‘Cog in the wheel’: Anthony Camelio is vital to Rush’s success

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Sports are so much more than the game and its players.

Rapid City Rush equipment manager Anthony Camelio is a prime example of that. The 24-year-old works tirelessly to fill the needs of every Rush player. His job isn’t just limited to doing laundry and cleaning lockers, it entails a lot more than you’d probably imagine.

“You just want to take a seat on a black couch and relax, but you know someone’s got to do the work, it’s got to get done,” Camelio said.

Camelio has been around professional hockey since he was just a little kid. His father, Jeff Camelio, worked many years for the Nashville Predators before taking his first job as head equipment manager with the Seattle Kraken in October 2020. Anthony worked for his father last season as a locker room attendant.

“I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to learn a bunch from my dad. Even things that he didn’t teach me directly just seeing it all...seeing it all done for so long you’re able to pick up a couple of things.”

Not everyone wants to follow in their parents footsteps, but Anthony quickly found a passion for what he calls a “children’s game,” and wanted to find a way to always be involved.

“Just be a cog in the wheel, you know, it’s a lot of fun to help put a product together on the ice, give these guys everything they need.”

“On a typical day I’m getting here around 6:30 a.m. Wake up in the morning and come right to the rink. I’ll start getting the practice gear out, set them all up. Usually, there’s sharpens to do in the morning.”

Anthony’s priority is making everyone else’s day be as seamless as possible.

“When these guys come in you want them to feel as if everything’s the same, everything’s perfect. You know, it’s not a frat house, it’s not...we’re in professional hockey now, so you want to give these guys everything they can.”

“There’s a lot to it, you know some people don’t really grasp how much there is to do, but it’s a lot of work, long hours, but definitely worth it.”

Copyright 2024 KEVN. All rights reserved.