2023 Board Nominees

Name: Angie Harshbarger

Re-election 1-year extension

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 6 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Club Treasurer (current); Club Vice President (2 years); Jersey Coordinator (2+ years); Glo-Bingo Chair (2+ years); Team Manager (3 years); Banquet Coordinator (2 years)

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

Hello! My name is Angie Harshbarger, and I am currently Treasurer for the Ice Hawks. My family has been with the organization for 6 years, and will have a second-year Pee Wee (Elyott Whittenburg) next season! My how the time flies! I started my service to the club as team manager for our 6U and 8U team, helping organize the Monster Mash jamboree for over 30 teams in the pre-COVID years. In 2020, I was elected to the Board of Directors. I served as Vice President for the first two years of my term, undertaking a variety of tasks, including Chair of our Glo-Bingo event and coordinating the annual jersey/warmup order in the summer. This year, my third, I assumed the role of Treasurer, using my extensive financial experience and education to track and manage the club’s finances. Throughout my term, I learned more about the history of our club, both its struggles and successes. I served at a time of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped steward our organization through those tough times, coming out stronger than ever in the end. Our membership has continued to grow, relationships with partners have grown calmer and stronger, and we are now in a position to welcome even more players to our organization through our expanded Learn to Play and skills programs during the off season. I am seeking a second term because, as much as we have accomplished, there is so much more to be done! We are on the verge of opening our own off-ice facility, The Hawks Nest, a project years in the making. This facility will provide for year-round training for all Ice Hawks players, and will undoubtedly help our players get to that next level. We are also at the dawn of our girl’s hockey program, the Lady Hawks, and should continue to grow the program to build on its success. I also want to see an expansion of our skating and skills programs, especially at the younger levels, to help our players gain that competitive edge early on, which will help in retention of players through the years. I believe we can accomplish ALL of these things while keeping our costs in check, providing tremendous value for all of our Ice Hawks families for years to come. The work ahead is important and I cannot wait to see how our club grows! I appreciate the trust you have placed in me these past three years, and ask for your vote once more. Thank you, and LET’S GO HAWKS!

Name:  Scott Loehring

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws?  Yes 

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes 

How long have you been with the organization?  3 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: 

Player, Assistant Coach, Head Coach

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

I started with the Cahokia Hawks as an 8U player in 1992 and stayed with the organization up through 18U. After both of my youngest sons decided to take on hockey as an activity, I've been Head Coach at the 6U, 8U, 10U, and High School levels while also acting as a 12U assistant coach. I have the unique perspective of not only growing up with the program but also have been able to parent and coach at differing levels with the organization. I'm able to empathize with not only the parents but also the coaches and players as I've worn almost every hat imaginable. I know of the tough decisions that all face and would look to consider every perspective in every decision made. Hockey is for everyone and I want to celebrate and grow our organization while still providing a level of transparency around the decision-making process. I want to lower the entry barrier for all players to enjoy the game we love - whether that is financial, inclusivity, or other reasons. Honest, open, two-way communication is needed to keep an organization operating and I'd like to be as transparent as possible in all decisions that are made.  

Name: Mike Ganske

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes 

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes 

How long have you been with the organization? 3 years 

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Assistant Coach 

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

My reason for running for a position on the board of directors is to help bring change to grow the organization. I have a background in both business management and project management that I feel I can put to use. I have a passion for hockey and nothing would make me happier to lead this organization in becoming the areas premier hockey association.

Name: Trista Rhea

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the IceHawks?  Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 2 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Manager 

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

I have 6 years experience with running a schools PTO as there PTO president. I resigned to homeschool my kids. I love helping kids and community thrive. I would like to be a help in what the club has to come in the years.

Name: Kris Brinkman

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 5 year

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Assistant Coach 10U A2, 8U 

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

My name is Kris Brinkman, I have one child with the Ice Hawks organization and we have been with the organization for 5 years. I have spent over 30 years working with youth and adult sports at multiple different levels. In that time, I have acted as a coach, referee, coordinator, board president, treasurer, and player representative. 1992-2012; New Baden-Trenton Little Dribblers Basketball; Coach, Referee, Vice-President 1996-1998; Trenton Little League Baseball; Coordinator 1997-1998; Clin-Clair Baseball League; Board Member 2000-2015; Rowdies Rugby Club; President, Treasurer, Coach, Player 2004-2008; St Louis Rugby Football Union; Board Member, Player Union Representative 2021-2023; Southern Illinois Ice Hawks; Coach 8u, 10u Through this experience I have learned what it takes to build an organization that can not only help its players grow but also help grow the sport in general. I have been with organizations when they were on the brink of collapse due to a lack of support and resources, only to see that same organization not just recover but thrive due to proper leadership and management. I have been with organizations at the pinnacle of their level and seen what it takes to maintain that level of success. My goals as a board member will be to provide the type of leadership necessary to grow the club, help develop our players, and advance the game of hockey in our area. I believe that communication is one of the keys to making this happen. The first step to a successful organization is listening and understanding what the members want and the direction they would like the organization to go. As a board member, my primary goal will be to advocate for the best plan that supports growing the players, club, and sport. I want to be able to provide our players with the tools they need in order to improve their game, as well as be excited to talk to other people about the game of hockey in order to help grow the sport. I want to provide parents with the information they need to help their players continue to improve and grow their child’s love of the game. I will push to provide the club with the resources it needs to achieve the results that will allow our players and parents to walk proudly throughout the hockey community as an Ice Hawk.

Name: Bethany Kassebaum

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 4 year

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Manager

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

In short, I want to take a more active role in the direction of our great club. The Ice Hawks have instilled values of hard work, grit, and sportsmanship in my 3 children. I am eager to be a part of the leadership of the Ice Hawks to continue that tradition by increasing opportunities for participation, player development programs, and expanding outreach into our communities. My daughter plays 14U and my sons play 12U and 10U. I have been a team manager for the last 2 years and have volunteered my time with registration, Glo Bingo, and end of season banquet planning. In my time as a manager and volunteer, I have enjoyed building relationships with the parents and players that make up our organization. I believe that I would be a good representative of those parents and players on the board. Beyond Ice Hawks, I have honed my organizational and leadership skills as an instructor at SIUE, where my classes are attended by more than 350 students each semester. Ultimately, becoming a board member is a responsibility that requires a commitment to the organization's mission and values, as well as a willingness to work collaboratively with others to achieve the goals of the club. I believe I have done so in my years with the organization and would continue to do so as a member of the board. With all of the time we spend together, the Ice Hawks are like an extended family and it would be an honor to work with the other members of the board to guide it into the future!

Name: Victoria Colon

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 5 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Team Manager volunteer for Glo Bingo volunteer for Monster Mash Jamboree

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

Our family has been with the organization for 5 years and would love to see it grow and provide athletes with ample opportunity to expand on their skills. I was the team manager for my son's 6u team and volunteered for Glo Bingo and Monster Mash that same year and I would love to start volunteering/serving in some other form and really be a part of this growing organization. I have been self employed for over 10 years and have experience with social media marketing, inventory and budgeting and opened my own business in 2020 (Covid year so I can work under pressure). I have three children so I am efficient at multi tasking and problem solving. I was an athlete most of my life growing up and know what it takes to be a part of a team and I look forward to hopefully being able to apply my skill set to the SIIH community.

Name: Samantha Pryor

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 5 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Team Manager since 2019-20 season; Monster Mash volunteer; Glo Bingo volunteer every season including Barrow of Booze Coordinator one year.

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

My primary motivation for seeking a position on the SIIH Board of Directors is my boys. We are concluding our 5th season as an Ice Hawks family, and I have witnessed tremendous growth in both of my stepsons, both as athletes and humans. This organization is one in which every athlete can be accepted and have opportunities to improve their skills not only on the ice, but those which will serve them through adulthood- teamwork, commitment, self-discipline, and resilience. It would be an honor to volunteer on the board and continue giving those opportunities to our youth athletes. One area I would like to focus on as a board member would be recruitment and retention of youth athletes and families to our organization. Our area has a lot of potential for bringing new hockey players into our club; I would love to work with the community as a representative of SIIH to bring those players in and work with families to retain those athletes through the highest age classifications of youth hockey. Most importantly, I want to keep ice hockey fun for all of our players, from Learn to Skate through 16/18U. Professional skills include accounting, networking and customer satisfaction. I have also served as President of the PTO in my children’s school district. I am eager to put my knowledge and experience to use to help keep SIIH as a top tier youth athletic organization!

Name: CJ Rogers

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 5 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Head Coach and Assistant Coach

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

I have played hockey most of my life and for the past 5 years have been lucky enough to also have my sons interested in the sport. This interest brought us to the Icehawks where I have been volunteering as coach at 6u, 8u, 10u, 12u, Learn to play and Continue to play programs. I've helped coach other sports my kids have been involved in as well as serving as a scout den leader. In my professional life I am in sales where I must navigate complex negotiations and effectively communicate outcomes to my customers. The Icehawks have become a key part of our family over the past five years and while I will continue to coach, I'd also like to serve the organization in more ways. I believe being part of the board is one of the ways I can serve to help grow our organization and make it the best experience possible for the kids.