This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2019) |
The Merrimack Athletics Complex is the home of the Merrimack College Warriors athletics teams. It has a basketball court and hockey arena. Hammel Court, located in the Volpe Athletic Center, is the home of the men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the volleyball team. Lawler Rink is the home of the Division I Merrimack Warriors men's ice hockey team, which had won the 1978 Division II national title before transitioning to Division I and joining the Hockey East Conference.
MAC | |
 Lawler Arena Post-Renovation 2024 | |
 | |
| Location | North Andover, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Owner | Merrimack College |
| Operator | Merrimack College |
| Capacity | 2,549 (hockey arena) 1,200 (basketball arena) |
| Surface | 200 x 85 ft (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1972 |
| Opened | November 28, 1972 |
| Renovated | 2012-2013, 2023 |
| Construction cost | $2 million ($14.6 million in 2023 dollars[1]) |
| Tenants | |
| Merrimack Warriors athletics | |
The athletic center is named for S. Peter Volpe, a member of the college's Board of Trustees and benefactor. His construction company was responsible for the building of the McQuaid Library on campus. His brother, John Volpe, was U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President Richard M. Nixon. The hockey arena is named for J. Thom Lawler, former coach of the men's hockey team who died in 1978 at age 44, just after leading the team to their first national title. The basketball and volleyball court is named after former men's basketball head coach Bert Hammel.[2]
Renovations
editOver the summer and winter break of 2010, extensive renovation was done on the arena. The wooden bench seating was completely replaced with seatback chair seating and a student bleacher section was installed behind the visiting goalie's side. The "tin foil" insulation was removed from the roof as well. Seating capacity did decrease, however.
A major expansion[3] was completed in 2013 that included a second ice rink, a franchise food location, and a campus bookstore.
A new scoreboard/jumbrotron was added prior to the 2022-23 season.
Extensive renovations were also completed in the fall of 2023. Funding was provided by Richard H’15 and Susanna Gallant.[4]
Lawler Basketball Configuration
editMerrimack Men's Basketball played their first ever game at Lawler Arena during the 2021-22 season when they hosted Lehigh. Since then the arena has become a two-sport venue with the ability to change between hockey and basketball like many NHL/NBA arenas. [5]
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Pave, Marvin (October 22, 2018). "Bert Hammel, selfless Merrimack College men's basketball coach, dies at 67". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Merrimack Sports Receive A Facelift". Eagle Tribune. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Lawler Renovation". Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ "Lawler Basketball to Hockey". Retrieved 2024-05-17.
External links
edit42°40′04″N 71°07′12″W / 42.667843°N 71.119995°W