Gopher Fans Say Goodbye To 'Mariucci Arena'

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The University of Minnesota announced a new corporate partner Monday, and that Mariucci Arena will be renamed. The Minnesota-based 3M have agreed to a 14-year, $11.2 million sponsorship of Gopher Athletics that includes the naming rights to Mariucci Arena. The facility hosting Gopher hockey will now be known as 3M Arena at Mariucci.

"Today's announcement brings together three names instantly recognizable across Minnesota - Mariucci, Gopher Hockey and 3M, and that's certainly exciting," Athletics Director Mark Coyle said in a statement. "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."

Mariucci Arena, which has a seating capacity of 10,000, was named for former Gopher hockey player and coach 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. "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."

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