She never performs on stage for the fans. She isn’t the reason they come to the Events Center. In fact, most people don’t even know what she does there or — even who she is.
But sit down with Sue Crane for 15 minutes, and you’ll realize having a dream job doesn’t always mean you have to be the center of attention.
Crane, 45, of Chenango Bridge, N.Y., paces back and forth from section 101 to 120 in the Events Center about 100 times a day. As the assistant director of Binghamton University’s newest arena, she is in charge of coordinating just about everything and is responsible for a staff of more than 30 people. But her primary concern is to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely.
And striving for that is all the motivation she needs.
“What motivates me, first of all, is my own inner satisfaction and pride in making the Events Center the best arena of its size in the country,” Crane said. “It’s not only a reflection of the Events Center but also a reflection on Binghamton University.”
Since the $33.1 million Events Center opened two years ago, Crane has been responsible for organizing major aspects of five concerts, featuring Green Day, Incubus, Harry Connick Jr., Bob Dylan and Ludacris. Along with Director Eric Backlund, she has also worked closely with organizers of Relay For Life, Late Nite Madness, commencement ceremonies, trade shows, a golf expose, local graduations and an international student dinner for 800 students, their families and host families.
On top of those special events, the BU men’s and women’s basketball teams play their home games at the Events Center.
Crane will never forget the night before the first basketball game.
She remembered the date instantly: Jan. 30, 2004. The men’s basketball game was scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday — a game that 4,660 people attended — and it was already 3 p.m. on Friday. The bleachers still had to be numbered, new light fixtures had to be installed and there was dust everywhere.
But Crane said when she arrived the next morning, everything was perfect.
That’s just a typical night’s work in the Events Center, a part the fans and athletes never see. It takes six hours just to get the bleachers ready for every basketball game.
“There’s a lot of physical work attached with the job, but at the end there is always a result,” Crane said. “The doors open and the show goes on. To the naked eye you walk in and it’s ready to go.”
The final result that comes at the end of every event is all the inspiration Crane needs, she says. Her boss shares that sentiment.
“You want people to walk out and say the Events Center was warm, safe, well lit and they really enjoyed themselves and can’t wait to come back,” Backlund said. “Things go smooth, and then you can look back at it. That’s what it’s all about.”
Backlund and Crane were co-workers at Telecommunications before accepting positions at the Events Center.
“If you’re comparing the two jobs, it’s like going from the mayor to becoming the president,” said Crane, who has worked in Binghamton for 18 years.
Most people wouldn’t mind performing for 8,000 fans at a concert, but Crane is pretty content doing her work out of the spotlight.
“I love when people ask me where I work,” Crane said. “I tell them the Events Center, and their eyes sparkle.”