Cadet Ice Arena
Cadet Ice Arena
Virtual Tour | Heritage Minute (Cadet Ice Arena) | Heritage Minute (Cadet Field House)
Sitting at more than 6,600 feet above sea level, air is rare at the Air Force Academy. The Cadet Ice Arena, with a capacity of 2,217, has proven that home ice certainly can be an advantage.
The last 10 years, a ticket to Air Force hockey has been a hot commodity. From 2010-13, Cadet Ice Arena was sold out in 27 of 46 games. In three seasons from 2009-10 to 2010-12, Air Force averaged more than a sellout, the only team in the nation to do so. The Falcons have won more than 61 percent of all games played in the arena.
The Falcons’ first season of varsity hockey was the 1968-69 season when the team posted a 5-7 record at home. Air Force then went on to eight straight winning seasons at home. The Falcons finished 17-1 at home in 1974-75 and 14-3 at home in 1976-77. The team set a school record by winning 13 straight home games from Nov. 11, 1974 to Jan. 13, 1975. After two straight home losing seasons, Frank Serratore brought more than just winning hockey back to the “CIA.” In his first season, he led AFA to a 13-8 record. In 2008-09, AFA was 16-4 at home, the sixth best home winning percentage in history.
The arena was originally built as part of the Cadet Field House in 1968. Throughout the years, the arena has seen many improvements. In September 2000, the surface, refrigeration system, boards and glass were all replaced. In the summer of 2009, a new video board was installed on the south wall of the arena. Along with the video board, a new center-hung scoreboard and new sound system were added to the arena.
The spring, summer and fall of 2007 brought new events to the Cadet Ice Arena. On March 10, 2007, the arena hosted its first ever playoff game as the Falcons defeated Holy Cross, 3-0. On Sept. 16, 2007, the arena hosted its ever professional game as the Colorado Avalanche played their annual Burgundy-White game at the Academy. NHL stars Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk and company thrilled the over-capacity crowd of 3,031. The Avalanche Burgundy-White game returned to the “CIA” in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Prior to the 2019-20 season, the arena received a major upgrade, including new lights, new locker room, coaches offices, team work room and equipment and medical areas.
With Frank Serratore’s influence on Falcon hockey, the arena came to life. A foundation of winning was fostered that led to seven conference championships and three NCAA Elite Eights from 2007-2018. The banners for all those championships and NCAA appearances, along with championship photos, displays honoring the all-time greats along and much, much more have graces the walls of the Cadet Ice Arena, making an incredible experience for all who visit.
Sitting at more than 6,600 feet above sea level, air is rare at the Air Force Academy. The Cadet Ice Arena, with a capacity of 2,217, has proven that home ice certainly can be an advantage.
The last 10 years, a ticket to Air Force hockey has been a hot commodity. From 2010-13, Cadet Ice Arena was sold out in 27 of 46 games. In three seasons from 2009-10 to 2010-12, Air Force averaged more than a sellout, the only team in the nation to do so. The Falcons have won more than 61 percent of all games played in the arena.
The Falcons’ first season of varsity hockey was the 1968-69 season when the team posted a 5-7 record at home. Air Force then went on to eight straight winning seasons at home. The Falcons finished 17-1 at home in 1974-75 and 14-3 at home in 1976-77. The team set a school record by winning 13 straight home games from Nov. 11, 1974 to Jan. 13, 1975. After two straight home losing seasons, Frank Serratore brought more than just winning hockey back to the “CIA.” In his first season, he led AFA to a 13-8 record. In 2008-09, AFA was 16-4 at home, the sixth best home winning percentage in history.
The arena was originally built as part of the Cadet Field House in 1968. Throughout the years, the arena has seen many improvements. In September 2000, the surface, refrigeration system, boards and glass were all replaced. In the summer of 2009, a new video board was installed on the south wall of the arena. Along with the video board, a new center-hung scoreboard and new sound system were added to the arena.
The spring, summer and fall of 2007 brought new events to the Cadet Ice Arena. On March 10, 2007, the arena hosted its first ever playoff game as the Falcons defeated Holy Cross, 3-0. On Sept. 16, 2007, the arena hosted its ever professional game as the Colorado Avalanche played their annual Burgundy-White game at the Academy. NHL stars Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk and company thrilled the over-capacity crowd of 3,031. The Avalanche Burgundy-White game returned to the “CIA” in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Prior to the 2019-20 season, the arena received a major upgrade, including new lights, new locker room, coaches offices, team work room and equipment and medical areas.
With Frank Serratore’s influence on Falcon hockey, the arena came to life. A foundation of winning was fostered that led to seven conference championships and three NCAA Elite Eights from 2007-2018. The banners for all those championships and NCAA appearances, along with championship photos, displays honoring the all-time greats along and much, much more have graces the walls of the Cadet Ice Arena, making an incredible experience for all who visit.
Rare Air Water Polo Invitational - Day 1
Saturday, September 06
Falcons fall 3-0 to Cal Poly
Friday, September 05
Women's Soccer get first win on the road vs Gonzaga
Friday, September 05
Rare Air Water Polo Invitational - Day 2
Thursday, September 04
