Image courtesy of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation official website
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Bloomington Ice Center Manager Michael Hernbrott will be inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame under the coaches category in Jan 2025.
“I am humbled and honored to feel like I made an impact in my chosen profession,” Hernbrott said. “I already got enough of it between the different communities I worked with and the kids and families I have gotten to know. I got into this business as a perfectionist because of the joy I had as a young child and what adults did for me when I was younger. I like to think I can do the same for young children when they come into my facility.”
Herbrott has been the Bloomington Ice Center Manager for 11 years, starting in April 2013. He never thought he would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“ It’s not really something you think of,” Hernbrott said. “My mentor who I met when I was four years old was inducted into the hall of fame. Since I got into the industry, I tried to emulate what he was.”
Hernbrott was previously inducted into the Illinois State University Hockey Hall of Fame back in 2023. He advises fellow athletes to be vocal about what they wish to accomplish.
“Know what you want to do and tell people what your goal is, it’s amazing how many people that wants to help you,” Hernbrott said.
Herbrott has some years to go before retirement, but he says his job rarely ever feels like a job.