Yost Ice Arena

Yost Ice Arena is a historic ice hockey arena located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is home to the Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team, which competes in the Big Ten Conference against teams like Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey and Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey. The arena is named after Fielding H. Yost, a famous University of Michigan football coach, who also served as the athletic director and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Yost Ice Arena has hosted numerous NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship games, including the Frozen Four, and has been the site of many notable games against teams like Boston University Terriers men's ice hockey and North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey. The arena has also been used for other events, such as concerts and University of Michigan commencement ceremonies, featuring notable speakers like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

● History

Yost Ice Arena was built in 1923 and has a rich history of hosting Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey games, as well as other events like University of Michigan basketball games and NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament games. The arena has been the home of the Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team since its opening and has hosted many notable games against teams like Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey and Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey. Yost Ice Arena has also been used for other events, such as concerts featuring The Grateful Dead and Dave Matthews Band, and has been the site of many notable speeches, including those by Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. The arena has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, including the addition of new seating and the installation of a new ice rink, with the help of companies like Hunt Construction Group and Rossetti Architects. The arena has been recognized for its historic significance, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service.

● Design and Construction

Yost Ice Arena was designed by George D. Mason and built by Spence Brothers, with a construction cost of around $400,000. The arena features a unique design, with a barrel vault roof and a brick exterior, similar to other buildings on the University of Michigan campus, such as the Michigan Union and Hill Auditorium. The arena's design has been influenced by other notable buildings, such as the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Cranbrook Art Museum, and has been recognized for its architectural significance by organizations like the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The arena's construction was made possible through the efforts of University of Michigan administrators, including James Burrill Angell and Marion LeRoy Burton, who worked with companies like Dodge Brothers and Ford Motor Company to secure funding and resources.

● Facilities and Features

Yost Ice Arena features a seating capacity of over 5,800, with seating areas like the Student Section and the Luxury Suites, which offer amenities like concierge service and catering from companies like Aramark and Sodexo. The arena also features a state-of-the-art ice rink, with a NHL-sized ice surface and a video scoreboard from companies like Daktronics and NEC Display Solutions. The arena's facilities have been recognized for their quality, being ranked as one of the top college hockey arenas in the country by publications like Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. The arena has also been used for other events, such as figure skating competitions and broomball games, featuring teams like the United States Figure Skating Association and the USA Broomball Association.

● Events and Tenants

Yost Ice Arena has hosted numerous events over the years, including Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey games, NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship games, and concerts featuring artists like Bruce Springsteen and The Rolling Stones. The arena is also home to the Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team, which competes in the Big Ten Conference against teams like Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey and Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey. The arena has also been used for other events, such as University of Michigan commencement ceremonies and high school hockey games, featuring teams like the Ann Arbor Huron River Rats and the Saline Hornets. The arena has been recognized for its event hosting capabilities, being ranked as one of the top college hockey arenas in the country by publications like USA Today and The New York Times.

● Renovations and Upgrades

Yost Ice Arena has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, including the addition of new seating and the installation of a new ice rink. The arena's most recent renovation was completed in 2012, with a cost of around $16 million, and was made possible through the efforts of University of Michigan administrators, including Mary Sue Coleman and Dave Brandon, who worked with companies like Barton Malow and Rossetti Architects to design and construct the renovations. The arena's upgrades have included the installation of new LED lighting and a new sound system from companies like Lutron Electronics and Bose Corporation. The arena has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts, being certified as a LEED building by the U.S. Green Building Council and receiving awards from organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Resources Defense Council.