Western Michigan will host outdoor hockey game against Michigan
Michigan and Western Michigan will play a marquee nonconference game Jan. 30 at Waldo Stadium, home of WMU's football team.
The outdoor hockey craze is making its way to Kalamazoo. Western Michigan will host Michigan in a marquee college hockey game at Waldo Stadium on Jan. 30, WMU athletic director Dan Bartholome announced Thursday.
It will be the first hockey game played at WMU's football stadium. Bartholomae said the game could draw 30,000 fans or more. Talks have been ongoing for nearly two years, Bartholomae said, adding that Western Michigan wanted a regional nonconference opponent, but had to find a way to work outside of the college football window.
More: How a rugby book helped get Michigan hockey back to the Frozen Four Western Michigan and Michigan are two of the top hockey programs in the nation, with the Broncos the defending Division I national champions, and the Wolverines playing in the Frozen Four later this month. "It's going to be so cool," Bartholomae said Thursday. "We want this to be more than just a game.
"This is going to be awesome. " Bartholomae said ticket information will be released later this summer, with season-ticket holders, donors and students getting first priority. Bartholomae told The News on Thursday that he expects to the event to be a revenue generator for the athletic department.