|
Home of River Hawk Hockey Rising on the banks of the Merrimack River, the Paul E. Tsongas Arena is a 6,500-seat multipurpose facility that is home to the UMass Lowell hockey team and the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League. Named after the late Paul E. Tsongas, the arena symbolizes his lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life for people in Lowell, MA and the country. From the Lowell City Council to the United States Senate, to the presidential campaign trail, Tsongas' dedication to public service and the public good is an example to be honored. The Tsongas Arena is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable, intimate and fan-friendly venues in college and professional hockey. UMass Lowell shares the Arena with the Lowell Lock Monsters - the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes - and maintains a close relationship with the franchise. Several River Hawk alumni have moved on to play for the Lock Monsters, including former standouts Jeff Daw, Craig Charron and Laurent Meunier. The UML players enjoy state-of-the art locker room facilities and a player's lounge complete with satellite television, a ping-pong table and dart board. A weight and exercise room, also shared with the Lock Monsters, is just down the hall opposite the Athletic Health Care Center. Although primarily serving as the home ice for the River Hawks and Lock Monsters, Tsongas also hosts a variety of events in an intimate setting year-round when the teams are not playing on the ice. The arena hosts a variety of concerts and entertainment events by some of the most popular artists of today, including Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Kid Rock, Barry Manilow, Staind, and Van Morrison, to name a few. Recently Tsongas Arena served as a host to the world. In April of 2003 Tsongas Arena was the site for a first round match of the Fed Cup, the premier team competition in women's tennis. The world watched as international superstar sisters Serena and Venus Williams represented the United States in a two-day match against the Czech Republic before sold-out crowds. Tsongas Arena also serves as the host of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association championships in both basketball and ice hockey. In addition, the arena is the site for many trade shows, festivals and public skating, and serves as the site for commencement for the University. The Tsongas Arena, which opened January 28, 1998 , is one of several projects located in the city's Northern Canal area where campus and city meet. The area is also the location of Edward LeLacheur Park , which opened in June of 1998. The stadium is shared by the UMass Lowell baseball team and the Lowell Spinners, the Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of the New York-Penn League. The canal walk and river walk, a system of pathways circling the area, provide easy access to the Northern Canal area, home of the new UML Campus Recreation Center. |
