Labeled “The Great Face-Off on the Great Plains,” the 2003 CHA Tournament will take place March 14-16 at the Tri-City Arena, with the United States Air Force Academy serving as the host institution. All six CHA member schools will qualify for the tournament, including Air Force, the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Bemidji State University (MN), the University of Findlay (OH), Wayne State University (MI), and Niagara University (NY).

      “Moving the college hockey tournament to Kearney is another shining example of the remarkable growth of hockey,” said CHA Commissioner R.H. “Bob” Peters. “The incredible reception hockey has received in the Tri-City area since its inception three years ago has impressed the hockey community throughout the country.”

      “The Tri-City Arena is an excellent facility and will meet the many requirements for hosting a tournament of this size and stature,” Peters continued. “This will be a monumental year for the CHA as our champion will join the champions of the other Division I conference tournaments that will be eligible to receive automatic qualification for the 2003 NCAA Tournament. The people of Kearney and the Tri-City area have given us a warm welcome, and we are very appreciative of their hospitality.”

      The CHA Tournament is one of six Division I conference tournaments involving 60 teams nationwide, including the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, Western Collegiate Hockey Association, Eastern College Athletic Conference, Hockey East Association and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The 2003 CHA Tournament marks the first time on a neutral site for the four-year-old league. The 2002 tournament took place on the campus of Niagara University in New York.

      “We’re excited to have this unique opportunity to play host to an NCAA Division I college hockey tournament,” said Greg Shea, Vice President of Operations for Kearney Hockey Inc. “Our company along with the Tri-City Arena will put forth an aggressive campaign to stage a first-class event for the athletes and coaches of the CHA.”

Tournament Schedule & Events:
Thursday, March 13
CHA Awards Banquet • Holiday Inn Kearney • 7:00 PM
Open to the public. Tickets are $20 and available by calling the Tri-City Storm offices at 308-338-8809.

Friday, March 14
Quarterfinals
Game 1:          3:00 PM
Game 2:          7:00 PM

Saturday, March 15
Semifinals
Game 3:          3:00 PM
Game 4:          7:00 PM

Sunday, March 16
Championship
Game 5:          5:00 PM

Single game and tournament tickets are available by calling the Tri-City Storm offices at 308-338-8809. Single game tickets are $9, while a tournament package is priced at $40 for all five games.