Proud to be from Pittsburgh: Longtime Penguins employees

PITTSBURGH — When asked about who in their organization makes them proud, the Pittsburgh Penguins were quick to name two women who have worked for them for nearly 75 years combined.

Cindy Himes and Carol Coulson each have four Stanley Cup rings. Decorative cases hold the four rings, each distinct, and each successive win growing in size.

Coulson has worked in the box office for 35 years, and over that time she said she has collected memories that feature some of the biggest names in Penguins history.

"Phil Bourque in particular would come into my office and sit in a chair after practice and buy a few tickets for friends, and I thought - you look so exhausted. You're going to go home, take a nap, come back and win a game? It just amazed me," said Coulson.

Himes has filled multiple roles with the team over the last 40 years, but her most important one may have been getting Mario Lemieux from his last radiation treatment for cancer in 1993 to a flight for a game in Philadelphia.

"When it was delayed a third time, Mario looks at me and says, 'Do you know anyone who has a private plane?' and I kind of laughed and said 'No, I don't know anybody, but I'll bet you do.'," said Himes.

Himes and Lemieux finally made it to Philadelphia, and the result was a moment hockey fans will always remember.

"When he stepped onto the ice, the noise in that arena, everybody cheering for him because they knew what he had gone through," said Himes.

The Penguins organization said it wanted to recognize Himes and Coulson for everything they have done and continue to do for the team.

"We're not only proud of them for having survived that long with the organization and having been here for so long with all of the contributions they've made over the years, but we're also very proud of what they bring to the organization," said Travis Williams, chief operating officer for the Penguins.

Himes and Coulson estimated there are only seven people who have all Stanley Cup rings, and they are the only two women in that group.

Cox Media Group