Hockey in Green Bay (Women's Nationals)

This weekend was just incredible. Really no other way to put it. It was supposed to be the culmination of the season, with Senior Women's Championships in Green Bay, WI, but you never REALLY know when the season is over. I may still be picking up a few straggler tournaments over the next couple weeks, but this was intended to be my big final of the season.

You know, as rough as a season in a new district can be, it's these tournaments that really keep me going - the reason I do what I do. There is absolutely nothing to be compared to the experience of coming together with some of the top officials (both female and male) around the country and really working hard for the final playoffs of the season. The camaraderie is incomparable, and it's always awesome to see how many different places people come from, and yet we're able to get together and work as seamless teams. It's just such a blast, and I can't even explain how hard it is to put that feeling into words.

These tournaments really bring back focus, too. I love that I have worked hard during the season and been selected to work at these high levels, and yet there are so many others to look up to there - many international officials, collegiate officials, and more. One of our supervisors (and she's AWESOME!) was Kelli Rolstad, lines(wo)man for this year's gold medal Olympic game between the US and Canada. Absolutely unreal being able to sit with her, hear her talk, and get her feedback on my game. I am just blown away and so grateful for these opportunities I've had. So, though I'm sure none of them are reading this, I just want to say thank you to everyone who put the tournament together and made it run as smoothly as it did.

And that includes more than just the top of USAHockey and our supervisors (not to mention the volunteers and tournament coordinators). But even the support and coordination of other officials was amazing. Coming off the ice from a game and getting incredibly enthusiastic, sincere reviews of my work, my presence, my skating... again there are just no words to explain how that can make you feel. And the support of so many officials - people I'd never met before this weekend. We come together for a few short days and walk away with lifelong contacts/friends. Many of these officials were even surprised I would not be returning for the girls' tournament in 2 weeks, and volunteered to put in a good word and recommend bringing me in again for that weekend. I'm thrilled just to have them feel that strongly about me and my work, and excited to see if it's a realistic opportunity. As much as I've been looking forward to the end of the season and having a little bit of a break for a while, I wouldn't pass up Girls'.

So with that, here's to the end of another season. To the officials and coordinators who make it happen, who work hard through the games, the injuries, the criticism and abuse during the season, who stick through to make the finals what they are. To incredible and dedicated players who come together to make a tournament happen (after all, it wouldn't exist without teams to come play). To my brother who got me into the sport (even if you did think I was nothing more than a copy cat), and my parents who were so supportive and never flinched at the thought of their daughter playing "the boys' game" (or at least never let me see if they did). To the game of hockey, truly the greatest sport around. This is what it's all about, and I'm so honored to be a part of it.

Keeping Busy

I realize it has been quite a while (over a month) since I last updated this blog. In all honesty, I have been so insanely busy during March that I've hardly kept up with design projects I'm working on, let alone having a chance to write. I have been out of town every single weekend this month - between traveling for pleasure, family/weddings, and end of season hockey tournaments, I've been stretched all over the place! So, many apologies, but you can look forward to some fun updates in April as I try to catch up and make sense of my own personal March Madness.