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Ralph Engelstad Arena <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">"The Ralph"</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">Image:Front Sign Arena.JPG </td></tr>
Location	One Ralph Engelstad Arena Dr Grand Forks, ND 58203
Opened	October 5, 2001
Owner	Ralph Engelstad Arena <tr><td>Operator</td><td>Arena Network</td></tr><tr><td>Surface</td><td>200' x 85' (hockey)</td></tr><tr><td>Construction cost</td><td>$100 million +</td></tr>
Tenants
North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey (Men's & Women's)
Seats
11,406

For the arena with the same name in Thief River Falls, Minnesota see Ralph Engelstad Arena (Minnesota).

For the pre-2001 arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota see Ralph Engelstad Arena (old).

Ralph Engelstad Arena (REA) is an indoor arena located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The arena is used primarily for ice sports, such as hockey and was built by University of North Dakota (UND) alumnus Ralph Engelstad. Some people refer to the arena as simply "The Ralph".

The arena, which seats 11,500, was opened in 2001 and is located on the UND campus. It is used by the University's men's and women's Fighting Sioux hockey teams. The arena also hosts many non-athletic events including concerts and a yearly circus. No expense was spared in the construction of this arena which totaled over $100 million. The entire arena is decked out in marble flooring, leather seating for all spectators, escalators, full-color LCDs and advanced lighting and electronics. A second indoor sheet of ice (this one being "Olympic" size) lies adjacent to the main arena. The arena is considered to be one of the top arenas in the entire world. Famous hockey player Wayne Gretzky has called the structure "one of the most beautiful buildings we have in North America."[1].

An addition to the main arena was completed in 2004 and is now the home of the University's basketball and volleyball teams. This addition is known as The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center (or simply "The Betty").

In 2005, Ralph Engelstad Arena celebrated its fifth anniversary. Since opening, more than 2 million visitors have passed through the arena's doors.

[edit] Competition

Grand Forks is unique because it is a relatively small market with two major event centers that often bid on the same events: the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Alerus Center. To a lesser extent, the Chester Fritz Auditorium in Grand Forks also sometimes competes for these same events as well.

[edit] Notable events

• The arena played host to the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships with over 195,000 tickets sold.

• It also played host to the West Regional in the 2006 NCAA Hockey Tournament on March 24, 25. The Minnesota Golden Gophers of the WCHA, North Dakota, also of the WCHA, the Michigan Wolverines of the CCHA, and Holy Cross of Atlantic Hockey, all participated in the West Regional. On the 24th, #4 seeded Holy Cross College defeated #1 seeded Minnesota 4-3 in overtime for one of the most improbable upsets in NCAA Tournament history. Holy Cross's season would come to an end the following night, losing to North Dakota, who was playing on their home ice. North Dakota's victory resulted in them going to the Frozen Four.

• The Grand Forks facility will host the 2008 Ford World Men's Curling Championship.

[edit] External link

• Ralph Engelstad Arena website

Current Western Collegiate Hockey Association Arenas
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) (Minnesota Duluth) • John MacInnes Ice Arena (Michigan Tech) • Kohl Center (Wisconsin) • Magness Arena (Denver) • Mariucci Arena (Minnesota) • Midwest Wireless Civic Center (MSU Mankato) • National Hockey Center (St. Cloud State) • Ralph Engelstad Arena (North Dakota) • Sullivan Arena (Alaska-Anchorage) • World Arena (Colorado College)

The University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota
Academics: School of Aerospace Sciences | School of Law | School of Medicine
Athletics: The Fighting Sioux | Baseball | Basketball | Football | Hockey | Soccer | Volleyball
Facilities: Alerus Center | Betty Engelstad Sioux Center | Chester Fritz Auditorium | Chester Fritz Library | Energy and Environmental Research Center | Memorial Stadium | National Center for Hydrogen Technology | Ralph Engelstad Arena (old) | Ralph Engelstad Arena (new)
Media: Dakota Student | Fighting Sioux Sports Network | KFJM