It was getting perilously close to puck drop and the staff at the Adirondack Bank Center had a bit of a problem on its hands. There were 2,500 grade school kids on their way to watch the opening game of the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship and they still had boxes of popcorn to place under every seat.
The call went out for reinforcements and within minutes a large group of volunteers leaped into action to make sure the kernels of buttery goodness found their way into the hands of the hungry young fans.
Hosting a 10-day international tournament like the Women’s World Championship is a massive undertaking that takes months to organize. And while the teamwork displayed at the local, national and international level is vital in putting the game plan in place, it would never come to fruition without hundreds of volunteers working behind the scenes to make sure the event goes off without a hitch.
From assisting local media to passing out flags to spectators attending the U.S. games to driving officials around town, volunteers are the first to arrive and among the last to leave, all in the name of ensuring that Utica put its best foot forward in hosting the top women’s ice hockey players in the world.
“One thing that I always say is that events like this cannot happen without their volunteers,” said Bethany Valenze, thehead of volunteer management for the Adirondack Sports Council. “That’s why I continuously remind staff and spectators and athletes and media to just say ‘thank you’ to a volunteer. We wouldn’t be where we’re at without them.”
The process of reaching out to potential volunteers began months before the first puck dropped. It started with soliciting local hockey fans and community-minded individuals and groups and having them fill out a questionnaire to gauge their interest, availability and any special skills they may have that would serve the organizers in various capacities.
For example, Valenze said someone with an administrative background and skill set might be well suited to work in the credentialing office or off-ice officials for Utica Comets games might fill a similar role during the tournament. There are also age and gender restrictions, such as serving as a volunteer driver or as a doping control chaperone for each team’s random drug tests.
There were few positions open for those under the age of 16, and Valenze said those filled up first. Among them were a number of youth hockey players from nearby Rome Youth Hockey Association that augmented the arena’s ice crew by shoveling snow during media timeouts.
A majority of volunteers are retired and have time to work flexible shifts that may not be feasible for those with full-time jobs. A number were long-time season ticket holders for the Comets and would likely be in the building watching games if they weren’t here helping out.
Valenze also reached out to several local universities seeking help from those in sports management programs or with varsity hockey teams.
For their time and effort, volunteers were given a pullover adorned with the tournament logo, a meal during their shift, entrance into the Subaru World Championship Village and a ticket for a future game. For most it wasn’t about the swag, it was an opportunity to be a part of an event that hasn’t come to the state since Lake Placid played host to the third tournament in 1994. In addition, it was an opportunity to showcase their town in a favorable light.
“With this being a once-in-a-lifetime event for a lot of people in the greater Utica area, the community really came together as volunteers for this,” Valenze said. “People are excited, and volunteering is one of the best ways to be a part of the event without actually purchasing tickets.
“You get to see a lot from the backend, and people want to experience that. They get to say they were a part of the event, and they get to help make history happen.”