Class of 1923 Arena

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

The Class of 1923 Arena
Location	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
Broke ground	1968
Opened	1972
Owner	University of Pennsylvania
Operator	University of Pennsylvania Business Services
Surface	85 ft. x 200 ft (hockey)
Architect	Robert C. Mcmillian Associates
Tenants	University of Pennsylvania Quakers
Capacity	2,800 (hockey)

The Class of 1923 Arena is the official skating rink for the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1968, alumni from the Class of 1923 formed the group "Friends of Pennsylvania Hockey" and lead by Howard Butcher, III. Butcher donated over 3 million dollars for the creation of the facility, along with Dr. John Cleveland and Bill R. Wise, Butcher organized the largest class donation in the history of the university. Thus, the arena was aptly named after the class to commemorate its generosity.

The arena is located on the southern part of the campus close to Center City and can seat nearly 3,000 people. The building was designed by Robert C. McMillian Associates was constructed primarily of poured concrete, is supported by four twenty-two foot concrete columns. The lower concourse includes locker rooms for the university's teams, food services, and the "Quaker Room", which overlooks the rink. The ice surface itself is 85'x 200' and totals 18,000 square feet. The upper concourse includes restrooms and more concession stands with entrances on Walnut Street. The ice surface totals at 18,000 square feet and the arena remains the largest collegiate venue in Pennsylvania.

The arena has hosted a variety of teams: Penn Varsity and Club ice hockey, Drexel ice hockey club, Villanova and St Joseph's ice hockey, Philadelphia Flyers, even Philadelphia Bulldogs professional roller hockey.