November 3, 2012

Quinnipiac Selected As Site Of 2014 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship

WTIC/Fox 61 Sports Report on QU Receiving the Bid to Host the 2014 NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Frozen Four

HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac University Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack McDonald has announced that Quinnipiac's High Point Solutions Arena at the TD Bank Sports Center has been selected as the host site for the 2014 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship.. Quinnipiac is the first ECAC Hockey institution to host the NCAA Women's Frozen Four on campus since its inception in 2001. St. Lawrence hosted the 2007 championship at Lake Placid, N.Y.

"Quinnipiac is honored to have the High Point Solutions Arena at the TD Bank Sports Center chosen as the venue for the 2014 NCAA National College Women's Ice Hockey Championship," McDonald said. "We feel very confident that our facility, our staff and our fans will show the NCAA, women's ice hockey student-athletes and fans a first class championship experience."

This season, the Women's Frozen Four will be hosted by the University of Minnesota at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. Past venues have included Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minn., the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H., the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass. and Herb Brooks Arena at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y.

"We look forward to working with Quinnipiac University and bringing the 2014 National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship to the TD Bank Sports Center," Megan McHugo Morrison, Chair of the National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Committee, said. "It will be a tremendous venue for the Championship and we know the Quinnipiac staff will provide a wonderful student-athlete experience in this state-of-the-art building."

Quinnipiac's TD Bank Sports Center is a 185,000-square-foot facility with basketball and hockey arenas joined by a common lobby area and university club. The new athletic center also includes: offices, locker rooms, club and premium seating, conference and meeting rooms, storage and weight-training facilities. The center is the first building in Quinnipiac's $360 million project to develop its 250-acre York Hill campus off Sherman Avenue, less than a mile from the Mount Carmel campus.

The vast center includes a number of amenities designed with both athletes and guests in mind, including:

The University Club — Named by trustee and chairman of the executive committee, Fred and Didi Mancheski, the post club contains professional kitchen and views of both the basketball and hockey arenas.
Athletic Re-hab and Athletic Taping Area — Named by Peter and Marie Gambino, parents of Michael '06, this centrally located facility contains an area for taping of ankles, athletic training and treatment areas and a private doctor's examining room in case of an injury.
Varsity Strength and Conditioning Room — Named by Bob and Patricia Hammel, parents of Rob '05, this spacious, mirrored facility is filled with cardio and strength equipment. The intercollegiate basketball and hockey athletes have a stunning view to keep them inspired as they work out.

NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY FROZEN FOUR HISTORY

YEAR	CHAMPION (RECORD)	SCORE	RUNNER-UP	SITE	Attendance
2012	Minnesota (33-5-2)	4-2	Wisconsin	Duluth, Minn.	2,439
2011	Wisconsin (37-2-2)	4-1	Boston University	Erie, Pa.	3,956
2010	Minnesota-Duluth (31-8-2)	3-2 (3 ot)	Cornell	Minneapolis	1,473
2009	Wisconsin (33-2-5)	5-0	Mercyhurst	Boston	2,437
2008	Minnesota-Duluth (34-4-1)	4-0	Wisconsin	Duluth, Minn.	4,031
2007	Wisconsin (36-1-4)	4-1	Minnesota-Duluth	Lake Placid, N.Y.	3,355
2006	Wisconsin (36-4-1)	3-0	Minnesota	Minnesota	4,701
2005	Minnesota (36-2-2)	4-3	Harvard	New Hampshire	2,056
2004	Minnesota (30-4-2)	6-2	Harvard	Providence	3,522
2003	Minnesota-Duluth (31-3-2)	4-3 (2 ot)	Harvard	Duluth, Minn.	5,167
2002	Minnesota-Duluth (24-6-4)	3-2	Brown	Durham, N.H.	3,102
2001	Minnesota-Duluth (28-5-4)	4-2	St. Lawrence	Minneapolis	3,079

What Others Are Saying

ECAC Hockey Commissioner Steve Hagwell:
"Congratulations to Quinnipiac on being chosen as the host venue of the 2014 NCAA Women's Frozen Four! The High Point Solutions Arena is a first-class facility in all facets, and shall serve as a tremendous venue to showcase the premier event in women's college hockey.The selection of Quinnipiac is a great testament to the efforts of the administration and staff at the university, specifically President John Lahey, Director of Athletics Jack McDonald, and Head Coach Rick Seeley. I know from experience that the participants and visitors attending the event at Quinnipiac shall have a most memorable experience."

2014 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach Katey Stone:
"Quinnipiac is a perfect venue for the Women's Frozen Four. Their hockey facility is first rate and will accommodate all teams with ease. The University's Athletic Department staff will ensure this event is supported and promoted to create a great experience for all student-athletes and fans."

USA Hockey Olympian Julie Chu, following Team USA's game against the ECAC Hockey All-Stars on Jan. 3, 2010:
"I got a chance to play at Quinnipiac and it was an awesome experience. This is a great venue! I think it's a great place with a great atmosphere and I hope that someday they'll be able to bring the NCAA Tournament here."

2010 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Coach Mark Johnson, following Team USA's game against the ECAC Hockey All-Stars on Jan. 3, 2010:
"Very exciting day for us, with the USA Olympic team able to play the ECAC Hockey All-Stars at Quinnipiac. Wonderful crowd – probably most impressive is the building we played in. I've been in a lot of rinks and this is certainly up there with some of the best. It certainly has the ability to host tournaments and hopefully we'll see a Frozen Four here."