Stirn supports 2018 Winter Olympics
Big Rapids native and Ferris State University alumnus Adam Stirn was among eight Zamboni operators with National Hockey League expertise invited to support ice-making at the Gangneung Hockey Center for the 2018 Winter Olympics based in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Feb. 9-25.
Ferris State Graduate Adam Strim on the Zamboni at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Stirn earned his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Ferris in 2007 and 2009, respectively. He began his pursuits in ice making as a student employee at Ferris’ Ewigleben Sports Complex and went to work at the Resch Center Complex in Green Bay, Wisconsin, after graduation. In 2014, he became lead ice maker for the University of Minnesota.
“I also work part-time for the Minnesota Wild, at the Xcel Energy Center,” Stirn said. “That put me on the Zamboni when the Wild hosted the NHL Winter Classic, at TCF Bank Stadium, Feb. 21, 2016. It was a unique experience to do my job in front of a crowd of 70,000 fans.”
Stirn said his opportunity to join the field of 16 technicians preparing the ice for all Olympic sports was impacted by the National Hockey League’s decision to continue its regular season and retain its players while the Pyeongchang games were being held.
“It has been a massive learning experience and an achievement being here, kind of the fulfillment of a ‘pipe dream,’” Stirn said. “When you consider the Olympics, it doesn’t get any bigger than that.”