New Iowa AHL Hockey President Announced
June 25, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Chops News Release
DES MOINES, IA - (June 25, 2008) - Passersby at the Wells Fargo Arena this winter may wonder who the lone man is trudging through the snow from the absolute furthest parking spot to the arena for no apparent reason. It will likely be Steve Nitzel, the new president of the Iowa AHL hockey team.
"The heart of any team is the fans, and I plan to examine every detail of their experience from the moment they arrive," says Nitzel, a 20-year sports marketing veteran. "I want to know everything, right down to how long it takes to get a hot dog. I need to understand what they feel, see and believe every step of the way to ensure we meet and exceed fan expectations."
On Nitzel's first day in Des Moines, he went to Wells Fargo Arena and timed how long it took him to get from the farthest parking spot to the door of the Arena in the rain (five minutes if you are wondering). This experiment allowed him to take a walk in the fans' shoes, and begin to understand the complete Iowa hockey fan experience.
Nitzel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his work, which has ranged from the minor leagues to the majors, from Roller Hockey to the NBA and from New York City to Los Angeles through his successful sports consultation firm, Stand Up & Cheer. This background, along with his dedication to fans, are the primary reasons the team owner, Schlegel Sports, selected him to oversee the business operations of the Iowa team.
"We are thrilled that Steve has accepted this position, and feel genuinely fortunate to have him on board," says Kirby Schlegel, CEO of Schlegel Sports. "There is no doubt in my mind that he will do great things for the Iowa hockey team."
"Iowa's AHL team has a world-class facility and passionate hockey fans," says Nitzel. "Paired with first-class Schlegel Sports ownership and a winning affiliation, Des Moines has unlimited potential."
The Iowa AHL Hockey team's 2008 season home opener will be Friday, October 10 at Wells Fargo Arena. The new team name, logo and colors will be announced next month.
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