11:02 a.m., Oct. 13, 2010----The University of Delaware ice arena operation has undergone a series of changes, with a fresh new look, a colorful new website and an administrative shift.

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The administrative shift moves the University's figure skating program from the College of Health Sciences to the ice arena operation, which reports to UD Auxiliary Services.

James Kaden, manager of the ice arena, said that with the administrative shift came a renaming. “What used to be the Ice Skating Science Development Center is now the High Performance Figure Skating Center at the University of Delaware,” he said.

The changes are reflected in a new website that has been created, featuring profiles of each coach and information on news and events at the ice arenas.

Also, the front of the Fred Rust Ice Arena has been repainted and now features a University of Delaware sign. New UD logos, with a picture of mascot YoUDee playing hockey, have also been added to the locker room space within the building.

“When we made all these change, we also upgraded the arena itself from a physical appearance standpoint,” Kaden said. “We've done some HVAC work to better meet the needs of the arena and made upgrades in our ballet room and in our lounge area for the parents and for the skaters.”

In the ice arena's weight room, the University has added three new workout benches, a new treadmill, a new elliptical machine and a new television.

With the changes come opportunities for additional shows and competitions. “We've hosted a few ice shows and we're going to host a few more,” Kaden said. “We hosted a figure skating competition last year, so we're hoping to do more things like that now, both at the regional and national level. Also, we are hosting the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) national hockey championships in March 2011.”

Hockey changes

Kaden said there have been changes to benefit the various ice hockey programs that play at the University, as well.

The men's club ice hockey games will be streamed on-line and UD has added a referees room in the arena, providing referees who officiate games an area of their own in which to change and prepare for contests.

The club has partnered with FASTHockey for live game feeds including that of the 2011 ACHA Division 1 national championships.

Article by Adam Thomas
Photos by Evan Krape