Getting to Bird Ice Arena
The AYHA has been at the Bird Ice Arena on Ohio University’s campus for over 60 years, and while many locals are familiar with getting to the rink, those arriving for the first time can sometimes take a wrong turn and through a series of one-way streets wind up on the far side of Athens. With that in mind, please use these helpful maps, directions, and advice to make your journey smooth.
Directions to Athens, Ohio
For visiting guests, Athens is located in southeast Ohio approximately 90-minutes from Columbus and 45-minutes from Parkersburg, WV. The City of Athens and Ohio University are located at the intersection of US-33 and US-50, as shown below, with Bird Ice Area in the middle of the university campus.
Entering Ohio University & Finding Bird Ice Arena
As you approach Athens from any direction via US-33 or US-50, you will want to take US-33 Exit 198 onto SR-682. Take SR-682 approximately a half mile to the Richland Avenue roundabout. Turn right at the roundabout onto Richland Avenue, cross the Hocking River bridge, and drive straight through the Shafer St/South Green drive intersection.
Drive 1/4 mile passing over a pedestrian tunnel and take the first right onto Bobcat Lane. Bird Ice Arena will be on your right across from Baker University Center, where players and equipment can be dropped off.
Continue on Bobcat Lane, and Parking Lot 134 will be your next right, and it is the closest parking to Bird Ice Arena. We strenuously recommend you parking in Lot 134 or any other lot designated Dark Green or Purple, neither or which are ticketed on weekdays after 5pm or throughout weekends.
The university's unofficial greeting is, "Welcome to OU - here's your parking ticket!" Use the link above to view lots where it's safe to park.
Behavior in Bird Ice Arena
Ohio University owns and operates Bird Ice Arena. The facility and the Athens Youth Hockey Association's policies require a professional standard of good behavior and respectful actions from not only its members and players, but also of visiting teams and their families. All AYHA members and visiting teams are required to adhere to Ohio University's policies regarding use of the rink.
Access to and use of Bird Ice Arena is at the sole discretion of Ohio University and its staff, and the University reserves the right to prohibit access to Bird Ice Arena if deemed necessary. Please be aware that Ohio University is a smoke-free campus.
Please review the information below. While at the rink, if you have any concerns please report them to your team manager immediately or directly to the rink staff.
- Abuse and/or threats to Arena staff, either physical or verbal, by players, guests or family members will not be tolerated.
- Unsupervised children are not permitted in the Arena lobby during practices, games or other AYHA events.
- Children are not permitted to run, climb, or jump in the Arena. Ball hockey, soccer, football, or other gameplay is not permitted in the lobby, bleachers, hallways, restrooms or locker rooms.
- Children under the age of 16 are not permitted in the upstairs mezzanine at any time. No exceptions.
- Ohio University will hold the AYHA financially responsible for any damage to the Arena by youth players or their family members. AYHA will require the families / team / association responsible for the damage to repay the Association for the cost of repairs.
- Youth players in every age division must change in a designated locker room. No changing is permitted in any other part of the Arena, including the lobby or along the bleachers.
- Children and unauthorized family members are not permitted in the Arena crow's nest or on the stairs leading up to it. Adults may use the crow's nest with prior approval by Arena staff for filming or other hockey-related activities. This is the area located behind / above the Home bench.
Uptown Athens
There's nothing wrong with the chain restaurants and stores along East State Street, and everyone enjoys Larry's Dawg House on the West Side, but when it comes to good eats, treats, and shopping withing easy walking distance from Bird Ice Arena, head Uptown.
From the arena, cross Bobcat Lane into Baker University Center, take the escalator up to the top, and step out into College Green. Walk two blocks up Court Street, and you're there.
Need Starbucks, sweets, or other specialty drinks? Try The Front Room at the top of the escalator in Baker University Center. Open weekends 10am to 6pm.
Odds & Ends
Traveling to Athens from out of town? Things can sometimes go sideways - we get it. In the unlikely event you need help, these folks have you covered.
Athens Police Department - for emergencies off-campus, call 740-593-6606.
OU Police Department - for emergencies on campus, call 740-593-1911.
O'Bleness Hospital - for serious medical emergencies, head to the West Side for full-service ER care.
Holzer Urgent Care - scrapes, colds, or sensations of general ickiness? Head to the end of East State Street.
