Home of the Sacred Heart Pioneers, Martire Family Arena is one of the premier venues in all of college hockey.

The $75 million state-of-the-art hockey and skating arena opened in January 2023, and uses the latest ice management technology to create a professional experience for all athletes. Designed by JLG Architects, the 122,580 square foot arena is the crown jewel of Sacred Heart University’s West Campus.

We are taking a closer look at Martire Family Arena in this month’s Atlantic Hockey America “Building Champions” feature story, presented by JLG Architects.

Martire Family Arena Quick Facts
Address: Sacred Heart University West Campus
3135 Easton Turnpike
Fairfield, CT 06825
Broke Ground: March 15, 2021
Opened: January 14, 2023
Cost: $75 million
Capacity: 4,000
Design: Collaboration with JLG Architects, the SLAM Collaborative, Dimensional Innovations and Consigli Construction

Multi-Purpose Facility
Martire Family Arena hosts many different teams and events on a year-round basis.

The venue hosts Sacred Heart’s men’s and women’s NCAA Division I hockey programs, as well as the school’s nationally ranked figure skating team and the men’s and women’s club hockey teams. In addition, the arena serves as home ice for the programs of Notre Dame High School and Fairfield High School.

Along with on-ice action, the multi-purpose facility also serves as a practical learning laboratory and classroom for SHU students studying in many areas, including sports communication and media, sport management, and hospitality, among others.

Not a Bad Seat in the House
There is truly not a bad seat in the house at Martire Family Arena. Focused on the fan and community experience, the venue offers unobstructed and scenic views from every seat in the barn.

The seating bowl includes ten rows of steep fan seating that surrounds the rink and creates an environment that puts the fans right on top of the action. The seating bowl is a perfect oval with no faceted corners, and the curved sections perfectly wrap the 85 x 200 sheet of ice.

Fans even have great views of the action when they are not in their seats. The main 360-degree concourse provides clear views of the ice and allows fans to circulate the entire bowl without ever losing sight of play on the ice.

The suite and club level at Martire Family Arena offers a game experience that is perfect for hosting events, receptions, and corporate outings. The premium, elevated seating features two club rooms, President’s Suite, and three luxury suites all overlooking the ice.

The elevated suites are wrapped in wood, and their interlocking shapes look like hockey sticks floating in the air and stacked on top of one another. This unique feature gives the interior of the arena a creative, sleek, and sharp look.

There is also a Pro Shop that allows fans to purchase their favorite SHU gear during games.

Key Features for Training and Coaching
Martire Family Arena comes equipped with all the resources SHU athletes need to be successful. When it comes to training, some key features of Martire Family Arena include:

• World–class strength and conditioning suites designed at a level consistent with the NHL.

• Stunning locker rooms and player lounges.

• Rapid shot puck room for off-ice training.

• Comprehensive athletic training and sports medicine rooms.

• Hydrotherapy suites with warm and cold plunge pools, as well as an underwater treadmill.

• Therapeutic laser, blood flow restriction, and shockwave therapy units.

• Team film rooms and meeting areas.

• Pro-motion training harness.

• 30 yards of turf for speed work and warmups.

The facility features several coaching suites that are designed for meetings, visits, and office space. The coaching suites sit elevated above the concourse and offer exceptional panoramic 180-degree views of the seating bowl and ice below.
     

      

Great Views Both Inside and Outside
Wrapping around three sides of the arena is a floor-to-ceiling “smart glass wall system.” The system allows natural light into the rink, providing great views of the Fairfield countryside while still maintaining ideal ice conditions.

There is no need to worry about glare from the sun on the ice, as the technologically advanced glass has electrically switchable opacity. With the flip of a switch, the glass can go from clear and allowing views in and out of the arena, to a white, snow-like opaque appearance, providing more privacy inside the arena. This is a unique feature that not many college hockey venues can boast about.

Martire Family Legacy
Martire Family Arena is named for Frank Martire, a 1969 graduate of Sacred Heart. Frank is currently the Chairman of NCR Corporation, and is a co-founder of Treba Acquisition Corporation. Frank and his wife Marisa have an equity interest in the National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights. The Martire family gave the lead gift for the project.

Resources:
You can learn more about Martire Family Arena on the arena's website, the JLG Architects website, and through Sacred Heart University.

Martire Family Arena website: https://martirefamilyarena.com/

JLG Architects: https://jlgarchitects.com/projects/sacred-heart-university-ice-arena/

Sacred Heart University: https://www.sacredheart.edu/sacred-heart-life/fitness-recreation--sports/martire-family-arena/

JLG Architects is the country's architect of choice for college and university sports programs striving to win championships, top-tier athletes, and year-round revenue opportunities. JLG offers a full spectrum of services, from campus master planning and environmental brand building to architectural design for multi-use community, collegiate, and progressional sports and recreation facilities. Home to the nation’s only Certified Ice Rink Manager/Certified Ice Technician Architect, a robust roster of award-winning arena designers, and an elite multi-purpose event center and operational team — JLG breaks the ice for unrivaled design that builds campus and community pride.