Brian Ahern has worked at Notre Dame for 10 years, spending six years as the lead ice technician at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
What do you like most about your job?
Working with my co-workers to make Compton Family Ice Arena a great experience for all who use our facility. There is a lot of work that happens behind the scenes to make great ice and a great experience for people using our facility, and it’s awesome to be part of making those fun experiences for others.
What makes you feel appreciated?
When the coaches and players — the most important people who use the ice —
thank me for all the hard work and really appreciate the quality ice that we build for them.
How would you describe your job?
As a co-worker once put it, I am an ice farmer. I build (plant) the ice from the ground up, and I take care of it all year, then I tear it out (harvest) it at the end of the season. Then we do it all over again for the next season.
What do you like most about working at Notre Dame?
Working in the Athletics Department, I have been able to meet and work with so many great people from so many different sports. It’s a great group of people.
Do you have a fun fact you’d like to share?
I love rugby. I played for 15 years and also coached high school rugby for a few years. Really, driving a Zamboni for a living is my best fun fact. It’s a very cool and unique job!
Photos by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame
