WSU officially back home at Fairgrounds

Article by MichiganCollegeHockey Editor Matt Mackinder

Wayne State University director of athletics Rob Fournier announced today the Warrior men's hockey team will play its home games for the next three seasons at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum starting this fall.

"As we continue to look for that `home' away from campus, the Coliseum at the Fairgrounds offers us proximity, a classic venue and familiarity," said Fournier. "Hopefully our fans will quickly transition back to the Fairgrounds to create the atmosphere a top-tier college program should play before."

WSU head coach Bill Wilkinson begins his seventh season behind the Warrior bench in the same arena Wayne State hosted its first hockey game, the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum. The inaugural home game was Nov. 5, 1999 - an 8-4 loss to Western Ontario.

"We are excited to be back at the Fairgrounds," commented Wilkinson. "The Coliseum has a great aura. It will be nice to practice and play at the same building. Hopefully this location will allow our students to attend on a more regular basis. Playing in a centrally located arena will be a bonus for our fans in metro Detroit."

After playing its inaugural campaign at the Coliseum, WSU played the next three seasons at the Great Lakes Sports City Arena in Fraser followed by two seasons at the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth. The third season in Fraser also saw WSU play two homes game at Joe Louis Arena, Taylor SportsPlex and Compuware.

In addition to serving as the home arena for Warrior men's hockey in 2005-06, the Coliseum will be the site of the 2006 College Hockey America men's and women's conference tournaments March 9-12.

The first action for the men comes Oct. 4 as WSU hosts the Oakland University club team in an exhibition contest at 7:05 p.m.