Bowling Green State University Athletics
"Scooter's" skate sharpener
Beyond The Ice: Equipment Maintenance
December 08, 2011 | Ice Hockey
A special look at the work done behind the scenes by BGSU ice hockey equipment managers
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio. – Hockey is a unique sport. It is unique for many reasons, but perhaps one of the most obscure is how customizable the game is for different players. Hockey allows athletes of all different sizes and skill sets to not only play the game, but also play the same position.
For example, any Bowling Green fan who had an opportunity to watch the Falcons this year would tell you that freshman forward Dan DeSalvo plays a much different style than freshman forward Adam Berkle.
DeSalvo (5'8, 160 lbs) and Berkle (6-3, 193 lbs) have been line mates for the entire season, and have amassed roughly the same number of points. Both use their size to their advantage, gearing their game to match their certain body types. DeSalvo uses his smaller stature to go around and slip through defenders, while Berkle uses his larger frame to go through them.
In order to cater to these very different playing styles, different forms of equipment are used, ranging from custom skate blades to stick length. Hockey is a sport that also requires a ton of protective gear, literally covering players from head-to-toe with protection.
So with all of this protective customizable gear, who is in charge of making sure it fits the players' needs? Who customizes and maintains skates, sticks, blades, helmets and pads on a daily basis? The answer is head equipment manager Scott “Scooter” Jess, who is in the middle of his sixteenth season with Bowling Green ice hockey.
Student assistants Brady Munger and Will Craig are also part of the team, aiding Jess in the daily grind beyond the ice.
Throughout the months of December and January, BGSU Athletic Communications will release a series of videos detailing the work done behind the scenes at the BGSU Ice Arena and on the road.
The first installment will showcase one of the most important duties of the equipment team, sharpening the player's skates.
For example, any Bowling Green fan who had an opportunity to watch the Falcons this year would tell you that freshman forward Dan DeSalvo plays a much different style than freshman forward Adam Berkle.
DeSalvo (5'8, 160 lbs) and Berkle (6-3, 193 lbs) have been line mates for the entire season, and have amassed roughly the same number of points. Both use their size to their advantage, gearing their game to match their certain body types. DeSalvo uses his smaller stature to go around and slip through defenders, while Berkle uses his larger frame to go through them.
In order to cater to these very different playing styles, different forms of equipment are used, ranging from custom skate blades to stick length. Hockey is a sport that also requires a ton of protective gear, literally covering players from head-to-toe with protection.
So with all of this protective customizable gear, who is in charge of making sure it fits the players' needs? Who customizes and maintains skates, sticks, blades, helmets and pads on a daily basis? The answer is head equipment manager Scott “Scooter” Jess, who is in the middle of his sixteenth season with Bowling Green ice hockey.
Student assistants Brady Munger and Will Craig are also part of the team, aiding Jess in the daily grind beyond the ice.
Throughout the months of December and January, BGSU Athletic Communications will release a series of videos detailing the work done behind the scenes at the BGSU Ice Arena and on the road.
The first installment will showcase one of the most important duties of the equipment team, sharpening the player's skates.
BG Hockey Postgame 12.5
Saturday, December 06
BG Hockey Press Conference vs Northern Michigan 12.02
Tuesday, December 02
BG Hockey Postgame 11.29
Sunday, November 30
BG Hockey Postgame 11.28
Saturday, November 29