FAIRFIELD, Conn. – It's technically a renovation, but the new arena on the main campus of Sacred Heart University looks like a shiny, new, ultra-modern college sports venue. An 80-foot long jumbotron, a pair of 12-foot video boards, bright red and white branding, the Park Avenue Club for VIPs, food & beverage carts all over the place and seating that allows fans to feel and hear the action better than ever.
That's what we all saw last night during a double header hoops night on the Sacred Heart campus. Opening night of the "renovated" William H. Pitt Athletics & Convocation Center was a wonderful celebration of SHU Athletics and a shining example of the university's rapid growth and aspirations of excellence.
The Pitt Center opened in 1997, and its competition and practice space was primarily four courts in a large, fieldhouse like setting. The main court is now separated from the rest of the venue and is one of the best arenas in the state and among the best in the Pios' new conference, the MAAC. The new digs also come with a state-of-the-art TV broadcast control room to produce games that air on ESPN and an auxiliary gym for practices.
A big crowd watched the Pio women come from behind to take a 63-56 game against Monmouth, while the SHU men ran away with a 67-54 decision against Central Connecticut on Dave Bike Court, named after the legendary head coach who led the Pios to a 1985-86 Division II national championship.
Tanner Thomas, a senior on the SHU men's basketball team, led the team with 18 points and was thrilled with the new home court advantage. "It's beautiful and I'm super excited to play in it. The colors and lights are amazing, and it's great to feel like the fans are on top of us."
Junior
Amelia Wood had a team-high 19 points in the women's victory and loved the feeling of the new Pitt. "We are so grateful for this arena. We knew the energy tonight was going to be crazy, kind of like having a sixth player on the court. The atmosphere here tonight (which included many of the SHU varsity teams) was like none I've ever experienced playing basketball."
The basketball teams are not the only varsity teams using the new arena. Both SHU volleyball and wrestling teams will compete in the space, while the dance and cheerleading squads entertain at all hoops contests.
Abby Scott, a junior on the dance team, was pumped up about her new home. "The new arena is so amazing. It was great to see all the athletes who showed up tonight… it just shows how close a community we have."
The opening of the renovated Pitt included a fan fest with giveaways, games and promotions. The following organizations and companies took part in the festival that was open prior to the 5:30 women's game and during the intermission between games:
- Alzheimer's Association
- Crumble Cookies
- DP Dough
- Eleven 86 Water
- Garden Catering
- Golf Lounge 18
- Here For You Clothing
- Ives Bank
- Just Salad
- Little Pub Fairfield
- Stevens Ford
- Surfside
- T-Mobile
- Town of Fairfield
- Two Men and a Truck
- Walters Hot Dogs
- Waxing the City
- Welcome Wagon Advertising
- Wine N Cheese Day Spa
