LaBahn Arena

Last updated
LaBahn Arena
Labahn Arena June 2017.jpg
LaBahn Arena in June of 2017
USA Wisconsin relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
LaBahn Arena
Location in Wisconsin
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
LaBahn Arena
Location in the United States
Location105 East Campus Mall
Madison, Wisconsin 53715
Coordinates 43°04′10″N89°23′49″W / 43.0694°N 89.39697°W / 43.0694; -89.39697
Public transit Bus-logo.svg Metro Transit
Owner University of Wisconsin–Madison
Operator University of Wisconsin–Madison
Capacity 2,273
Surface200' x 90'
Construction
Broke groundMay 11, 2011
OpenedOctober 19, 2012
Construction cost$34 million [1]
ArchitectKahler Slater, Inc.
Tenants
Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey (2012–present)
Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey (2020–2021)

LaBahn Arena is the home ice of the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey team. It was the second arena to be purpose-built for a women's collegiate hockey team; the first was Minnesota's Ridder Arena. The arena is connected via a tunnel to the Kohl Center, [2] which the women's team shared with the men's team from its inception in 1999 until 2012. The men's team also practices there. The facility also houses locker rooms for the swimming and diving teams. [3]

Contents

Naming

The arena is named for longtime Badger boosters Chuck and Mary Ann LaBahn, its main fundraisers. [3]

Background

Arena exterior, photographed in 2024 LaBahn IMG 7973.jpg
Arena exterior, photographed in 2024
2024 game at the arena St. Cloud State Huskies at Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey IMG 7281.jpg
2024 game at the arena

Before 2012, the women's ice hockey team drove from its headquarters at the Camp Randall Memorial Sports Center to the Kohl Center. Whenever the Kohl Center was being readied for a basketball game, the women drove to a rink in nearby Verona for practice. The men often practiced at the Bob Johnson Hockey Facility three miles from campus or the Memorial Sports Center when the Kohl Center was being readied for basketball. They often had to make these trips in dangerous conditions during Madison's typically snowy and icy winters, leading Wisconsin State Journal columnist Andy Baggot to argue that LaBahn's construction was a "necessity" for the players' safety. [4]

The men's ice hockey team also played at LaBahn Arena during the 2020-21 season. Normally, LaBahn serves as the backup venue for the men's team. However, during the 2020-21 season, the Big Ten Conference mandated all conference games be played behind closed doors. School officials felt they could not justify the expense of switching the Kohl Center between basketball and hockey without fans in attendance, and opted to have the men play the entire season at LaBahn. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisconsin Badgers</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Wisconsin Badgers are the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin–Madison. They compete as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level, primarily competing in the Big Ten Conference for all sports since the 1896–97 season. The women's ice hockey team competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), while the men's crew team compete in the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (EARC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camp Randall Stadium</span> Outdoor stadium in Madison, Wisconsin

Camp Randall Stadium is an outdoor stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin. It has been the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in rudimentary form since 1895, and as a fully functioning stadium since 1917. It is the oldest and fifth largest stadium in the Big Ten Conference. The field has a conventional north–south alignment, at an approximate elevation of 880 feet (270 m) above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradley Center</span> Former arena in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Bradley Center was a multi-purpose arena located on the northwest corner of North Vel R. Phillips Ave. and West State Streets in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kohl Center</span> Arena at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

The Kohl Center is a multi-purpose arena located at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, United States. The arena opened in 1998 and is the home of the university's men's basketball and ice hockey teams, and the women's basketball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisconsin Field House</span> University sports arena in Madison, Wisconsin, United States

The Wisconsin Field House is a multi-purpose arena owned by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and located directly south of Camp Randall Stadium. In addition to sports events, the Field House has been the site of large community gatherings such as convocations and concerts. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Suter</span> American ice hockey player (born 1985)

Ryan Suter is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars. Internationally, Suter has represented the U.S. national team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Michael Gordon Eaves is an American former National Hockey League (NHL) player and the former head coach of the St. Olaf College men's hockey team and for his alma mater the University of Wisconsin, where he was part of two NCAA National Championship teams with the Badgers. In 2019, he was named the head coach of the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL), a role he held until 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey</span> Mens ice hockey team of the University of Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The team plays at the Kohl Center and is currently coached by Mike Hastings. The Badgers ice hockey team competes in the Big Ten Conference.

The Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey team represented the University of Wisconsin. The team finished the season by winning the school's fourth NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Championship. Senior captain, Meghan Duggan, was awarded the 2011 Patty Kazmaier Award.

Jacklyn "Jackie" Crumnée Friesen is a Canadian ice hockey coach, currently serving as an assistant coach with the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey program in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) conference of the NCAA Division I. A retired forward, her professional career was played in Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame</span>

The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame honors distinguished members of Wisconsin's sports history. The Hall of Fame hosts several annual events, including an induction ceremony to honor new members, nomination luncheons, speaker series breakfasts and more. Bronze commemorative plaques honoring the members of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, including Hank Aaron, Vince Lombardi, Oscar Robertson, Bart Starr and others, are displayed in the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame promenade in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Daniel John Schachte was an American linesman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the first American-born official to oversee 2,000 NHL games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiserv Forum</span> Indoor arena in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Fiserv Forum is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is the home of the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team of Marquette University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Kunin</span> American ice hockey player (born 1997)

Luke Kunin is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played in the NHL for the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators. The Wild selected him in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Frederic</span> American ice hockey player (born 1998)

Trent Frederic is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Bruins selected him in the first round, 29th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K'Andre Miller</span> American ice hockey player (born 2000)

K'Andre Miller is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Hughes (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Cameron Hughes is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing with the Texas Stars in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Abby Roque is an American ice hockey forward for the New York Sirens of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She is the first indigenous person to play for the United States women's national ice hockey team, making her Olympic debut in 2022.

Britta Curl is an American ice hockey player for PWHL Minnesota of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) and a member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. She played college ice hockey at Wisconsin where she won three national championships.

References

  1. ↑ "LaBahn Arena nearly complete". Channel3000.com. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  2. ↑ Milewski, Todd (14 January 2021). "Move out, clean, move in: A look inside the craziness of Badgers hockey doubleheader days at LaBahn Arena". Wisconsin State Journal . ProQuest   2477311805. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  3. 1 2 Baggot, Andy (12 May 2011). "UW athletics: LaBahn Arena donations show dedication". Wisconsin State Journal . ProQuest   865979810. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Baggot, Andy (October 2, 2012). "Home ice advantage at new LaBahn Arena" . Wisconsin State Journal . ProQuest   1081831931. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Milewski, Todd (27 October 2020). "Badgers men's hockey team will play home games at LaBahn Arena in 2020-21 season" . Wisconsin State Journal . ProQuest   2454564248. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.