The University began as the Lowell Normal School, founded in 1894 and the Lowell Textile School, founded in 1895. Lowell State and Lowell Tech, as they were then known, merged in 1975 to form the University of Lowell. In 1991, the campus became part of the University of Massachusetts system.

Currently, there are over 11,000 students enrolled at UMass Lowell and approximately 400 student-athletes from 5 countries competing each year. During the 2008-2009 seasons, UMass Lowell athletes represented 19 different states in total. Additionally, 215 student-athletes were from the state of Massachusetts, with 65 of them coming from the Merrimack Valley within Massachusetts. UMass Lowell is an NCAA Division II program with an NCAA Division I ice hockey team. The school is a member of the Northeast-10 (NE-10) and Hockey East Conference.

Eight years ago, UMass Lowell launched an aggressive effort to enhance its intercollegiate athletics and recreation programs. Over the past eight years, UML and the City have successfully transformed the University's North Campus by constructing some new and exciting facilities, including Tsongas Arena (ice hockey), LeLacheur Park (baseball), The Cushing Field Complex (field hockey, track & field and men's & women's soccer), and a new Campus Recreation Center. UML has also gained admittance into a regionally based all-sports conference that consists of schools with strong academic profiles, along with bringing the University into compliance with Title IX regulations. These improvements, complemented by the hiring of several dynamic coaches, have enabled the University to become one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic programs in the Northeast region.

As UMass Lowell athletic teams have enjoyed outstanding success recently, exposure for the University has increased dramatically. As of December 2008, UMass Lowell earned second place in the Direct's Cup standings (measures overall team success) of all Division II schools. This was the highest amongst all schools in the Northeast Region, with Grand Valley State (MI) earning the overall top spot in the country. In the past decade, UMass Lowell teams have captured 30 NE-10 championships.

Most recently, the 2005 field hockey team captured the NCAA Division II Championship. The school has hosted the NE-10 Conference Championships routinely, along with hosting NCAA Regional Tournaments. In 2003, 2004, and 2007, UMass Lowell hosted the NCAA Division II field hockey national championships.  In all, a UMass Lowell team has reached the NCAA tournament 82 times. In addition, UMass Lowell athletes have been named All-Americans 313 times. Just this past season, the River Hawks hosted the NE-10 Championships in Men's and Women's Cross Country, Women's Indoor Track, and Women's Outdoor Track.  Many of the athletic teams have been featured on various television and radio stations; specifically the ice hockey team which has two or three of its games televised on NESN and CN8 teach year.

UMASS LOWELL VARSITY SPORTS

* = Division I Sport - The hockey team competes at the Division I level in the Hockey East Conference - regarded as the strongest conference in the country. The Hockey East Association encompasses nine established Division-I hockey programs including Boston College, Boston University, Maine, UMass Amherst, Merrimack, UNH, Northeastern & Providence. UMass Lowell has endured its own share of success in the Hockey East as of late. In 24 years within the conference, a River Hawk has been named Player of the Year 1 time, Rookie of the Year 3 times, and Coach of the Year 3 times. Additionally, during the 2008-2009 campaign, UMass Lowell reached the Hockey East Championship, only to fall short of the title to Boston University, the eventual NCAA Champions of 2008-2009. Average attendence has sky-rocketed of late for the River Hawk, soaring to approximately 4,500 fans last year.

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Companies who enter into a partnership with UMass Lowell can expect to benefit from the agreement in a number of ways. UML, in conjunction with each partner, will work to tailor a package that creates a win-win situation for everyone involved. Whether it's through brand awareness, market exposure, client entertainment, family entertainment, or the introduction of a new product/business, UML can accommodate your needs and interests in a cost effective manner.

DEMOGRAPHICS

General

• Adults, ages 25-54
• Men, ages 18-45
• Families with children 12 & under
• Approximately 100,000 fans per year (67,000 for ice hockey)
• Majority of the fans come from households with income of $65,000 or more
• Majority of the fans have college degrees
• Fans are mostly families and students from the Merrimack Valley

Ice Hockey

• Approximately 1,200 season ticket holders
• 85% of season ticket holders are from Middlesex & Essex County
• 15% of season ticket holders are from Southern NH
• 70% of season ticket holders have household incomes of $65K or more
• 39% of season ticket holders have household incomes of $85K or more
• Over 80% of season ticket holders have one or more children
• 65% of season ticket holder children participate in youth sports

Paul E. Tsongas Arena - Read about the Tsongas Arena here.