Harry A. Gampel Pavilion is a 10,299-seat multi-purpose arena in Storrs, Connecticut, United States, on the campus of the University of Connecticut (UConn). The arena opened on January 21, 1990,[1] and is the largest on-campus arena in New England. It was named after industrialist and 1943 UConn graduate Harry A. Gampel, a philanthropist who walked with Martin Luther King Jr., and who donated $1 million for the construction of the arena. It is about 216,000 sq ft (20,100 m2). Gampel Pavilion is the primary home to the UConn Huskies men's basketball and women's basketball teams. It was formerly the home of the women's volleyball team. [3]
"The Basketball Capital of the World" | |
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| Location | 2095 Hillside Road Storrs, Connecticut, United States 06269 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°48′19.05″N 72°15′15.10″W / 41.8052917°N 72.2541944°W |
| Owner | University of Connecticut |
| Operator | University of Connecticut |
| Capacity | 2023–present: 10,299 2002–2023: 10,167 1996–2002: 10,027 1990–1996: 8,241[1] |
| Surface | 171,000 sq ft (15,900 m2)[1] |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | Summer, 1987 |
| Opened | January 21, 1990[1] |
| Expanded | Summer 1996[1] |
| Construction cost | $28 million[1] ($65.3 million in 2023 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | The S/L/A/M Collaborative |
| Tenants | |
| UConn Huskies (NCAA) Men's basketball (1990–present) Women's basketball (1990–present) Women's volleyball (1990–2023) | |
Both the men's and women’s basketball teams also play at the XL Center in Hartford, playing roughly half the season in each venue. Separate season ticket packages are offered for each venue.
The pavilion is the centerpiece of the UConn Sports Center, which also includes Wolff-Zackin Natatorium.
Construction
editGampel Pavilion replaced the Hugh S. Greer Field House, which still stands to the northwest of the pavilion but has a much smaller capacity (4,604). The facility has been expanded three times. As originally constructed, it seated 8,241. After the 1995–96 season, 1,900 seats were added around the entrances, increasing capacity to 10,027. A seating adjustment after the 2001–02 season added 140 more seats to result in the current capacity.
In the summer of 2017 a project began to replace the aging roof, which was completed in October 2017. During that time, the volleyball team played some of its fall home games in Greer Field House.[4]
First game
editThe first basketball game was played on January 27, 1990, between the then 20th-ranked Huskies and the 15th-ranked St. John's Redmen (now Red Storm). UConn won 72–58.[5]
Home court advantage
editSince 1990 through 2024 the Huskies men's basketball team has a 226–41 record at Gampel Pavilion.[6]
| Year | Record |
|---|---|
| 1989–1990 | 5–0 |
| 1990–1991 | 7–2 |
| 1991–1992 | 6–1 |
| 1992–1993 | 5–2 |
| 1993–1994 | 7–0 |
| 1994–1995 | 5–1 |
| 1995–1996 | 6–0 |
| 1996–1997 | 6–2 |
| 1997–1998 | 6–0 |
| 1998–1999 | 6–1 |
| 1999–2000 | 5–2 |
| 2000–2001 | 8–1 |
| 2001–2002 | 6–0 |
| 2002–2003 | 5–2 |
| 2003–2004 | 8–0 |
| 2004–2005 | 6–1 |
| 2005–2006 | 6–0 |
| 2006–2007 | 7–2 |
| 2007–2008 | 8–0 |
| 2008–2009 | 7–0 |
| 2009–2010 | 8–1 |
| 2010–2011 | 5–2 |
| 2011–2012 | 5–2 |
| 2012–2013 | 6–1 |
| 2013–2014 | 7–2 |
| 2014–2015 | 4–4 |
| 2015–2016 | 8–1 |
| 2016–2017 | 4–3 |
| 2017–2018 | 7–2 |
| 2018–2019 | 8–1 |
| 2019–2020 | 8–1 |
| 2020–2021 | 7–3 |
| 2021–2022 | 8–0 |
| 2022–2023 | 8–1 |
| 2023–2024 | 8–0 |
Source: [6]
International basketball games
edit| Date | Opponent | Result | Home | Game Type | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 5, 1995 | United States | 83-47 | UConn Huskies | Exhibition | 8,241 [7] |
| November 2, 2007 | United States | 90-74 | UConn Huskies | Exhibition | - [8] |
Banners
editThe banners for the men's and women's basketball teams have been taken down and in their place are now large boards on the walls listing the years the teams have made the NIT, NCAA Tournament, Sweet 16, and Elite 8, along with their Big East Regular Season and Tournament Championships.[citation needed] The National Championship Banners and NIT Championship Banners have been replaced with newer versions, along with banners commemorating Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma's Hall of Fame inductions.[citation needed]
Located throughout the concourse of Gampel Pavilion are plaques recognizing the Huskies of Honor, a recognition program that began in 2006 and honors the most significant figures in the history of the UConn basketball programs.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "UCONNHUSKIES.COM :: University Of Connecticut Official Athletic Site". www.uconnhuskies.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "Freitas Forum to Become New Home of UConn Women's Volleyball Program". May 2, 2023.
- ^ DOYLE, PAUL (September 27, 2017). "Just A Reminder, Gampel Repair Means No First Night For UConn Basketball". courant.com.
- ^ "Countdown: 27". theuconnblog.com. October 17, 2009.
- ^ a b "2015–2016 Connecticut Huskies Media Guide" (PDF). UConnHuskies. Retrieved December 19, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "1995-96 USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team". Archived from the original on April 26, 2015.
- ^ "No. 2 Women's Basketball Drops Exhibition Opener to USA National Team 90-74". November 2, 2007.