By: Heather E. Ronaldson

As the Milwaukee Admirals’ regular season melts into the summer months, the fans pack up their blue and black colors in hopeful anticipation of next fall. But for the organization’s front office, the off-season is just heating up. Located on 510 Kilbourn Ave. in downtown Milwaukee, the Administrative Office organizes the nitty-gritty starting with the team’s schedule.

“[Scheduling] is at the essence of what we do. [It’s] the most important thing we do all summer,” Mike Wojciechowski, VP of Business Development, said.

Wojciechowski works with team President Jon Greenberg and Steve Costello, Bradley Center CEO, to coordinate the Admirals’ home dates.

Because the Bradley Center houses events for the Milwaukee Bucks, Marquette University Men’s Basketball and the Admirals, it is very difficult for the Ads to submit the required 56 game dates to the American Hockey League. The Bradley Center does, however, place certain Saturdays on hold for Admirals games.

Once the Milwaukee Bucks release their season schedule the Admirals can finalize game days.

In addition to finalizing the schedule, the team works to sell corporate sponsorships and promotions. To sell corporate sponsorships, President Jon Greenberg works to put the Admirals’ brand in the most positive light.

Greenberg will meet with potential sponsors in the office or on a golf outing, to share Admirals’ success stories from the past six years of his presidency—which includes success both on and off the ice.

And let’s not forget about the fun.

The Admirals think of every one of their 40 home games as a new way to entertain the fans. Some of the highlights during the 2011 season included: post-game concerts by the Dropkick Murphys, Huey Lewis and the News, and Rodney Atkins, celebrity appearance by Chelsea Kane, Bob Uecker bobblehead giveaways, and special pink jerseys.

Summer promotions are already in gear, starting with the recently completed garage sale as well as appearances by Roscoe at numerous parades and festivals around the Milwaukee area.

To keep promotional nights fresh, Wojciechowski challenges the administrative team to be more creative. Wojciechowski revels in the future fun and fan pleasing promotions. It’s the beauty of being an Admiral.

“Since we are a minor league team we can pull off promotions and do things that our counterparts in the NBA could only dream of,” Wojciechowski said.

For the 2012 season every Admiral, from President to intern, will be brainstorming fun, new and creative promotions to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Admirals as a professional hockey team.

And to get fans ready for the fall, the Admirals will have a presence at both Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.

According to Wojciechowski, “Its tough to talk hockey when it’s 95 degrees, but we need to be with the fans.”

Season tickets for the 2011-2012 season are on sale now for as little as $135. For more information, or to purchase season tickets, fans should call the Admirals office at (414)227-0550. Don't forget to follow the Admirals on Twitter (@mkeadmirals) and on Facebook!