Matthews Arena

Matthews Arena

Former names	Boston Arena
Location	Boston, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°20′28″N 71°5′4″W
Owner	Northeastern University
Operator	Northeastern University
Capacity	Ice Hockey: 4,666 Basketball: 6,000 Concerts: 6,300
Surface	200x90 ft (hockey)
Construction
Broke ground	October 11, 1909
Opened	1910
Tenants
Northeastern basketball and hockey programs (men's and women's) Boston Celtics (NBA) (1946–1955) Boston Bruins (NHL) (1924–1928) New England Whalers (WHA) (1972–73)

Matthews Arena, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest surviving indoor ice hockey arena, and the oldest multi-purpose athletic building still in use, in the world. It opened in 1910 on what is now the east end of Northeastern University's campus, and is currently owned by the university. It is the original home of the NHL Boston Bruins and the WHA New England Whalers (now the NHL Carolina Hurricanes), as well as the secondary home of the NBA Boston Celtics.

History

The structure was more widely known as Boston Arena until 1982 when Northeastern alumnus George J. Matthews helped fund its refurbishment. The arena was briefly known as Northeastern Arena as well. Matthews is also the place where the hockey programs of Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University, Tufts University and Wentworth Institute of Technology all began; in particular, it housed the Boston University hockey team until 1971, when Walter Brown Arena was built.

Matthews Arena has played host to many famous people and events during its lifetime. Matthews hosted every president from Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 to John F. Kennedy in 1946. Other dignitaries to hold events at the arena include Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. Boxing was once a mainstay at the arena and hosted bouts with Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney and Joe Lewis. Muhammad Ali trained at what was called Santos Gym, where the Varsity Club now sits, for his second bout with Sonny Liston.

Matthews Arena also proved famous as a concert venue during much of its lifetime. A 1958 concert hosted by Alan Freed was cut short due to riots. Playing the concert were Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry. Freed was arrested after issuing the famous line, "The police don't want you to have fun." Other famous acts to grace the arena were The Doors in a show that was later released to the public. Another famous concert was the Phish New Year's Eve concert on December 31, 1992. The show was the highest attended Phish concert to date and was played on WBCN the next day.

It has hosted all or part of the America East Conference men's basketball tournament a total of seven times and hosted the 1960 Frozen Four. The arena also served as the original home to the annual Beanpot tournament between Boston's four major college hockey programs.

Current use

Today, Matthews Arena is home to the Northeastern Huskies men's and women's hockey teams, and men's basketball team as well as the Wentworth Institute of Technology's men's hockey team and various high school hockey programs in the city of Boston.

Matthews Arena also hosts a variety of Northeastern on-campus events, including the annual Springfest concert, as well as graduation ceremonies for the university.

2009 renovations

The arena underwent extensive renovations over the summer of 2009. The centerpiece of the renovations were all-new seating and a brand new center ice jumbotron. The lobby was also reworked, with additional concessions and an elevator for ADA compliance. A new weight room and expanded locker rooms were provided for the athletes. The total cost of the renovations was estimated at $12 million.

2009

External sources

• Men's hockey media guide, 2007-08 season
• Matthews Arena page, NU Athletics website