I was sure I was done.
I was tired, I was burned out, and there was some frustration there too.
When a friend told me he had a feeling I wasn’t done for good, I insisted I was. When another media person told me I was “crazy” for leaving this behind and that “what you do is needed,” I was taken by surprise, but both got me thinking.
And then there are you guys. The messages flooded in, and you told me I’d made a difference. You made last season and especially the last few weeks worth everything I’d been through. A signed hockey stick, jersey, and bracelet were a nice bonus.
And I remembered I’d said it wasn’t about me. It’s about you guys. You guys make the videos funny or serious or emotional, but most of all memorable. You score the goals and make the saves I get to tweet about (not to mention hitting baseballs, making plays, and getting pucks deep). You open up and let me tell your stories for everyone else to read (and watch).
How could I leave that behind?
But I’d still be tired and burned out if I kept doing things the same way. For those who don’t know, I work a few other jobs along with Icing The Fed, and I’m going back to school this fall to be a high school English teacher.
So I’ve learned to ask for help. I’m learning (still) how to say no. Maybe I can’t handle covering five games in a day sometimes.
My intern, Katherine Duffek, worked so hard last year, and she willingly agreed to continue to help me next year if I could keep this going. She’ll also cover more games than she did last year, so maybe I’ve finally sort of found that clone I’ve been looking for.
Ryan Albert took photos at a few games this spring, and when he’s not on the ice, he might be able to take some more during hockey season. I might add another photographer as well.
Kaleida Health and Oishei Children’s Hospital are on board with a very generous sponsorship for the 2019-20 season, as is Pelham coach Ed Witz (along with Pelham Hockey and the Ice Hutch). I’ve partnered with 716 Sports Podcast as well. Check out the great work they’re doing with local hockey!
So yeah, I’ve found a way to keep this going, if that’s OK with you guys.
But like I said, I’ve learned to ask for help, and even though you’ve all been amazing all along, here are a few more things you can do that are relatively simple:
- Follow Icing The Fed on Twitter
- Like the Facebook page
- Follow Icing The Fed on Instagram and Snapchat, and subscribe on YouTube
- If you’re at a game and I’m not, tag me in your tweets to keep me updated!
The more followers I have on these platforms, the more sponsors will notice, and the more sponsors notice and are willing to give, the more I can work to make Icing The Fed even better (and maybe not work four other jobs?).
- Retweet and share posts and videos
- Read the articles and watch the videos
This is huge. Again, it goes back to how many people Icing The Fed is reaching. Plus, the more you share, the more people get to see/read about you!
- Buy hats
- Buy photos
Hats are just $25, and yes, they’re winter hats, but this is Buffalo. It took until June to break 70 degrees, and those cold fall and winter nights will be here before we know it!
Photos are just $2 per photo. We wanted to make them as affordable as possible for you guys while still supporting ourselves a little bit, and the $2 gets you a link to download the photo to post/print it and use for whatever you want!
Of course, you can always sponsor Icing The Fed (message me for details), or you can make a one-time donation.
If you guys are OK with this, I’ll see you at the rink sooner than later. I’m also planning to cover some more travel hockey this fall, and I hope you guys are as excited as I am.
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:1