April 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets By now you have probably noticed that there is an enjoyable experience in The AUD on Comets game nights. Directing game nights falls under Gina Nassivera's responsibilities. That list of responsibility shows that Gina does a little bit of everything, including literally turning on the lights.

The next time you visit the Comets website, click on the tab labeled team. Next, select Comets staff. Scroll down until you come to Gina Nassivera - Director of Game Operations. That's where you will find Gina's bio, and experience. On gamedays Gina can be found in the pressbox, in the last row of the building.

Like most, if not all employees on the AHL level, Nassivera's job description should include - and all other duties. Game Presentation encompasses a great many 'must do's', so hockey fans can have a memorable experience.

At The AUD since 10am, Nassivera will remain on location in all likelihood up to one hour after the game has ended. The hours are long but they are rewarding. It's 5:30pm, the Chicago Wolves are in Utica for their first-ever trip to skate against the Comets. After a long climb up to the press box, Nassivera has sole possession of the arena (one row down Brendan Burke is preparing for the night's Comets radio broadcast).

Sitting in the last seat to the left is where you will find Nassivera at every home game. This is where she directs all that is, in- between action on the ice. This is where game presentation happens.

When sitting down next to Nassivera, immediately you conclude that this is a busy woman. As the point contact with the production crew downstairs, Nassivera is reviewing with her team the night's script. What fans see come up on the video boards, what music they are treated to, they are all as a result of Nassivera calling the shots.

Between taking and making calls on her phone, speaking to the production suite employees, and working the mouse to her computer, all at the same time, Nassivera is busy, and by all accounts enjoying every minute of it. In Gina's line of work, timing is everything.

As the press box begins to fill Nassivera remains in her "zone". In all that Nassivera creates when the Comets are at work, as the National Anthem concludes, taking a cue through her headset - she reaches behind her and at the main control hits a large red button to bring up the house lights. Combing through the night's script, which she creates for each game, Nassivera crosses off when sponsors ads appear on the video board.

When Nassivera marks an X in her book, this is a good thing. What was planned comes off. Coming to the Comets after three seasons of experience as the Rockford IceHogs game operations and events manager, Nassivera knows how to get fans to react in and out of their seats. Continuously working, as the start of the Comets-Wolves game approaches, she begins to gather images of those in the starting line-up - ready for the viewing on the video boards, at a second's command.

Along with her previous experiences in Rockford, Nassivera has the education that duly qualifies her to hold her Comets title. First, earned was a BA degree at Castleton State (VT), then a masters in sports management at Northern Illinois University. There's no substitute for experience for Nassivera this season. Gina is pulling double-duty, wearing her director's hat as well as handling all music requirements. With the music director moving on from Utica as the season began, Nassivera absorbed the responsibilities.

Excerpt from:

Inside the Comets: Director of Game Operations Gina Nassivera