ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY TO HOST 2007 CHA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT

DETROIT – The 2007 College Hockey America (CHA) women’s tournament will be played at the RMU Island Sports Center in the greater Pittsburgh area on Friday and Saturday, March 2-3. The format will be consistent with previous years with semifinals on day one and a championship game on day two.

“This is a first for Robert Morris in hosting a hockey tournament,” stated CHA Commissioner R.H. “Bob” Peters. “We are delighted to be heading to Robert Morris and the Pittsburgh area to showcase CHA Division I women’s hockey.”

“We are thrilled to host the 2007 CHA Women’s Hockey Championships,” commented RMU Director of Athletics Craig Coleman, M.D. “We have a strong commitment to developing women’s ice hockey here at Robert Morris and this will be another step forward to demonstrate that commitment. Women’s ice hockey in an exciting emerging sport and we are pleased to give it additional exposure in western Pennsylvania by hosting next year’s championship event.”

Purchased by Robert Morris University in the summer of 2003, the RMU Island Sports Center is the region's premier sports and recreation destination. Located just nine miles from downtown Pittsburgh on the western tip of Neville Island, the facility is home to the RMU Division I men's and women's ice hockey teams, women's crew team and men's and women's outdoor track and field squads.

The 32-acre campus includes two indoor ice arenas and two outdoor multi-purpose rinks as well as an indoor golf driving range and Sports Dome, a track and field, miniature golf course, fitness center, batting cages, pro shop and bistro.

The state-of-the-art center, which opened in 1998, has been the site of such high-profile events as the Junior Olympic Figure Skating Championship, the National Short Track Speed Skating Championships, the USA Hockey National Tier I Championships and the 2005 World Street Hockey Championships.

With 981 seats and ample standing room, Collegiate Rink - home of the Colonials ice hockey teams - can easily facilitate over 1,000 spectators. And with the intimate size and low ceilings, the rink is an intimidating place for opponents to play with the raucous crowds. There is not a bad seat in the house, as even the top row of the bleachers is just a few yards from the action on the ice.

“We're very excited to host the 2007 CHA Women's Ice Hockey Championship,” stated RMU women’s head coach Nate Handrahan. “We have an excellent facility in the RMU Island Sports Center and I think this is a great opportunity to display the high level at which women's ice hockey is played. As an emerging sport and a new sport at Robert Morris, it is a good chance to showcase women's hockey in western Pennsylvania.”