NCAA’s Appreciation for Denver and the Frozen Four Location
Who claims that the NCAA is ignoring Denver? Surprisingly, the individual responsible for overseeing the Frozen Four has deep ties to the city’s sports scene.
Chad Tolliver, the NCAA director of championships and alliances, expressed his fondness for the area, stating, “As an Avs fan, I enjoy visiting (the Front Range)” when speaking to The Denver Post last week. He reminisced about previous hockey regionals held in Loveland, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Although originally from Indiana, Tolliver developed a passion for the Avalanche like many non-Denver Generation X fans did in the ’90s, influenced by the popular “NHL” video game series. He recognizes Denver as a true hub for hockey at all levels.
Despite Affiliation, Frozen Four Heads to Chicago
This brings up the question: why is the University of Denver Pioneers set to host the 2028 Frozen Four in Chicago, at the United Center, which is a full 1,000 miles away from Ball Arena? Tolliver explained that the decision was primarily related to venue availability, indicating, “I don’t think the building was available (for) the time that we needed.”
Future NCAA Events in Denver
Despite the move, NCAA representatives believe Denver remains a strong candidate for major events on its championship calendar. The exception seems to be the men’s basketball Final Four, which has shifted towards larger indoor NFL venues. Tolliver noted that without the Broncos playing in a roofed stadium, the NCAA would likely take its flagship event elsewhere.
Logistical Advantages of Denver
Kasey Gengler, associate director with men’s basketball championships at the NCAA, emphasized Denver’s strengths in hosting large-scale events, particularly its abundance of downtown hotel space and capacity at Denver International Airport. “Hotels need meeting space… all of that stuff — they have to be full-service,” Gengler highlighted, emphasizing how these logistical details greatly enhance the overall student-athlete experience.
Previous NCAA Events Hosted in Denver
Denver last hosted a women’s Final Four in 2012 and a Frozen Four in 2008. The city hasn’t held a men’s basketball regional since 1996, with Ball Arena being unable to host one since its opening in 1999. A scheduled regional in 2021 was canceled due to COVID-19, leading to this weekend’s games being a contractual make-up.
Denver’s Economic Impact and Future Bids
Matthew Payne, executive director of the Denver Sports Commission, projected an economic boost of at least $4 million from the weekend’s games, potentially doubling or tripling, depending on fan turnout. He expressed optimism about future bidding for NCAA tournaments, which is expected to occur later this year.
The Desire for a Future Frozen Four
Ball Arena’s capacity aligns well with the NCAA’s requirements for hosting events like the Frozen Four and men’s basketball regionals. Tolliver assured that any potential home-ice advantage for DU wouldn’t deter Frozen Four selection committees from considering Ball Arena. The NCAA has also announced that DU will host gymnastics regionals in 2027, along with additional men’s hockey regionals in 2026 and 2027.
