Tuesday, June 21, 2011

L.C. Walker Arena to host WMU, first collegiate hockey game

Press Release

Muskegon, Mich. – Logger Hockey LLC is proud to announce that it will host an event unprecedented at the L.C. Walker Arena – a Division-I college hockey game.

The Western Michigan University Broncos, coming off their first at-large NCAA Tournament bid in 15 years, will face the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in Muskegon at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.

“When I came to Muskegon a year ago, I saw this opportunity as being so much more than hockey,” Logger Hockey Owner and CEO Josh Mervis said. “My goal is to revitalize this building and make it a magnet for great events downtown. This is only the beginning.”

“The leadership at the L.C. Walker Arena is committed to not only featuring the top level of junior hockey, but also to bringing more life to the facility – and the entire downtown area – with a greatly expanded slate of entertainment,” Muskegon Mayor Steve Warmington said.

The Broncos are coached by one of the most rapidly burgeoning coaches in all of sports, Jeff Blashill. The Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., native led his team to its first CCHA Tournament Championship game at Joe Louis Arena since 1986. The team earned its first at-large NCAA Tournament berth since 1996. Blashill, 37, was named the U.S. College Hockey Online National Coach of the Year, National Coach of the Year by both Inside College Hockey and College Hockey news, as well as Michigan College Hockey.

“Jeff Blashill is the hottest young coach in college hockey,” Mervis said. “Look at what he’s done in just one year. He’s done a remarkable job and we’re honored to have his team in our building.”

Originally conceived by Mr. Louis C. Walker, the arena was built to provide for the recreational needs of his employees and the Muskegon area residents. The L.C. Walker Sports Arena was built in the late 1950s, and was dedicated to the City of Muskegon on Oct. 27, 1960. Since then, it has seen numerous championship trophies hoisted, and has been the site of countless hockey memories.

The arena has undergone massive renovations over the past year with the addition of a state-of-the-art scoreboard, a National Hockey League-worthy locker room, a weight room and a cutting-edge players’ lounge. But it retains the old-barn feel that would make the most staunch sports writer’s hairs stand on end.

“I think the players and coaches are going to go crazy over playing here,” Mervis said. “This is a dynamic building and it will be a great event – a great family event.”

The historic arena will play host to a veritable hockey smorgasbord on Oct. 1. The daytime will be packed with hockey action leading up to the main event, which will feature all the sights, sounds and concessions of a premier D-I college hockey game. Tickets will be $15, and youth tickets will be $8.

The event comes on the heels of Logger Hockey’s announcement of its partnership with Global Spectrum, the fastest-growing firm in the public assembly management field and a subsidiary of the internationally recognized sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor.

“Global Spectrum is a proven industry leader, and we’ll have many exciting events to announce in the very near future,” Mervis said.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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