The 3M company is paying Gopher Athletics $11.2 million over 14 years ($800K/year) to be the naming sponsor. Officially the 10,000 seat rink will be as 3M Arena at Mariucci. (Unofficially, by keeping the Mariucci name on the building it will be known as Mariucci Arena.) Based in Maplewood, MN, 3M has been headquartered in the state for over a century.
“Today’s announcement brings together three names instantly recognizable across Minnesota – Mariucci, Gopher Hockey and 3M – and that’s certainly exciting,” said Athletics Director Mark Coyle in a statement released by the University. “This sponsorship will have a broad impact across our athletics department by supporting construction of our new Athletes Village. By partnering with us, 3M is investing in every current and future Gopher student-athlete, the future leaders of our state. 3M will be a big reason why each of those young men and women have a first-class experience at Minnesota that prepares them for the rest of their lives.”
The building has been known as Mariucci Arena since opening in 1993. Prior to that, the ice sheet next door at Williams Arena where the Gophers played prior to moving was renamed in 1985 in honor of John Mariucci.
"Our father and grandfather was a life-long Minnesotan, and would have been thrilled to see 3M showing so much support for the University and for men's hockey,” said John Mariucci Jr., speaking on behalf of the Mariucci family. “To have 3M, one of Minnesota's most respected and well-known brands, be a part of the rich history of Gopher hockey and the Mariucci legacy is exciting. We are happy that 3M and the U felt it was important to continue honoring our father and grandfather's legacy and kept the Mariucci name tied to the arena. It's a privilege for our family to be so closely associated with two of Minnesota's most recognizable and important institutions."
Minnesota is the second Big Ten school (Ohio State) and fourth in Minnesota (all but St. Cloud State) to have naming rights on their men's hockey arena.
The building has been known as Mariucci Arena since opening in 1993. Prior to that, the ice sheet next door at Williams Arena where the Gophers played prior to moving was renamed in 1985 in honor of John Mariucci.
"Our father and grandfather was a life-long Minnesotan, and would have been thrilled to see 3M showing so much support for the University and for men's hockey,” said John Mariucci Jr., speaking on behalf of the Mariucci family. “To have 3M, one of Minnesota's most respected and well-known brands, be a part of the rich history of Gopher hockey and the Mariucci legacy is exciting. We are happy that 3M and the U felt it was important to continue honoring our father and grandfather's legacy and kept the Mariucci name tied to the arena. It's a privilege for our family to be so closely associated with two of Minnesota's most recognizable and important institutions."
Minnesota is the second Big Ten school (Ohio State) and fourth in Minnesota (all but St. Cloud State) to have naming rights on their men's hockey arena.
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