The siren sounded, signaling the end of the first period of the hockey game. A few moments later, clad in a black tuxedo accented with a blue tie and cummerbund, Brian Hassinger, known to University hockey fans as "Brian the Zamboni Man," drives the zamboni onto the ice rink.

As he drives around the edge along the stands, kids of all ages hang over the edge to give high-fives and rub the driver's head. Cheers of "Bri-an, Bri-an, Bri-an" can be heard throughout the arena.

Hassinger said he really does not know why people like him so much.

"Maybe it's the ice we present, maybe the tux, or maybe my personality," he said.

This is the first year Hassinger has worn a tuxedo during all the home hockey games, which are played at the Pavilion in the Indoor Sports Complex. He said he wears it to advertise for On The Diamond, 101 E. Main St. in Boalsburg, a formal service where he used to model.

Not only does Hassinger drive the zamboni for all special events, but he also maintains the zamboni and ice, teaches driving, sharpens skates, and works behind the desk.

"I have dedicated people who work with me," he said, noting that his job is only a small part of work performed at the rink. "It's everybody. There are great people down here."

Hassinger said the best parts of his job are interacting with the people and preparing the ice for the teams, Hassinger said.

"This ice is a lost art. It takes a team effort," he said. He and his team flood the rink every night with a fire hose, which levels the ice, he said.

Hassinger explained that a cutting blade on the zamboni shaves the ice, which is then washed with cold water and rinsed with hot water. A 16th of an inch of ice is cut and then layed back down, he added.

While he is cutting and laying down the ice, he drives around waving to the fans and flashing a big smile.

Hockey fans offered different reasons for their enthusiasm about Hassinger.

"He's wearing a tux," said eight-year-old Ryan Nelson.

"He's the awesomest dude," said 12-year-old Aaron Sefchick.

Harry Nelson, Ryan's father, attributed Hassinger's popularity to his outgoing personality.

"He's a legend," said Todd Freedman (freshman-chemistry).

Hassinger, however, credited the ice itself. "We are in the 93 to 96 percentile of a total recall of . . . ice surface," he said, referring to the amount of ice that is retained during the zamboni's smoothing process.

Pavilion employees spent 36 hours preparing the ice for the International Collegiate Hockey League playoffs last weekend, resulting in the best ice of the season, he said.

Hassinger called last Sunday's game against Buffalo University's Thundering Herd his most gratifying experience yet at the Pavilion -- not only for him but also the Hockey Club. "We presented (the teams) with three perfect sheets of ice," he said.

"He's done an excellent job. Maintaining and keeping the zamboni is an art," said Larry Fies, director of the Indoor Sports Complex.

"I'd like to thank Herb Schmitt (associate athletic director), Larry Fies and everybody that is involved with the ice rink to make this possible for me and the team," Hassinger said.

"I've never been around a school with such fine people. Everybody is just so great," he said, adding, "We are Penn State, second to none."