A look inside the new hockey locker room at Munn Ice Arena photographed on Sept. 23, 2022
From the new player lounge, sauna and shooting room to state of the art locker rooms and an updated main entry, Michigan State hockey now has one of the best facilities in the country, thanks to a three year project to renovate its home arena.
Players, coaches, alumni, university administrators, family and friends gathered at Munn Arena to celebrate the completion of its recent renovations on Friday, Sept. 23.
First year Head Coach Adam Nightingale said it was exciting to see the renovations come along and finish up since he arrived.
“There's a big build up to this and a lot of time and effort and sacrifice from a lot of different people, for it to all come together, is an exciting day,” Nightingale said prior to the event.
The dedication included remarks from Nightingale, Athletic Director Alan Haller, President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., Trustee Melanie Foster, fifth-year defenseman Cole Krygier, graduate defenseman Christian Krygier and donor and MSU hockey alum Gary Harpell.
During his speech, Nightingale said the alumni played a key role in supporting the arena’s renovations.
“This alumni group is so tight, but bringing this space and a place where they can feel welcome and come back, is huge,” Nightingale said. “If we didn’t have the tradition that we have, this wouldn’t have gotten built.”
Nightingale wrapped up his remarks by acknowledging the donors who funded the renovations.
“One of our core principles to achieve is being selfless and putting others first,” Nightingale said. “When you talk about giving money to something that you believe in, that you can use anyway you really want, it's a pretty humbling experience for us to have that.”
Harpell and his wife Joanne donated $1.5 million to the expansion project in 2021. Harpell said his role in the Munn renovations renewed his relationship with MSU and Spartan hockey.
“I gained a sense of pride and a brotherhood that only comes from putting your own interests behind the greater good and something that is larger than ever, so much like our experience at Michigan State,” Harpell said.
Since it opened its doors five decades ago, Haller said Munn Arena has been home to one of the most successful programs in college hockey and that he looks forward to the program building on its past achievements.
“As we walk the halls today, you will see the program’s greatness and individual achievements of the past, and although it is important to celebrate the past, we continue to be ambitious about supporting the future to pursue our excellence in all we do,” Haller said. “We are excited to usher in a new era of Spartan hockey.”
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