist of people who are excited to be there. Not only does she feel happy to teach skating, but she knows how accomplished and proud the skaters feel. This shows how sports organizations are very much a part of leisure activity. (This picture is of a proud skater practicing to put on a show.)

I really enjoyed this experience visiting McFetridge Sports Center ice arena to learn more about the wide variety of opportunities there are, from being a skater to holding a sports management position. The organizations involved are amazing (the synchronized skating teams and hockey teams). This experience opened my eyes to the idea of how much planning and organization have to go into operating an ice rink and its activities. The pros of working in an agency like this are the good feelings of teaching skaters to learn new things as well as constantly working with a large group of people; it never gets boring. The cons are that the pay for jobs in this agency are not very high, and the job is very unstable because factors like this economy create large impacts. This agency fits into the leisure through recreation because it serves the public as an enjoyable activity. Some of the motivations to participate in ice hockey or figure skating are that it is a social activity as well as exercise. However, skating and hockey are extremely expensive sports, leaving many people unable to have a chance at these sports. This leads the richer to enjoy such pleasurable activities. This issue is seen in many leisure activities, but being a part of the skating world can be a great place to work.

(This photo shows the excitement with skaters and coach).