Colorado School of Mines’ Lockridge Arena. (Courtesy Mines Athletic Communications)
AURORA — The 2015 Class 3A boys and girls basketball state tournaments will be played at the Colorado School of Mines’ Lockridge Arena.
CHSAA’s Board of Directors on Wednesday unanimously approved the change in site for the tournament, which was held last year at the Air Force Academy. The move is being made in an effort to boost attendance, said Bert Borgmann, CHSAA assistant commissioner who oversees basketball. Mines is a more central location for most of the state.
“The facility is one of the nicest in the state, and reflects our commitment to putting our tournaments in quality venues — just as it has been in the past,” Borgmann said
First-round and Sweet 16 3A games will remain at host sites, while the Great 8 and beyond will be at Mines from March 12-14, 2015. That includes consolation games.
Lockridge Arena holds 3,000 people and is located inside of the Colorado School of Mines’ Student Recreation Center at 17th and Elm Street. It is the home of the Orediggers’ men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the school’s volleyball team.
Sites for the other tournaments remained unchanged. 5A will be at the Denver Coliseum for the Great 8; 2A is at CSU-Pueblo for the Great 8 and beyond; and 1A is at the Budweiser Event Center for the Great 8 and beyond. Additionally, the 5A and 4A final fours and championship games will be held at the University of Colorado.