As another winter draws to a close, there has been plenty of talk about the Chapman ski hill improvements this past year. While hill staff did make the most of a lean winter and keep the new lifts turning despite the lack of snow, there has been a shockingly small amount of thanks being thrown toward what goes on inside Chapman’s walls: ice maintenance.
As hockey players eagerly awaited the final tournament of the season within the back rooms of Chapman Ice Rink, CJ Fuss was pouring his sweat, blood and tears onto the ice to make sure it was in perfect condition every day for the frenzy of blades that were going to batter it mercilessly for the next 16 hours.
The next morning, before hockey and figure skating parents have risen, CJ is working his fingers to the bone to ensure the rink is ready for the day’s onslaught. Many of us will never see CJ, fewer will interact with him, but all of us owe him our deepest and most sincere thanks for providing yet another phenomenal ice skating season.
While there may not be a Michelle Kwan or Wayne Gretzky among us, Mr. Fuss certainly makes sure we feel that way every time we step onto our amazing sheet of ice. Thank you, CJ, we’ll see you next winter.
Jake Mitchell
Durango
