What exactly are your responsibilities when it comes to the Memorial Cup?

I’m the event manager for the Memorial Cup so I’m responsible for all the special events and the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) events that take place outside the hockey arena. I’m also responsible for the arrival of the cup ceremony, the opening banquet, the golf tournament and the Memorial Cup village that will be available to anyone.

What is the most stressful part of this job?

Trying to coordinate with so many people and having lots of unknowns. There are a lot of plans that are moving ahead but there are still a lot of things that need to be determined yet.

Have you had a chance to take a peek at the new suites that are being constructed at the Keystone Centre?

Yes and they are gorgeous.

Will you be able to watch the games at the Memorial Cup or do you have to work the whole time?

(Sigh) I’ll probably be working. It depends on what is going on that day. We obviously have a lot of things happening that day throughout the Keystone (Centre). Hopefully I can sneak in and catch some bits and pieces of some games.

You must be a Wheat Kings fan, so who’s your favourite player and why?

Oh I am. I share a season ticket. I just don’t follow individual players close enough. I had a life size Matt Calvert (cardboard cut out) behind my desk for a month, so let’s just say him (favourite player).

Does your job consist of bossing around guys like Director of Communications for the Wheat Kings, Rick Dillabough?

We work together as a team.

Good answer.

Yes, I know. (Laughing)

What are the perks to this job?

Well, I got to go to Rimouski during last year’s Memorial Cup. It was great to see the event in full swing and kind of imagine what it will be like in Brandon. There are eight A.M. executive meetings. Is that a perk? (Laughing)

Sorry Lois, I don’t think so. Is there anything new and exciting that you can tell Journal readers about the Memorial Cup week?

We have lots of things that, we as organizers, are so close to being able to tell the public but can’t quite yet.

We’re going to do a little word association. I’m going to give you three names, tell me the first word that comes to mind:

Rick Dillabough

Promoter.

Kelly McCrimmon

Driven.

Lois MacDonald

Busy.