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• Aquatics
• Club Sports
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• Personal Training
• Adventure Recreation
• Ice Skating
• Special Events

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Staff Interviews

ONE-on-ONE with

Dave Bagger

Position: Assistant Director – Ice Arena

Education: BS Leisure Studies; MS Kinesiology/Sports Management, UIUC

How long have you been working for Campus Recreation?
I started working here in 1983 as a student employee. I worked lining the fields as a freshman, driving along and getting covered in chalk. I also worked with intramurals and did a lot of volunteer work with the Division. In 1989, I returned to Campus Rec as a grad assistant. I spent one year working at IMPE as the facility management graduate assistant and was the graduate assistant at the Ice Arena the following year.

What was your first professional recreation position?
I worked for the Buffalo Grove park district between undergrad and graduate school. I was the athletic director for youth and adult sports. My first position after graduate school was at Indiana University. I was the informal sports coordinator.

What professional positions have you had at Campus Rec?
I started my first professional position at UI Campus Rec in 1992 as an Assistant Director at the Ice Arena. I was mostly responsible for evenings and weekends and student personnel. In 1999, my position changed to being responsible for general management, facilities and schedules, budget etc.

What is your favorite thing about working for Campus Rec?
My favorite thing is working with college students—both as student employees and patrons. They make the job.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Managing a multi-million dollar facility and dealing with peripheral bureaucracy.

What is your fondest memory from working at the Ice Arena?
The first year I saw the Ice Show (1994). To see it actually all work and come together was pretty amazing.

What have you gained or learned from your time at Campus Rec?
I have gained perspective from longevity. I have learned so much in so many different ways. What is the busiest time of year at the Ice Arena? The end of October through the first week of March, with the peak season being the month of December.

Do you have any advice for patrons of the Ice Arena?
Ice is slippery and hard, therefore accidents happen.