UMass Amherst: McGuirk Alumni Stadium (Expansion)

UMass Amherst: McGuirk Alumni Stadium (Expansion)

PHOTOS © PETER VANDERWARKER

Designed in the early 1960s by Gordon Bunshaft of SOM, the McGuirk Alumni Stadium at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has been home to Minutemen Football for more than 60 years. Completed in 2014 by Perkins+Will’s Boston office, in collaboration with HOK, the Football Performance Center and Press Box support the team’s transition from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and an enhanced game day experience.

The Football Performance Center has become the new face of the stadium, allowing approaching students, players and fans to see into and through the building to the stadium. Upon entering the lobby, visitors, fans, players and coaches are immersed in the rich history, traditions and successes of Minutemen Football. Overlooking the field from the north end zone, the upper floor includes a 120-seat auditorium, player’s lounge, hall of fame, multipurpose function room, reception area and football team administration area. The multipurpose function room, with expansive views of the field and stadium, opens up to an entertainment terrace for an enhanced game-day experience for fans and members of the Grid Iron Club.

The building is designed to be flexible and efficient to maximize the time and energy of players and coaches. The ground floor, or “players’ floor,” includes a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center, sports medicine and training suite, team and coach locker rooms and equipment storage.

The new press box replaces the original facility built in 1964. The new facility includes a president’s suite, athletic director suite, home team and visiting team suites, areas for TV and radio talent, game day operations, coaches’ booths, instant replay and a 50-seat working press area.

The project has transformed and revitalized the original 1960s McGuirk Alumni Stadium and surrounding campus open space to create a vibrant and active area for campus life and intercollegiate athletics.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Nonprofit Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), according to a news release. CLIMB’s ultimate purpose is to help higher-education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes by providing tools, frameworks, and support.

  • Design Firm Populous Acquires Fentress Architects

    Design firm Populous, which specializes in sports and entertainment venues, recently announced its acquisition of Fentress Architects, based in Denver, Colo., according to a news release. Fentress’ primary focus is aviation projects and public buildings like museums, convention centers, and government facilities

  • Inglewood Unified School District Breaks Ground on New High School

    The Inglewood Unified School District in Inglewood, Calif., recently broke ground on a new campus for Inglewood High School, according to a news release. The project has a budget of about $240 million, funding coming through bond proceeds from Measure I.

  • K12 Tutoring Earns Every Student Succeeds Act Level II Validation

    Personalized online tutoring service K12 Tutoring recently announced that it has received Level II validation underneath the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), according to a news release. The independently validated study provides evidence of K12 Tutoring’s role in creating positive student outcomes through effective academic intervention and research-based solutions.

Digital Edition