University of Connecticut Athletics
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Year Opened | 1990 |
| Capacity | 9,882 |
Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, UConn’s on-campus domed facility serves as the home court of the men's and women's basketball and women’s volleyball program.
Gampel Pavilion opened in January of 1990 and totals more than 171,000 square feet in the domed area. An additional 39,000 square feet comprise the attached Wolff-Zackin Natatorium (including a 50- meter Olympic size swimming pool).
The entire project cost $28 million and measures 320 feet in diameter, in the circular domed arena area. The aluminum dome of the Gampel Pavilion towers more than 130 feet in the air from ground level.
During the summer 2017, Gampel Pavilion underwent a massive repair job on the roof and ceiling. Prep work for the project started right after Commencement in May and the project concluded at the end of October - in time for the start of basketball season. A budget of $10 million for the repair work was approved by the UConn Board of Trustees at the group's meeting on January 25, 2017.
There are 2,200 panels that make up the dome. The panels were brought down six at a time in hexagons and each panel was rewrapped with new fabric and insulation. In addition to the interior work, the exterior of the dome got new battens and gaskets as the original ones were still in place, but needed to be replaced due to years of weather and exposure to the elements. A new cabling system was also installed for the catwalks of Gampel Pavilion.
During the summer of 1996, the original capacity of Gampel Pavilion (8,241) was increased with additional seating placed above each of the four entrance quadrants of the building. The new 'sellout' for UConn Basketball in Storrs is 9,882, making the UConn facility the largest capacity on-campus basketball arena in New England and the Northeast.
Gampel Pavilion, which is an iconic landmark in the middle of campus, provides the UConn basketball and women’s volleyball programs with one of the most intimate on-campus game atmospheres in the entire nation.
Prior to the start of the 1999-2000 season, two new scoreboards were installed in Gampel Pavilion. Both boards contain complete player lineup information (points, fouls) as well as full color game video boards and message centers. The 'Alumni Court' main arena floor is constructed of 'spring aire' wood.
The Huskies' gameday locker rooms include wood grain 'pro style' individual lockers as well as an adjoining varsity team lounge and audio-visual area, complete with large screen television, hook-up for scouting and game review, and a stereo sound system.
Directions
From Bradley International Airport: The University of Connecticut campus is approximately 45 minutes driving time from the airport. Take I-91 South to I-291 East to I-84 East to exit 68. Off the exit take a right on Rte. 195 South and follow signs to the University. Once on campus take a right on North Eagleville Road. At the second stoplight, take a left onto Hillside Road. At the fourth stop sign, take a right onto Jim Calhoun Way. Gampel Pavilion is immediately on your right. Buses should drop off at the East Entrance.
From Hartford: The University of Connecticut campus is approximately 30 minutes driving time from the city of Hartford. Take I-84 East to exit 68. Off the exit take a right onto Rte. 195 South and follow signs to the University (approx. 7 miles). Once on campus take a right onto North Eagleville Road. At the second stoplight, take a left onto Hillside Road. At the fourth stop sign, take a right onto Jim Calhoun Way. Gampel Pavilion is immediately on your right. Buses should drop off at the East Entrance.
From Boston: The University of Connecticut campus is approximately 1.5 hours from Boston. From the Mass Pike, take I-84 West to exit 68. Off the exit take a left on Rte. 195 South and follow signs to the University. Once on campus take a right onto North Eagleville Road. At the second stoplight, take a left onto Hillside Road. At the fourth stop sign, take a right onto Jim Calhoun Way. Gampel Pavilion is immediately on your right. Buses should drop off at the East Entrance.
From Providence: The University of Connecticut is approximately one and one quarter hour from Providence. From Rte. 295 take exit 5-6, following signs to Hartford. Take Rte. 6 West to Rte. 101 West to Rte. 44 west. Take a left onto Rte. 195 South. Once on campus take a right onto North Eagleville Road. At the second stoplight take a left onto Hillside Road. At the fourth stop sign, take a right onto Jim Calhoun Way. Gampel Pavilion is immediately on your right. Buses should drop off at the East Entrance.
From New York: The University of Connecticut is approximately one and one-half to two hours from New York. Take 95 North to 91 North to 84 East. From 84 East take exit 68. Once off the exit take a right onto Rte. 195 south and follow signs to the University (approx. 7 miles). Once on campus, take a right onto North Eagleville Road. At the second stoplight, take a left onto Hillside Road. At the fourth stop sign, take a right onto Jim Calhoun Way. Gampel Pavilion is immediately on your right. Buses should drop off at the East Entrance.
