Yost Ice Arena

CONSTRUCTED: 1923
DEDICATED: Nov. 10, 1923
CAPACITY: 5,800 (2012-13 to present)
PREVIOUS CAPACITIES: 8,100 (1973-74 to 1990-91); 7,235 (1991-92 to 1995-96); 6,343 (1996-97 to 2000-01); 6,637 (2001-02 to 2011-12)
RENOVATED: 1973, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2012
NAME CHANGES: 
  Fielding H. Yost Field House (1924-73)
  Yost Ice Arena (1973-present)
FIRST ICE HOCKEY GAME: Nov. 2, 1973

Check the Yost Ice Arena Home Page for information on public skating, skate sharpening, the pro shop and upcoming programs and events.

Built in 1923, Yost Field House was the largest indoor building of its kind on any campus in the United States. It was named in honor of Fielding Harris Yost, legendary coach of Michigan's football teams from 1901-24 and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics from 1921 until his retirement in 1941. It was the first of three great structures that made Michigan's one of the finest college athletic complexes in the country.

Originally constructed at a cost $563,168, the building was exceedingly simple in design, relieved only by long rows of tall windows at the sides and ends. It followed the spirit of the Italian Romanesque in its decorative details, and despite its size and the necessity of adaptation to its function, the architects were able to make it both impressive and dignified.

Yost Field House was, in reality, a building erected over an immense playing field which permitted room for a 75-yard dash at the center and an eight-lane running track around the balcony. A portable basketball court for intercollegiate contests was set up each winter in the center of the main floor. Down each side were seats to accommodate some 7,500 spectators. At the north end were locker rooms, showers, a training room and equipment room. Offices and a laundry for athletic equipment were also included.

From the date of its dedication on Nov. 10, 1923, the building justified its construction, affording ample opportunity for football and baseball practice during the winter months. It was also used for varsity basketball games, and the track facilities allowed for indoor practice early in the spring. It served as home to U-M's great track teams of the 1950s and the Cazzie Russell-led basketball teams of the mid-1960s.

Yost also served as the locker room and weight conditioning area for Bo Schembechler's first football teams in the early 1970s. In 1973, the facility underwent a $555,134 renovation, converting it to an ice arena. It has since been home to Michigan hockey, as well the U-M men's and women's ice hockey club teams, the synchronized skating club team, various area high school hockey teams, recreational leagues, the University's intramural hockey/broomball leagues and a variety of other community and university ice programs.

In the summer of 1996, the arena underwent a $5.5 million renovation which included first floor remodeling, north end seating, new Michigan hockey locker room and training facilities, second floor administrative offices and new press box facilities. These renovations made Yost a state-of-the-art facility once again while maintaining its historical integrity.

Five years later, a 294-seat club level balcony and lounge area was added, perched above the east side stands. More work took place in 2006 with a $2 million renovation that included improved amenities in the varsity and visitor's locker rooms. In 2011, a state-of the-art high-definition video board/scoreboard was installed.

In 2012, the ultimate renovation took place, essentially gutting the facility and restoring the windows throughout, all while maintaining the architectural integrity of the athletic campus. Yost now features new bleacher seats, ADA accessible seating and loge boxes, new premium seating areas, and a new press box area. There is an upgraded concourse with improved concessions and more points of sale.

The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved Oct. 19, 2017, an addition to the naming structure at historic Yost Arena. In honor of a legendary figure, the regents formally approved the designation of the ice rink as the Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena.

Seating Chart

The seating chart below reflects changes made during the most recent renovation. All sections of the arena have been renumbered.

Yost's Previous Tenants

• Yost Field House was dedicated on Nov. 10, 1923, in conjunction with the football game against the Quantico Marine team.

• The first basketball game played at Yost was on Jan. 11,1924, versus Michigan Agricultural College (U-M 23, MAC 19). The last basketball game played at Yost was on March 11, 1967, versus Iowa (Iowa 83, U-M 76).

• The first indoor track and field meet at Yost was on March 28, 1925, versus Cornell (U-M 64-1/2, Cornell 30-1/2). Michigan sprinter William Dehart Hubbard equaled the world record in the 60-yard dash with a time of 6.2 seconds at this meet.

• Football and baseball also used Yost Field House for training and practice.

The True Impact of Yost Ice Arena's Fans

"It's an old barn with a lot of history. Then you have the students who live for the team and the university. They're on their feet the whole game. The intensity and all the noise is a sixth man on the ice and it gives us extra energy. There is no place like it."
-- Former Michigan forward Eric Nystrom

"The crowd really energizes you and gives you an extra jump in your step. They really get behind us. It's a fun atmosphere to play in. It has to be intimidating for the other team to have to come in and play here."
-- Former Michigan captain and Hobey Baker Award winner Brendan Morrison

"The teams are already down two goals when they come into this place. It's a pretty ruthless crowd. When you play for Michigan, in their eyes, you can do no wrong. And, that's pretty special too ... a lot of guys feed off that energy."
-- Former Michigan assistant captain Blake Sloan

"The fans care and actually stay after the game and want to stay because they support us."
-- Former Michigan assistant captain Dale Rominski

"The crowd interacts incredibly with the game, especially the way the band plays to the game with the crowd ... It is the greatest atmosphere and I would not trade it for anything."
-- Former Bowling Green head hockey coach Buddy Powers

Address and Directions

Yost Ice Arena 1000 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Google Directions/Map 

From Detroit Metro Airport and points east: Take I-94 west to State Street (exit 177). Turn right. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through two stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot.

From Chicago and points west: Take I-94 east to State Street (exit 177). Turn left. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through three stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot.

From Toledo and points south: Take U.S. 23 north to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.

From Flint and points north: Take U.S. 23 south to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.