We reported that the WIAA State Boys and Girls Tournament could be on it’s way out of Madison because of some scheduling issues surrounding the Big Ten Hockey Conference tournament dates. Well today that news is being confirmed by a report out of the Wisconsin State Journal.
Green Bay could become the new host for both the Boys and Girls tournaments starting as early as next season, but for sure by the season following next. Some thought that after the Badgers and Ohio State convinced the other Big Ten schools to go to a neutral site Hockey tournament the tradition of 91 of the last 92 years would stay in Madison.
However, that and a last ditch effort by Madison and the Badgers were just not enough as today the WIAA Board of Directors confirmed to the Wisconsin State Journal that it has accepted the bid of PMI to host the tournament at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, WI (across the street from Green Bay proper & Lambeau Field).
While it does suck to see the home of the tournament change the Resch Center is the best possible venue for this event, having attended many a game there I can tell you the place will really rock for tournament games and have a great feel and look for those watching on TV.
Not only that but people are going to really love the fact that parking won’t be crazy hard to find or expensive for them as they plan on only charging for it once per day. Lambeau Field and the surrounding stadium district provide ample parking for any event and it’s a small walk from there to the Resch Center. It’s also pretty easy in – easy out for most. Couple that with the guarantee that you don’t need a multiple night stay at the hotels in Green Bay for fans coming from far away and it’s a bit easier on the pocketbook of fans from Milwaukee and beyond.
Personally, I’m sad to see the tradition of going to Madison leaving as it was always huge chatter in the hallways of school as we came close to getting there twice in my time as a student at Bay Port. But on the flipside I’m also excited for Green Bay and for the area because of what it can offer, making the tournaments the focal point of the city and expand the offerings of fans beyond just the games.
It will be interesting to see how the Packers get involved because as of right now all we know is that they’ve plegged to be involved in what’s going on with the tournament.
While it’s tough to say goodbye to Madison it’s also time to start a new tradition and say hi to a great facility in the Resch Center. The city of Green Bay welcomes the WIAA Boys and Girls state tournaments with open arms.
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