Arizona varsity bid to boost ice sports

Article posted by Coliseum, March 9^th, 2022

Image: Arizona State University

Arizona State (US) announced a deal with the Mountain America Credit Union (MACU) on March 3^rd for the naming rights to the practice and community ice rink that will be housed inside the new $134 million multipurpose arena being built on campus.

The ‘Patch’ stated that the Mountain America Community Iceplex at the Arizona State University (ASU) will serve as the training center and practice rink for the ASU men’s hockey team as well as a community ice rink.

The Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Founded in 1885 by the 13^th Arizona Territorial Legislature, ASU is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States.

The Mountain America Credit Union (MACU) is a federally chartered credit union headquartered in Sandy, Utah (US), regulated under the authority of the National Credit Union Administration. The Mountain America Credit Union is the second largest credit union in Utah.

The ‘Patch’ further stated that the facility will feature a 200-foot by 85-foot ice surface with a 300-person capacity, including seating for 185 guests. The lobby will have a concession stand and a full hockey pro shop.

ASU and venue operator OVG360 said the deal with the Sandy, Utah-based MACU was a multiyear naming rights partnership. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The American Global Advisory, Development and Investment Company for Sports and Live Entertainment Industries Oak View Group (OVG) has rebranded its OVG Facilities division after its recent acquisition of Spectra and renamed the division OVG360.

The university and OVG360, formerly Oak View Group, have yet to announce a naming rights deal for the 5,000-seat multipurpose arena, which will be home to ASU men’s hockey, wrestling and women’s volleyball and, for at least three seasons, the National Hockey League (NHL’s) Arizona Coyotes.

The Coyotes announced on February 10^th that they would play in the arena while attempting to get a permanent NHL-capacity arena built in Tempe, Arizona (US).

The Mountain America Credit Union will have a heavy brand presence in the main arena and the Iceplex. The latter is expected to play a role in growing the sports of hockey and figure skating in the Valley.

Said Frank Ferrara, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Sun Devil Athletics (the Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University in the sport of American football), “When we added men’s ice hockey to ASU’s portfolio of Division I sports, our priority was to grow both our program and encourage the development of hockey in our community.”

Added Ferrara, “We’re thrilled to expand our reach through a new partnership with the Mountain America Credit Union at our new multipurpose arena. It speaks volumes of MACU’s commitment to the local area and we look forward to working together to continue supporting hockey in the desert at all levels.”

Peter Luukko, Co-Chair of OVG360, said he expects the new Iceplex to be one of the best sheets of ice in the area.

Stated Luukko, “The Mountain America Community Iceplex at ASU will be a spectacular place for kids and adults to skate and to play the great game of hockey. It will be an inspiring place where a child can grow through our youth hockey programs and possibly end up playing here at the Arizona State University. We are excited about the future of ice sports here in the Valley, and we are grateful for this partnership between Mountain America, ASU and OVG360.”

The new multipurpose arena is scheduled to open in the Fall. The original project was expected to cost $115 million.

Another $19.7 million in upgrades has been added to the project in order to make the building an NHL-caliber facility. Those additions will include coaches’ rooms, equipment rooms and technology upgrades, all of which will be paid for by the Coyotes.

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