Wessman Arena Highlights

Yellowjacket Hockey

Wessman Arena is the home of the UW-Superior men’s and women’s hockey teams, each a powerhouse at the Division III level.  The men have established a deep and rich tradition, having won two NCHA conference championships (1994, 2001), five WIAC conference championships (1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2004), six NCHA playoff championships (1994, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) and two national championships (1976, 2002).  The program has also made 11 trips to the NCAA tournament.  54 former men’s hockey players have been named All-American.

The women’s program has built a tradition of its own.  Several players have gone on from UW-Superior to compete for teams at the Division I level.  In only seven years of existence, the team has won two NCHA regular season championships (2000, 2004) and qualified for their first NCAA tournament in 2006.  The program has also produced six All-Americans.

For ticket information contact the UW-Superior Athletic Office at (715) 395-4693.  Tickets are available at the door on game days and may be pre-sold for certain games.  Ticket prices for Yellowjacket hockey games are $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and $4 for non-UWS students.  UW-Superior students, faculty and staff are admitted free when they present a valid campus ID.

Spartan Hockey

Wessman Arena is also the long-standing home of the Superior High School boy’s hockey team.  A program rich in tradition, the Spartans have won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association state hockey championship 13 times, the most recent coming in 2005.  The program has also produced many players that have competed at the NCAA Division I and Division III levels as well as at the various levels of minor pro hockey. 

Tickets for Spartan hockey games are available the day of the game at Wessman Arena.  Ticket prices for Spartan hockey games are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.

Superior Figure Skating Club

Another long-time tenant of Wessman Arena is the Superior Figure Skating Club.  Affiliated with the United States Figure Skating Association, the SFSC currently serves skaters who range in age from six to adult who participate in both competitive and recreational skating.  The club provides six coaches who instruct group and private lessons.  In addition to the 45 regular club members, there’s between 50 and 100 skaters taking part in the Basic Skills Learn to Skate Program.

For more information on the club and its membership, click here to be redirected to their web site or contact club president Eric Schlacks at (715) 392-9195.

Open Skating

Throughout the ice season, Wessman Arena offers open skating for the campus community and general public.  Open skating is offered Monday through Friday from 12-1 pm and on Sunday from 11 am-1 pm.  Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children 13 and under.  Children who are 2 and under are free, as are UW-Superior students, faculty and staff who present a valid campus ID.  Season skating passes are available.

Intramurals

The Campus Recreation Department at UW-Superior offers intramural hockey and broomball at Wessman Arena during the course of the ice season.  Hockey is played during the first semester on a drop-in basis (no set teams, just show up and play) from late October through late December.  During the second semester programming switches to broomball.

Other Events

Other Wessman Arena events include:

• Trade shows
• Car sales
• Flea markets
• Commencement exercises
• Wedding receptions
• Concerts
• Business meetings
• Reunions

Building Facts

Year built: 1969-1970

Cost of Construction: $1,312,240

Seating Capacity: 1,562 (number does not include standing room or special need seating)

Overall Capacity: 2,700

Ice sheet: 195’ x 87’

Dressing Rooms: 4

First Game: November 15, 1970 vs. University of Wisconsin (the Badgers won 13-1)