April 25, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets It isn't easy keeping up with Cecelie Pikus at The AUD during games.

It's till a couple of hours before game time and Pikus, a Hamilton College graduate, keeps a steady presence and pace at The AUD. She has to - it's her responsibility. As the in-game host during Comets home games, what sponsorships, products, and contests fans have become quite familiar with, that seems to be the easier part of her title.

What and where Pikus is needed has become routine. When the Syracuse Crunch were on the ice for their pre-game warm-ups during their only appearance in Utica this season, Pikus was close to the skaters. On the opposite side of the glass of the Crunch, with two minutes to go before the ice is to be cleared of players and the zambonis take over, Pikus is meeting with the woman who will sing the national anthem. It's Pink the Rink Night, the Comets' contribution in recognizing breast cancer awareness. Pikus is demonstrating her commitment to stamping out the disease that overwhelming effects woman, by wearing her rose pink pants.

As the last of the players heads back to the visiting team's dressing room, Pikus is still concentrating on making sure the national anthem goes off without a hitch. There is a contingency of boy scouts who will accompany the singer out on to the ice. Pikus is administering last minute instructions for adults and scouts.

Details are what Pikus' responsibilities with the Comets are all about. By drop of the puck this Friday evening, Pikus will have been in The AUD for nine hours - with several more to go. After uploading pre-cut highlights to CometsTV for public viewing, Pikus' schedule will likely have her leave Oriskany Street West approximately one and a half hours after each home game.

With no prior experience working before thousands of people at a time, there are no visible pre-game, or in-game nerves for that matter, for the Short Hills, New Jersey native. "I've never done this before, except a public speaking class at Hamilton," says Pikus. "Opening night I was a little nervous but much less now."

As the pre-game ceremony is unfolding, the two ceremonial puck drops make things a little more complicated for Pikus. Still in her rhythm, all come off as planned. The rugs placed on the ice for the flag-bearing scouts and those being recognized are being rolled up, and scooped off the playing surface. Next up for Pikus, she will be doing a live promo for First Source Credit Union, a Comets corporate sponsor, halfway through the first period of this and every home game.

"I have no script. I pretty much wing it; ad lib," Pikus, who shares the same hometown with such notables as former New Jersey Devils Brian Rolston and actress Anne Hathaway, tells.

The small-town atmosphere of Hamilton (Pikus' brother currently attends her alma mater) and the Mohawk Valley, appeals so much to Cecelie that she decided to remain in the area after graduation. She tells of many of her classmates moving to New York City and Chicago for employment. Coming from a commuter town where a large portion of its residents work in the 'Big Apple', Pikus gives the impression that, for now at least, she won't be changing her New Hartford address.

Relaxed and enjoying the comings and goings throughout The AUD's nearby lower bowl seated fans, Pikus high-five's one of the evening's cameraman's young son. So, how did Pikus get her foot in the Comets' proverbial door? Completing a summer internship for the New Jersey Devils in their social media and marketing department was a big influence for her career path.

Continue reading here:

Inside the Comets: In-Game Host Cecelie Pikus