The Division III Men’s Championship will begin play at predetermined sites beginning in 2006, and is currently soliciting bids from parties interested in hosting the event in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Currently, Division III Championships are located on campus sites at one of the final four competing programs.
“The committee hopes that this move will allow the championship to develop into an event that will create an electric atmosphere for the student-athletes and expose more people to the excitement of Division III ice hockey,” said the committee is a news release.
Bid materials are due March 3, 2004. Final approval for the site selections will be announced to the public in July 2004. The championship dates are March 18-19, 2006; March 17-18; 2007 and March 22-23, 2008.
“The Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Committee’s objective is to select sites that will provide maximum attendance and visibility for the championship,” the release said.
The committee says it will apply the following criteria in selecting sites:
- Quality and availability of the facility and necessary accommodations for participants, fans and media. Preference will be given to facilities with a seating capacity of at least 3,000.
- Geographical location. This includes consideration of the potential site’s accessibility, proximity to other areas of college hockey interest and rotation of sites. The committee would like to provide each region with an opportunity to host in 2006 or 2007.
- Revenue potential. Host institutions, conferences and sponsoring agencies shall submit a fiscally responsible proposed budget or financial proposal. Officials’ expenses, city and state taxes, committee members’ expenses and other items listed on page six of the financial report are not figured into the financial guarantee, since these expenses cannot be projected.
- Attendance history. This includes consideration of the popularity of college hockey, or other comparable sports events conducted by the prospective host, as demonstrated by attendance and ticket sales.
