Whittemore Center

Whittemore Center Arena
The Whitt
Location	Durham, New Hampshire, U.S.
Coordinates	43°08′23″N 70°56′04″W / 43.13974°N 70.93443°W
Owner	University of New Hampshire
Operator	University of New Hampshire
Capacity	6,501 (hockey and basketball); 5,550 (end-stage concerts)
Surface	200 by 90 feet (61 m × 27 m) (ice hockey)
Construction
Opened	November 1995
Construction cost	$30 million; ($60 million in 2023);
Tenants
	UNH Men's Hockey; UNH Women's Hockey; Oyster River High School Hockey; NCAA Women's Frozen Four (2002, 2005, 2016, 2024);

Whittemore Center Arena, known colloquially as The Whitt, is a multi-purpose arena in Durham, New Hampshire, United States, on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. The arena is home to the New Hampshire Wildcats men's and women's ice hockey teams. The arena was New Hampshire's largest until the Verizon Wireless Arena (now the SNHU Arena) opened in Manchester in 2001.^[1] The arena can seat 6,501 for ice hockey and basketball games, and 7,200 for concerts and similar events.

History

The facility was built for $30 million and opened in November 1995.^[2] It was dedicated to Frederick B. Whittemore (a son of Laurence F. Whittemore) and his family on May 5, 1996.^[3] Through the end of the 2006–2007 academic year, the arena was managed by Global Spectrum, but UNH Campus Recreation took over management before the 2007 academic year.^{[citation needed]}

The arena is adjacent to its predecessor, Snively Arena, which is still standing and is used as a recreation facility. It is also adjacent to the Durham–UNH station, served by Amtrak, and it is across the street from Wildcat Stadium, home of the Wildcats football team.

Both the Wildcats men's ice hockey and Wildcats women's ice hockey team play their home games at the arena. The hockey rink originally had a full Olympic-sized sheet of ice, 60 by 30 metres (197 ft × 98 ft), but the rink was reduced slightly to "NHL size", 200 by 90 feet (61 by 27 m), during a 2022 renovation. In 2002, 2005, 2016, and 2024, UNH and the Whittemore Center hosted the NCAA Women's Frozen Four. The lobby is decorated with heroic portraits of past men's and women's All-American hockey players.

The Wildcats men's basketball and Wildcats women's basketball teams (which currently draw roughly 1,000 fans per game on average) normally play across the street at Lundholm Gymnasium, which is attached to Wildcat Stadium. A few home basketball games have been held at the Whittemore Center. The arena is also a venue for many concerts, trade shows, and events.

The consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson occurred in this arena on 2 November 2003. Robinson is known for being the first openly gay bishop within the Episcopal Church.^[4]

In September 2015 a new high definition center-hung scoreboard was unveiled. The main screens on each side of the board are 9 by 15 feet (2.7 by 4.6 m).^[5]

During the summer of 2017, the arena replaced its former HID fixture lighting system with a new LED lighting system which led to much more even lighting in the arena and no more loud hum produced by the former system.^[6]

In June and September 2020, the New Hampshire House of Representatives met in the arena due to social distancing requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, both the House and Senate met outside the arena. The House convened on the field hockey pitch in front of the arena. The Senate convened on a nearby parking lot, before joining the House for a joint convention on the field hockey pitch to certify the results of the 2020 general election and to elect the secretary of state and the state treasurer.

In April 2022, $6 million UNH spent on renovations, that included a reduction in the size of the ice surface. The renovations also include installing new glass, more forgiving NHL-style boards, and a new sound system.^[7]

In August 2023, local multiple car dealership owner and 1987 UNH alumni Anthony DiLorenzo gave a $4 million gift to the University. This gift is to expand training and support facilities as part of the $23 million UNH Hockey Renovation Project. Locker rooms, sports areas, video and study rooms, will all be added and funded through support from both the state of New Hampshire and philanthropic donations. In addition to these advancements, Northeast Passage sled hockey will be given a fully accessible locker room. The Whittemore center and the Hamel Recreation Center became the Key Auto Group Complex.^[8]

Concerts and other events

The Whittemore Center is a versatile venue that hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, sports events, and other student activities. In 1995 the center has become a prominent location for live music performances, largely through the efforts of SCOPE (Student Committee on Popular Entertainment), a student-run organization at UNH.^{[citation needed]}

Some performances include:

1990s: Dave Matthews Band (1996), Bob Dylan (1975 and 1999), and Matchbox Twenty (1998).
2000s: Willie Nelson (2004, 2008), Bob Dylan (2004), and Snoop Dogg (2008).
2010s: Avicii (2011), David Guetta (2012), Kendrick Lamar (2013) and Galantis (2017).
Recent events: Playboi Carti (2019), Brett Young (2023), Rae Sremmurd (2023), and Flo Rida (2024)^[9]

Along with concerts, this arena was the host for other events such as Broadway musicals (Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar) and also large University events such as presidential inaugurations, campaign celebrations and other important academic ceremonies. ^[10]

For example, the center has also been holding political rallies for campaign runners. In December 2023, the Whittemore Center held a venue for Donald Trump's political rally in 2023 and Obama in 2016. It is one of the largest event spaces in the state, making it an ideal location for accommodating large crowds.

Free Skate

The Whittemore Center allows for open skate, as well as stick and puck opportunities. The Whitt provides open skate to University of New Hampshire faculty and staff, as well as enrolled students. Public skate is available to the public during the majority of the winter months.^[11]

References

^ "UNH Athletics Facilities". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
^ "Whittemore Center Arena Promoter Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-01-11.
^ "Whittemore Center Backstage". Retrieved 2008-01-11.
^ Goodstein, Laurie (November 3, 2003). "Openly gay man is made a bishop". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
^ "New, larger high-res scoreboard unveiled at UNH's Whittemore Center | New Hampshire". UnionLeader.com. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^ "Silence Is Golden – LED Replacements for HID Fixtures at UNH Tone Down Ambient Noise | Interstate Electrical Services". iesc1.com. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
^ "Whittemore Center rink shrink: Plan to reduce the ice surface is underway". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved 2022-01-16.
^ "WHITTEMORE CENTER AT KEY AUTO GROUP COMPLEX New Hampshire".
^ "Concert History of Whittemore Center Arena Durham, New Hampshire, United States (Updated for 2024 - 2025) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
^ "Whittemore Center Arena". Events & Conferences. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
^ "Open Skate and Stick & Puck". Campus Recreation. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.

External links

Whittemore Center Arena official website

[1] "UNH Athletics Facilities". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2008-01-11.

[2] "Whittemore Center Arena Promoter Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-01-11.

[3] "Whittemore Center Backstage". Retrieved 2008-01-11.

[4] Goodstein, Laurie (November 3, 2003). "Openly gay man is made a bishop". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.

[5] "New, larger high-res scoreboard unveiled at UNH's Whittemore Center | New Hampshire". UnionLeader.com. Retrieved 2017-08-23.

[6] "Silence Is Golden – LED Replacements for HID Fixtures at UNH Tone Down Ambient Noise | Interstate Electrical Services". iesc1.com. Retrieved 2017-08-23.

[7] "Whittemore Center rink shrink: Plan to reduce the ice surface is underway". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved 2022-01-16.

[8] "WHITTEMORE CENTER AT KEY AUTO GROUP COMPLEX New Hampshire".

[9] "Concert History of Whittemore Center Arena Durham, New Hampshire, United States (Updated for 2024 - 2025) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 2024-12-02.

[10] "Whittemore Center Arena". Events & Conferences. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2024-12-02.

[11] "Open Skate and Stick & Puck". Campus Recreation. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.

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v t e University of New Hampshire
Academics	Business and Economics Law Carsey School of Public Policy
Athletics	Men's basketball Women's basketball Football Men's ice hockey Women's ice hockey Men's soccer
Facilities	Hamel Recreation Center Jesse Hepler Lilac Arboretum InterOperability Laboratory Lundholm Gym Memorial Union Building New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts New Hampshire PBS Shoals Marine Laboratory University of New Hampshire at Manchester University of New Hampshire Observatory Thompson Hall Whittemore Center Wildcat Stadium
Programs	Green Launching Pad
Organizations	New Hampshire Outing Club Not Too Sharp University of New Hampshire Wildcat Marching Band
Media	The New Hampshire WUNH
Related	Bill Knight Trophy List of University of New Hampshire alumni "On to Victory" "UNH Alma Mater" University Press of New England Wildcat Sports Network

v t e Hockey East
Men	Boston College Eagles (Conte Forum) Boston University Terriers (Agganis Arena) Maine Black Bears (Alfond Arena) Merrimack Warriors (Merrimack Athletics Complex) New Hampshire Wildcats (Whittemore Center) Northeastern Huskies (Matthews Arena) Providence Friars (Schneider Arena) UConn Huskies (Toscano Family Ice Forum) UMass Minutemen (Mullins Center) UMass Lowell River Hawks (Tsongas Center) Vermont Catamounts (Gutterson Fieldhouse)
Men's Seasons	1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Women	Boston College Eagles (Conte Forum) Boston University Terriers (Walter Brown Arena) Holy Cross Crusaders (Hart Center) Maine Black Bears (Alfond Arena) Merrimack Warriors (J. Thom Lawler Rink) New Hampshire Wildcats (Whittemore Center) Northeastern Huskies (Matthews Arena) Providence Friars (Schneider Arena) UConn Huskies (Toscano Family Ice Forum) Vermont Catamounts (Gutterson Fieldhouse)
Related articles	Lamoriello Trophy List of champions: Men / Women Tournament sites: TD Garden

v t e New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey
Formerly the New Hampshire Bulls
Playing venues	UNH Ice Rink (1926–1955) Harry C. Batchelder Rink (1955–1965) Snively Arena (1965–1995) Whittemore Center (1995–present)
Head coaches	Hank Swasey (1924–1925) Ernest Christensen (1925–1936, 1937–1938) Carl Lundholm (1936–1937) George Thurston (1938–1939) Anthony Dougal (1939–1943, 1946–1947) Joseph Petroski (1947–1951) Horace "Pepper" Martin (1951–1962) A. Barr Snively (1962–1964) Rube Bjorkman (1964–1968) Charlie Holt (1968–1986) Bob Kullen (1986–1987, 1988–1990) Dave O'Connor (1987–1988) Dick Umile (1990–2018) Michael Souza (2018–present)
Seasons	1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Conference affiliations	ECAC Hockey (1961–1964, 1966–1984) ECAC 2 (1964–1966) Hockey East (1984–present)
Rivalries	Dartmouth Maine
All-time leaders	Ralph Cox (243 Points) Ralph Cox (127 Goals) Kevin Regan (70 Wins)
Frozen Four appearances	1977 1979 1982 1998 1999 2002 2003
NCAA Tournament appearances	1977 1979 1982 1983 1992 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2013
Conference Tournament titles	ECAC Hockey: 1979 Hockey East: 2002 2003
Hobey Baker winners	Jason Krog (1999)

v t e New Hampshire Wildcats women's ice hockey
Playing venues	Whittemore Center
Head coaches	Russ McCurdy (1977–1992) Karen Kay (1992–2002) Brian McCloskey (2002–2013) Hilary Witt (2014–)
Seasons	2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21
Conference affiliations	Hockey East (HEA)
All-time leaders	Carisa Zaban (263 points, 145 assists) Brandy Fisher (129 goals) Melissa Bourdon (86 wins, 30 shutouts) Jen Huggon (2851 saves)
All-Americans	Brandy Fisher (1998) Nicki Luongo (1998) Carisa Zaban (2000) Jen Huggon (2003) Martine Garland (2006) Jen Hitchcock (2006) Sadie Wright-Ward (2006) Kacey Bellamy (2009) Kelly Paton (2010) Courtney Birchard (2010)
Women's Frozen Four appearances	2006
NCAA Tournament appearances	2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Conference Tournament champions	ECAC: 1986 1987 1990 1991 1996
Patty Kazmaier winners	Brandy Fisher (1998)
Olympians	Kacey Bellamy Karyn Bye-Dietz Julia Marty Stefanie Marty Nicoline Søndergaard Jensen Jenn Wakefield

v t e New Hampshire Wildcats men's basketball
Venues	Lundholm Gym (1938–present) Whittemore Center (alternate, 1995–present)
Rivalries	Dartmouth
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
Seasons	List of seasons 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25