Family comes first at Badger Sports Park

APPLETON, Wis. — Entertainment centers are often known for arcade games, go carts and putt-putt golf. Badger Sports Park is adding one more to that list: family.

Charlie Bruecker has a special connection to Badger Sports Park. He’s the owner’s son.

Bruecker said he has worked at the amusement center since he was 14 years old. He said being able to work alongside his family is an opportunity he does not take for granted.

“It’s everything. It’s everything,” said Bruecker. “If you get to go to your job and be able to work with your family, your family friends and be able to kind of connect through that way, I’m sure plenty of people would ask for that.”

Although he loves his job, Bruecker said eventually he wants to start his own videography business.

He said he got his first camera when he was a freshman in high school. Now, as a part-time job, he works to capture memories for other people. 

(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)

“It’s still a long-term coming,” said Bruecker. “I got some faith in a couple of years, it’ll all pan out.”

Bruecker is not the only one who started working at the sports park as a teenager. Karina Agen has been a team member for 15 years.

She said being able to make people happy is why she made this business her career. 

(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)

“It’s just nice to be able to be dealing with people and circumstances where it’s fun,” said Agen. “You’re just trying to make their day better and to bring them some fun.”

Bruecker said interacting with people at the park has given him the opportunity to work on his interpersonal skills.

He said when he sees the younger generation; it reminds him of himself at that age.

(Spectrum News 1/Geno Perez)

“So, it kind of allows me to have a different approach,” said Bruecker. “I think it allows me to show… the correct way to be able to do it, but also remind them, I want to have fun, too. If I let you have fun, I’m going to have fun. If I stop them from having fun, I’m sure it’s going to bring my day down, too. So… it brings it full circle.”

Bruecker said he used to think of his time at Badger Sports Park as a temporary thing. He said he did not realize how permanent the memories and his connection to the park would become.