Facilities: Saint Louis University broke ground on its new $80.5 million multipurpose arena August 28. The new facility includes a 10,600-seat arena, a practice facility, athletics offices, locker rooms and athletic training facilities. "There were many skeptics who believed this facility would not become reality," said university President Lawrence Biondi. "We are here today to prove them wrong." Director of Athletics Cheryl Levick called the ceremony "one of the greatest days in Billiken athletics history." "This building is a product of a tremendous grass-roots fund-raising effort, because this is a privately funded facility that did not tap into student fees or tuition dollars. No matter the size of the gift, everyone involved in contributing to this building has the right to be extremely proud today," she said. The new arena will be home to Billikens men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball. It will host a variety of other events such as concerts, conferences, trade shows and commencements. It is expected to bring more than 400,000 people to Midtown St. Louis each year. St. Louis-based Clayco will build the arena, with an expected opening in March 2008 ... The Miami University (Ohio) men’s ice hockey team will soon be skating in the state-of-the-art Steve Cady Arena at the Goggin Ice Center. "We wanted a building we could be proud of and that would allow our programs to continue progressing," said Senior Associate Athletics Director Steve Cady, who is coordinating all phases of design and construction. Cady was Miami’s head ice hockey coach during the program’s first seven seasons from 1978 through 1985. Two NHL-size (200’x 85’) sheets are the focal point of the Ice Center, including a 3,200-seat arena named after Cady. The facility includes 2,800 reserved lower-bowl seats, 102 club seats, four opera boxes and six private suites. With standing room included, the arena’s capacity is about 4,000. "We took great care in making sure the intimacy of the old building would not be lost," said Cady, who has been the administrator in charge of Goggin Ice Arena since 1985. "What made that building such a special place was how close the fans were to the action and we feel like we have captured some of that same magic in the new arena." The second sheet of ice, with seating for 250, will be used primarily for practice but will see extensive use through youth hockey, intramural activities and other community-related events. The facility also includes state-of-the-art locker rooms. The arena will officially open for the 2006 NCAA Division I Ice Breaker tournament October 6-7.

Milestones: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, head men’s soccer coach Pete Caringi coached his 500th collegiate game September 8 against Drexel University. Entering that match, Caringi was 338-125-36 (.713) in his 26th season as a collegiate head coach and 168-98-28 (.619) at the beginning of his 16th season at UMBC. The Baltimore native is a two-time national coach of the year (1984, 1989), a three-time NCAA Division I conference coach of the year (1999, 2002, 2005) and has won championships as a player (1975 NCAA Division II title at the University of Baltimore) and as a coach (1990 APSL champion Maryland Bays). Caringi’s 1999 UMBC team posted the best record in the nation (19-1-2) and earned the school’s first trip to the Division I Men’s Soccer Championship tournament.