RMU's Frozen Four Leaves Economic Mark on Pittsburgh Region

The Robert Morris University-hosted Frozen Four Tournament at Consol Energy Center could have an $11 to 13 million economic impact on the Pittsburgh region, according to a university official.

Marty Galosi, RMU assistant athletic director, said the tournament, running at the arena through Saturday, is expected to bring more than 13,000 college hockey fans to Pittsburgh. 

Galosi said the university secured a bid in 2012 to host the tournament, which marks Pittsburgh's first NCAA championship. 

"I would hope that this is drawing people from outside of the area into Pittsburgh," he said. 

Yale and Quinnipiac will meet tomorrow in the tournament's final round. 

"This is increased visibility for our program," Galosi said. "It's national recognition for the city and for us as the host institution. First and foremost, it's raising our profile." 

Galosi said more than 250 volunteers, some of them students from the university's Moon campus, are working behind the scenes at the three-day event. 

"They're airport greeters, they're helping with media relations," Galosi said. "(The volunteers) are a big part of the event." 

Galosi said the tournament opens the prospect of the university hosting future high-profile events. He said the university's administration has backed its athletic department's efforts to bring the tournament to the Pittsburgh region. 

"It's a tad too early to be 100 percent sure," he said. "But sure, we've never done anything like this before and we'll see how it goes."