Jacksonville, FL– The Jacksonville Icemen announced today the expansion of it's communications, business development, and ticket sales departments as a result of the tremendous success of it's inaugural season. Three key personnel have been hired to help maintain the club's rank as one of the top-drawing teams in the ECHL.
St. Augustine local Sarah Ruwe is spearheading the communications department as director of communications. Ruwe has a degree in telecommunication - news from the University of Florida where she worked as a sports reporter for WRUF-AM and GatorZone, covering Florida Gators athletics and the Jacksonville Jaguars, among others. Following college, she worked as an emcee for the Kansas City Royals (MLB) and Missouri Mavericks (CHL), and as a sideline reporter for Metro Sports.
Carli Faust joins the team as the business development manager. The Mt. Prospect, IL native has a sports, entertainment, and event management degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. Faust brings extensive hockey experience to the Icemen having previously worked for the Providence Bruins (AHL), and three ECHL teams including Jacksonville's in-state rival, the Florida Everblades.
Trent Blair has been added as a ticket sales representative. The Jacksonville local is attending the University of North Florida where next month he will receive a degree in sport management with a community sports minor. While at UNF, Blair worked in the athletic department and also volunteered with the NFL during the Pro Bowl in Orlando.
Jacksonville is ranked 4th among attendance in the well-established 27-team ECHL, averaging over 5,500 fans each game. The Icemen are making a strong push for the playoffs, sitting only 8-points behind 4th place Atlanta for the final spot in the South. The team is in the midst of a seven-game road stretch that continues tonight in Greenville at 7:00 p.m. Full schedule and tickets at www.JacksonvilleIcemen.com/schedule/.