Inspire, Winter 2000

Inspire 5 Tickling the Keys for Pro Hockey “Go, organ!” Each time Cedarville University senior Tim Priano hears that cue through his headset, Columbus hockey fans get another rousing song on the organ. Tim serves as the inaugural organist for the brand-new professional hockey expansion team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. A Pittsburgh native and die- hard Pittsburgh Penguins hockey fan, Tim was browsing the Web site for the new Columbus team when he came across their notice for organist auditions. “It was never really a lifetime goal of mine, but I thought it would be a lot of fun to do,” Tim explained. “I couldn’t think of anything better than to play the organ and watch hockey at the same time.” Although Tim is a 16-year veteran at piano, the organ was relatively new to him. He didn’t think that he stood a chance of snagging the organist position. But just two and a half weeks before the Blue Jackets’ season started, Tim was selected from approximately 20 applicants to be the Blue Jackets’ man at the organ. Knowing that Tim was going into the job fairly cold, the Blue Jackets promptly flew him to California to spend several days watching the San José Sharks’ organist, Jim Sealy, in action. Tim then jumped right into his job at Nationwide Arena, where the Blue Jackets play. “Not a lot of people have to learn their job in front of 15,000-18,500 people, but I’m getting used to it,” he laughed. Playing an organ for a professional sports team is not as easy as Tim makes it look. “It’s all spur of the moment,” Tim noted. Director of Game Operations Kimberly Kershaw sits in the penalty box and, via headset, tells Tim when to start and stop playing. Most of the time she gives Tim the freedom to play whatever he wants, but in certain situations she may require specific songs, like the Charge call, Let’s Go Jackets , the Hey Song , the Lone Ranger theme, or even bits from Phantom of the Opera . By the end of the season, Tim will have provided music in 44 games, stretching from September 20 to April 8. Even though his three or four evening games per week keep him out until 12:30 a.m., this business management major pulls an 18 credit-hour load at Cedarville University. “It’s exhausting, but worth it,” he shared. “This is the chance of a lifetime.” Tell us your story! If you have an interesting story for one of the following issues of Inspire (or if you know of another alumnus who does!), please contact the alumni office. Story ideas and alumni updates must be submitted by the dates noted below. (Unfortunately, we may not be able to use all stories submitted.) Spring 2001 – For Future Generations - Scholarships Have you started a Cedarville scholarship? Have you benefited in a great way from a Cedarville scholarship? Do you hope to provide for a scholarship someday? Let us know the “hows” and “whys.” (January 5, 2001) Summer 2001 – When I Am Weak At our weakest hour, we often see God’s strength in a whole new light as He carries us through the trial. We already have some wonderfully inspiring stories and are looking for a few more! (April 5, 2001) Atop Cedarville student Tim Priano’s organ at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus sits an “Organ Donor Jar.” Although Tim did receive a $1 tip from a fan, what he really wants in the jar are the requests and comments of the 15,000+ people who hear him tickle the keys at every home game of the Columbus Blue Jackets pro hockey team.