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| As of February (2001) 23rd, four women's games (two Green, two Red) and lined one Squirt (Youth, age 10 and under) game. Have six Squirt games scheduled in March. Why did you become an ice hockey official? I first became interested in the early 80's, when it became too hard ($$$) to play women's hockey in Western New York, but didn't actively pursue it until |
| jj's campaign last fall to recruit women refs. Now it's to challenge myself. What's are your impressions about officiating? Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be? It's difficult, but not as difficult as I first imagined. I still have far to go but am giving it the old college try- I'll wait for 20 or 30 games experience before I give the final thumbs up or down. Initial impressions: nerve wracking - keep everything sorted out between what's happening on the ice and what has been learned to DO about what's happening on the ice. Do you think being a woman affects your performance as an official, or how others (players, coaches, officials) respond to you? Having done mostly women's games, I don't have a clear read on that, though in other life experiences I have even had women react negatively to me doing what society had previously labeled as a man's job. Not enough data to really answer that. I expect some will react/respond differently as I see more groups. I am not in a hurry to ref older boys or adult men due to the size and strength differences. (Though depending on the adult level, I might be able to out skate - out shoot - out hockey some of the beginning men!) What are your goals as an official? I want to learn and do the best officiating job I can, especially in the women's league. I want to determine if this is indeed an aspect of hockey that I want to pursue long term. If after a season or two (at least 30 games) I am sold on the concept, in another year or so I will seek to become a level 2 official. |
| March, 2001 Featured Zebras: CARA WEITZSACKER and WHITNEY WELCH |
| Cara and Whitney are both new to officiating; they have only started working games within the past few months. They are being profiled because they have a fresh look at the game with new Referees' eyes. |
| Hockey Resume: |
| Officiating: |
| What other sports do you play and/or officiate? I enjoyed indoor soccer in Buffalo years ago. I have also played my share of beer league softball. But hockey, and working hard to keep in shape to play hockey, is my primary interest as a sport. I am pursuing hockey goalie in addition to defenseman and official. What are your non-sports interests? I am a voracious reader of most anything printed (technical and non-technical - except horror), and have a slightly eclectic taste in music, like to travel, and hang out with good friends, many of which, surprisingly enough, play hockey. :-) Contact Information: You can contact Cara by e-mail at: clwxps@hotmail.com |
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| 1980-81, Buffalo Cobras Women's Hockey Team, Niagara Frontier, Tier I; 1982-83, Cheektowaga Chiefs Women's Hockey Team, Niagara Frontier, Tier II. Both of these teams played internationally into Canada (Ontario). The level was probably very high Red or Maroon. |
| Cara, 37, now lives in Sunnyvale with cats Shadow and Frodo, but is a native of Lockport, New York (outside of Buffalo, NY). She is a Failure Analysis Engineer with Candescent Technologies Corporation. She plays in NCWHL's Maroon Division, and also at Hockey Work Out. |
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| Cara L. Weitzsacker |