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>>ANCHOR: Following last year's trip to college hockey's Frozen Four the Rochester Institute
of Technology is certainly on the national radar. In fact, the program has become so
popular, the team's current home, is no longer big enough to accommodate all the fans who
want to cheer the Tigers on. And that is why the university dropped the puck Friday on
a new fundraising campaign designed to create more room for its growing fan base. YNN's
Casey Bortnick and photojournalist Todd Krupa have the story.
>>REPORTER: It's certainly an exciting place to watch college hockey.
>>BRODY SMITH: Like, look at it. It's sold out! We're selling out like every game.
>>REPORTER: Even the Diehards:
>>BRODY SMITH: It's kind of small.
>>REPORTER: RIT's Ritter Arena just isn't big enough.
>>BRODY SMITH: Like right now we came in here late. There's no where to stand.
>>REPORTER: Fresh off a trip to the Frozen Four, it's obvious the Tigers are outgrowing
their current home.
>>CHRIS SARACINO: It's a great atmosphere but it's probably, maybe, time for a little
upgrade.
>>REPORTER: Friday, RIT President Bill Destler announced a new fundraising effort.
>>PRESIDENT DESTLER: Which we have called the Tiger Power Play-the Campaign for RIT
>>REPORTER: The goal is to raise $15 million over the next two to three years, enough money
to move forward with plans to build a new arena. RIT alum and regular at Tigers hockey
games:
>>STEPHEN SCHULTZ: Haven't stopped since 1982.
>>REPORTER: Stephen and Vicki Schultz got the campaign started with a $1 million dollar
donation.
>>STEPHEN SCHULTZ: I love coming to the games and there isn't always a place for me to sit.
Maybe in the new rink I'll have a seat where I don't have to worry about losing it if I
get up to go get my boys concessions.
>>REPORTER: Not counting the standing room only fans, the Ritter arena seats about 2,100
people the new arena will seat four to six thousand.
>>PRESIDENT DESTLER: Our division one hockey team is the only division one sport in Rochester.
And I think that's work that a lot of Rochesterians, who have no formal affiliation with RIT, they
still take pride in the team as representing the Rochester community.
>>REPORTER: It's a community Destler hopes will give back by contributing to the campaign.
If you ask these fans:
>>It's tough to watch a game.
>>REPORTER: A new home would be just another step in RIT's rise to the top.
>>CHRIS SARACINO: It's great for the program and it continues to build a winning tradition
for RIT, which has been a great tradition so far and will continue to grow.
>>REPORTER: Casey Bortnick, YNN.
>>ANCHOR: The total price tag for a new arena is estimated at $25-30 Million. The university
plans to cover the additional costs associated with the construction. An on campus site for
the new arena has not been chosen. Destler said bidding on the project will be opened
up to local construction companies.