Montclair State University Ice Arena is open!
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Our Team
Montclair State Arena’s highly qualified and trained staff is ready to help you with all of your skating and hockey needs. At Montclair State Arena customer service and safety are our first priority and all of our team members are here to make your experience the best it can be. We are here to serve you so if you need something or have a question just ask and we will be happy to help. Meet our team!
Rita Mitchell
General Manager
Rita Mitchell has been in the ice facility industry for over 25 years. Having worked each position in an ice rink over that time period, Ms. Mitchell has learned from the ground up what makes a rink successful. She has served as General Manager for several ice facilities across the east coast including the practice facility of the Washington Capitals of the NHL. She has also been a Regional General Manager, overseeing multiple rinks simultaneously. Having a vast background in food & beverage, sales, marketing and financial responsibility, Ms. Mitchell’s strengths play will play an integral role in maximizing results at the Montclair State Ice Arena. Contact Rita.
Andrea Astorga
Events / Food & Beverage Director
Andrea Astorga, a Montclair State University Alumni, has been a part of rink management since 2014 and puts on one heck of a party! Overseeing all events, as well as food and beverage, Andrea’s touch can be felt in all aspects of the arena. A life-long skater, Andrea also teaches on the ice, and in Learn to Skate. Contact Andrea.
Chris Knapp
Operations Manager
Chirs Knapp comes to us from the University of Deleware where he encompassed every aspect of the ice arena, and enjoyed making the ice and keeping it perfect. An alumni of East Stroudsburg University where he majored in recreation management, Chris is originally from Northern NJ, where he played youth hockey in several different organizations. He is happy to back home near family and has settled in nicely to the team. Contact Chris
Mike Liu
Hockey Director
Mike Liu joins the Montclair State University Ice Arena as Hockey Director. Liu has an extensive coaching history in the NJ area, including growing the Hockey in New Jersey program to one of the largest Hockey is for Everyone programs across the NHL. Before playing 4 years at West Virginia University, he was part of the 2003 Randolph State Championship team that was inducted into the New Jersey High School Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. Liu will be an instrumental part of the leadership team for Montclair State Arena, as well as the primary director for all things hockey. Contact Mike.
Deana Sroka
Skating Director
Deana Sroka has been coaching figure skating for over 30 years. Sroka specializes in singles, moves in the field and hockey. Sroka spent 15 years training and competing under Carlo Fassi and is a two time adult National Championship competitor. Dean is the 2017 Eastern Masters Intermediate Novice Champion and the 2019 Silver Dance National Champion. Sroka, or Ms. Deana as our skaters call her looks forward to sharing her love of ice skating with all of our Learn To Skate Students. Contact Deana.