WMU awarded two more NCAA regional tournaments
June 30, 2003
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Western Michigan University and Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids have successfully landed bids to host National Collegiate Athletic Association Hockey Midwest Regionals in 2005 and 2007.
Last summer, WMU and Van Andel Arena were awarded the 2004 Midwest Regional after partnering on NCAA Tournament games in 1997 and 2001 that set regional attendance records. NCAA Tournament hockey returns to Van Andel on March 27-28, 2004, as one of four regional sites hosting the 16-team tournament.
The fifth and sixth NCAA Regionals at Van Andel will take place March 25-26, 2005, and March 23-24, 2007, respectively.
"We are very excited that the NCAA has given us the opportunity to host future regionals," said WMU Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard. "We have a great relationship with Van Andel Arena and look forward to making the NCAA Regionals a regular occurrence in Grand Rapids."
"Being awarded the regionals is outstanding news for WMU, Van Andel Arena and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. We are obviously very proud to be associated with such a prestigious event and a first-class venue in Van Andel Arena," said hockey coach Jim Culhane.
The Broncos earned berths in the NCAA Tournament in 1996, 1994 and 1986.
On Friday, the NCAA awarded regional sites through 2008 and announced that the hockey men's championship tournament, known as the "Frozen Four," would be played in St. Louis and Denver in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Media contact: Daniel Jankowski, 269 387-4138, daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu