The University of Hartford celebrates its 25th season of Division I competition in 2008-09. Today, we revisit the opening of the Sports Center in 1990.
Over the next few weeks, we'll take a look back at some of Hartford's finest moments ... but we need your help. Click here to nominate a moment you feel is worthy for the top 15. Whether it's Vin Baker being drafted or the women's basketball team winning its first America East Championship, make your voice heard. Every Friday, we'll choose a new moment to highlight.
At the end of the year, you'll be able to vote for your top moment. Along the way, be sure to e-mail us your comments, fondest memories, stories and more.
The opening of the Sports Center was not only the next building block in the University's quest to establish its Division I intercollegiate program, but it was also a significant step forward in being able to provide athletics and recreation opportunities to the entire University community.
The 130,000 square-foot Sports Center project cost $10.3 million and was an addition to the existing Physical Education Center. It was designed by Daniel F. Tully Associates of Melrose, Massachusetts. Included in the expansion was a 25-meter eight-lane indoor swimming pool, along with 2,800 square feet of space set aside for fitness equipment and room for the University's Health Services. Also on the drawing board were staff offices, meeting rooms, a classroom for sports and leisure studies, four racquetball courts and a squash court, and a court set aside for intramural and recreation use. Other amenities included a pro shop, concession areas, locker rooms and a study hall for student-athletes.
The centerpiece for the Sports Center was a 4,475-seat main arena that would be used primarily for the University of Hartford basketball teams. The court, under a semi-domed ceiling, created one of the most appealing collegiate basketball environments in the Northeast. Later named The Chase Family Arena, it combined the WOW of a big-time arena with the intimate and fan-friendly feel of a campus gymnasium.
More than anything, The Sports Center gave the University's budding basketball programs a legitimate campus home. Although the women had continued to play their home games in the PEC, the men had played their home games in the cavernous Hartford Civic Center in downtown Hartford since the move to Division I in 1984-85. It showed that the University was serious about being committed to Division I. The HCC certainly played an important role in connecting the University and its men's basketball program with the city and the Greater Hartford community, but it was time to come home. The project began in the fall of 1988, and the Sports Center opened its doors in January of 1990.
The first event in the arena was a women's basketball game the afternoon of Saturday, January 13. Hartt School student Ann Ganem sang the first National Anthem and senior guard Trish Slocum scored the first points. The Lady Hawks, as they were called then, fell to the BU Terriers, 59-48, that day. Later in the evening, the men played an exhibition against Marathon Oil which the Hawks won, 93-88.
Almost two weeks later, on a Thursday night, the men's basketball team played its first home game against the Siena Saints. The Hawks won, 63-61, in front of a near-capacity crowd of 4,161. A Ron Moye 18-footer with two minutes to play and an Al Jones steal and lay-up with 1:15 on the clock overcame a 61-59 Siena advantage to give Hartford the eventual win. Hartford missed front ends of three one-and-one opportunities, and Siena turned the ball over twice in the final minute of play. The Saints' Andy Grazulis missed a wild shot at the buzzer to the give the Hawks the victory on their new home court. The Hartford faithful stormed the court in what is best described as pandemonium.
Then Head Coach Jack Phelan praised the fans that day.
“It's great to play on a nice cozy campus because when things aren't going well, you can still win because the fans are behind you. This was a long time in coming. This place was rocking.”
Notable
- In the celebration leading up to the opening of the arena, tennis legend Arthur Ashe received an honorary doctorate from the University.
- The arena has undergone several facelifts over the years, including the addition of new video scoreboards and chairback seating (on the North side in 2002 and on the South side in 2008). The arena currently seats 3,508.
- The annex to The Sports Center was later named in honor of the leading donors to the Home Field Advantage Campaign, Tom and Suzy Reich. It is now called the Reich Family Pavilion.
- Both the men's and women's teams own winning records in the 20-year history of the building. The men's team is 133-97 all-time while the women's team is 157-96. The Hartford women currently own the second-longest home winning streak in the country at 32 games.
- The arena has hosted more than just Hartford basketball games over the years. Numerous events?including concerts, banquets, graduations, trade shows and high school championships?have taken place in the facility. Perhaps the most unique was a professional tennis tournament in June of 1990, during which an artificial surface was placed on the floor of the arena. Tennis great Stan Smith took part in the event.
