University of Hartford - Chase Arena

Overview

One of the top facilities in the America East Conference, Chase Family Arena is home to the University of Hartford men's and five-time America East Champion women's basketball teams.

The Chase Arena opened on January 25, 1990, with the men’s team beating Siena 63-61. The Arena, which seats 3,507 people, is not only home to the University's NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball programs, but also has hosted a variety of community events, from a visit by President Obama to a Bob Dylan concert to business expositions and a variety of sports clinics (including the “On the Floor” basketball camp hosted by Men’s Basketball Coach John Gallagher, as well as the Kim McNeill Girls Basketball Camp hosted by Women’s Basketball Coach Kim McNeil).

Other featured events held at Chase Arena include a jersey-retirement ceremony for NBA All-Star and former University of Hartford basketball player Vin Baker and a sports card show with Jeff Bagwell, former University of Hartford baseball star and National League MVP in 1994 with the Houston Astros. The arena was also used by the U.S. Women's Olympic basketball team for practices and a clinic. Area high school graduations, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center's annual "Miracles" dinner, and various musical concerts are also held there. The arena annually hosts about 25 external events that draw nearly 100,000 people.

To honor David and Rhoda Chase and their family for an outstanding history of gifts and contributions to the University of Hartford, the University has designated the basketball arena at the Reich Family Pavilion as "The Chase Family Arena." A ceremony to mark the occasion and thank the Chase family was held June 23, 1998.

David Chase, whose connection with the University goes back to his days as an engineering student at Hillyer College (predecessor of the University of Hartford), received an honorary doctorate of commercial science from the University in May 1998. He also served as the first Distinguished Visiting Fellow of the University's Barney School of Business in 1983. As chairman and CEO of Hartford-based Chase Enterprises, he led the expansion of the real estate development and communications company into the financial services and cable television industries in his native Poland. He passed away on June 1, 2016.

His wife, Rhoda, is a longtime member of The Hartt School board of trustees. Also honored at the ceremony were Arnold and Sandra Chase, who earned a master's degree in education from the University, and their family and Cheryl A. Chase and her family. "This is certainly the highlight of our long affiliation with the University," Rhoda Chase said to those at the ceremony. "David and I met at UConn, but our affection and affiliation is with this school," she said.

Facilities:
Fieldhouse/Gym

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Club(s) that play at this fieldhouse/gym

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