Press Level Fashion: Back to the #BelieveInBlue (Part 1 of 2)

First, I would like to wish a “Happy New Year” to you all and a thank you for continuing on my “hockey journey” with me!  I joined The Pink Puck as a contributor a year ago when I discovered that it would be a perfect fit for me – combining my interests of writing/social media, fashion and of course hockey!  For those of you who followed along with both my fashion articles and those related to hockey history and special events, I apologize for the hiatus through the first half of our beloved sport’s season.  Let me catch you up on what I have been working on…and mix in some fashion as well!

After I graduated from Syracuse University with a Masters of Science in ‘Sport Venue & Event Management’ in August ’15, I was offered a full-time position with the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club (AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.)  I had completed my entire 9-credits of practicum work with this organization in both “Sponsorship Services” and in “Sales.”  I was very humbled and graciously accepted the position of “Account Executive” working for a team that I spent a good deal of my life following being from the Central New York area.

Needless to say, it is always a big learning curve starting a new full-time job and those of us who work in the sport industry know that this isn’t a 9-5 position.  Obviously I wouldn’t change it for the world, however it has been an adjustment that I am now feeling more comfortable with and because of this, I needed a short hiatus from writing, but I am excited to be back!

Now to summarize some of the events I have been involved with through the first half of the season…with a little fashion mixed in as well of course!  Our 22nd home opener took place on Saturday, October 17th vs. (new North) division rivals the Binghamton Senators.  Anyone who has worked on a home opener game (for any sport) knows that this sets the tone for the season and of course you not only want a win from your on-ice team, but your off-ice team does as well…and prepares for this night just as hard.

The on-ice team achieved this by downing the Senators in a 2-1 win at the home opener presented by Upstate University Hospital at the War Memorial Arena.  For this night, area nurses were honored with a special ticket discount and in the pre-game ceremony, escorting the 2015-16 Syracuse Crunch players in their introduction on the ice.

Former NFL player Devon Still and I at the 22nd Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club home opener. 10/17/15

Any home opener for the season wouldn’t be complete without a celebrity appearance.  The Syracuse Crunch invited ESPY Award winner and former NFL player Devon Still to participate in the opening ceremony puck drop and meet-and-greet autograph session.  Still is a defensive tackle, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2012 to 2014.  Still and his daughter, Leah, received the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award for their strength and determination in the face of cancer during the 2015 ESPY Awards this July.

Still participating in the Syracuse Crunch home opener was a special tie-in as the team wore No. 75 Devon Still Cincinnati Bengals jerseys during warmups at the Toyota Frozen Dome Classic on Nov. 21, 2014 in tribute to Leah.  In response, Still sent a video message to the team that was played prior to the Toyota Frozen Dome Classic game.  The Still jerseys were auctioned off following the game and all proceeds benefited Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York.

Prior to the game, the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club  held a “Party on the Plaza” presented by ESPN Radio and TK99.  Fans were invited to join the Syracuse Crunch for fun and games at the Everson Museum Plaza and had the opportunity to get autographs and take photos with scratched players, along with trying their skills out at street hockey.  There was also a live radio broadcast that took place and food trucks were on hand for attendees to purchase food and drinks.

Al Roker signed “Oswego Community Night at the Crunch” event poster. 10/17/15

The most important roll I played in the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club home opener as an “Account Executive” was hosting the first community night of the season, “Oswego Community Night.”  For this night, I prospected and sold packages to a variety of businesses in the Oswego, New York area, which is near to my heart as it is my hometown.

A portion of the proceeds from these packages and individual tickets sold through this community night, were donated directly back to the Oswego YMCA, specifically to “the development of family programming,” which they deemed to me as an area that they can also use financial support.

Not only were we able to host approximately 400 fans from the Oswego community, but we also received support from some celebrities who got their start at Oswego State University.  NBC Meteorologist Al Roker signed one of the “Oswego Community Night” event posters to be raffled off and ESPN Sportscasters Steve Levy and Linda Cohn, sent along video messages offering their support to the Community they spent college years in.

For the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Club home opener, I felt that it was only fitting to represent my club by wearing none other then the color blue.  I also felt that with it being the home opener and it being hard to predict where I may be needed, flat shoes were probably also the best idea.  I decided to pair my vintage, navy blue Lauren by Ralph Lauren mid-length skirt with a blue plaid button down shirt by merona a brand from Target.  This is a good mix of high-and-low pieces.

For footwear, I went with indigo blue Easton Tassel flats from Talbots.  In my work bag, I had a vintage, navy blue clutch for essentials.  Jewelry I kept fairly simple, another purchase from Target was my statement necklace and I rounded out the look with a pair of simple diamond stud earrings from a local jeweler, a vintage opal ring that I felt played off the statement necklace well and my men’s watch from Citizen.