Cleveland Indians' Snow Days to feature Ohio State vs. Michigan in hockey matchup
By JOEL HAMMOND
8:18 am, August 11, 2011
The Cleveland Indians have confirmed that a college hockey showdown between Ohio State University and the University of Michigan will take place next Jan. 15 at Progressive Field as the culminating event of Snow Days, the team's package of winter entertainment attractions staged at the ballpark.
The team introduced its first Snow Days, complete with ice skating and snow tubing chutes, last year; it drew 50,000 visitors downtown from Nov. 26 to Jan. 2. Last December, the Indians said the venture would lose money, but that it would be back for a second installment. This winter, it's set to begin Nov. 25 and last through Jan. 16.
The meeting on the ice between Ohio State and Michigan is advertised by the Indians as the first outdoor college hockey game to be staged in the state of Ohio. The Indians are calling the game “The Frozen Diamond Faceoff.” It would take place on a regulation-size staking rink that would be built on the infield of Progressive Field. A news release pointed fans to
http://www.indians.com/faceoff to register for a chance to buy tickets before they go on sale on Nov. 14.
In response to a question, an Indians spokeswoman said high school and youth hockey games also would take place during Snow Days.
A request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Indians in the team's search for a preferred hotel for Snow Days offers some detail about the team's plans for the hockey component to the winter attraction. It cites plans for a 46-team youth hockey tournament from Nov. 21 through Nov. 27, with “the majority of teams residing outside the state,” according to the RFP obtained by Crain's.
David Gilbert, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission — which promotes and stages various amateur athletic events across the area — said the Indians have discussed the youth hockey tournament with his group, but no agreement was in place. He said the sports commission would be willing to pitch in, if and when it was asked by the Indians.
The youth hockey tournament would follow a template set by NHL teams that have played host to the league's outdoor Winter Classic, held each New Year's Day in a different NHL city. It was held in Pittsburgh last year, and featured a week of youth and junior hockey tournaments at Heinz Field, home of the NFL's Steelers.
The college hockey game would add to each school's outdoor experience. Michigan in October 2001 played at Michigan State in a game that drew 74,544 fans; in February 2010, Michigan played Wisconsin. Last year, Michigan played host to “The Big Chill,” which drew 104,173 to the school's football stadium, known as “The Big House.” Michigan switched to a turf surface at its stadium in 2003, allowing it to avoid costly grass repairs.
The Indians already budget in turf replacement for Snow Days.
Ohio State, meanwhile, in 2006 played Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers.
