Showtime
A design helps build a culture of greatness

As an NCAA Division 1 hockey team, the UMass Minutemen have built a powerhouse program that has made them a perennial contender in the Hockey East Conference and winners of the Frozen Four national tournament in 2021. Their new locker room is designed to unite and inspire the team — and its top recruits.
More than simply a space to lace skates, dress for the ice and store equipment, the new UMass locker room offers an immersive environment that houses all the amenities players need to succeed as student athletes in the 21st century. Beyond the usual showers, lockers and exercise room, this renovated space includes a nutrition area, recuperation space and player’s lounge.
Jones traveled with team leaders to visit other top-tier hockey facilities in the New England region, and reviewed other precedents across the US and Canada. The athletic director and coaches envisioned a space that would attract high-caliber recruits while promoting team bonding, unity and the well-being of the players, who use the space as a home away from home throughout the year. Incorporating the Minutemen identity was also important; the look, feel and function of the space needed to be persuasive and compelling to talented athletes making decisions about where to play.
An oval-shaped locker room — not unlike the shape of an ice rink —establishes a sense of motion and reflects the head coach’s commitment to the team culture of accountability. He wanted all the players in the locker room to be able to look each other in the eye as they prepared for the ice. There are no divisions between lockers; the continuous bench emphasizes the team over the individual, players sitting together, pulling as one.
The space is built to last: stainless steel custom lockers — individually ventilated —hardwood benches and UMass maroon phenolic wall panels are designed to take a beating without losing their luster. Metal mesh ceiling panels connect with a sleek, curved soffit that mirrors the continuous bench and incorporates stainless signage.
This ambiance of dynamic toughness permeates the rest of the space, including the lounge, where players can relax and take advantage of the 98” flat screen to watch ESPN, the game feed from the arena or play video games. An integrated sound system gives them a chance to pump up the volume, along with the adrenaline, and is further enhanced with customizable lighting to set the tone and shape the mood.
The combination of high-end materials, branding, lighting and audio make for a theatrical experience on gameday, and helps recruits feel the excitement of life as a Minuteman. As the team builds on the momentum of their ’21 national title, their new locker room reinforces their leadership status as they seek to create a collegiate hockey dynasty.

Making the project compelling for potential recruits was a critical project goal. But building momentum early in the design process with alumni, fans, and potential donors was critical to getting the project off the ground. Renderings that help supporters envision the possibilities are instrumental to this process.
"The financial support for this project has been outstanding and I want to thank all of our donors for their support and generosity. I'm very excited about this project in many ways, but mostly because our players deserve it. They've earned it on the ice, in the classroom, and in the community. They have done everything in a first-class manner and deserve first-class facilities."
— Greg Carvel, Head Coach, University of Massachusetts
"… when this project is completed, Massachusetts Hockey will own one of the most coveted college hockey facilities in the nation. It will position us well to attract top recruits to our university and provide our players with a home to develop and enjoy a first-class student-athlete experience."
— Ryan Bamford, Director of Athletics, University of Massachusetts
UP CLOSE:
Scan or click here to explore design details about this project.
GREEN FACTOR:
A key tenet of sustainability in our office is occupant comfort and well-being. What makes a men’s hockey locker room more comfortable than good ventilation? Incorporating ventilation at each locker ensures air movement for drying out equipment, improving air quality, and reducing odor.
TEAM:
Noemi Jiminian
Rick Jones
Dan Ollila
Alya StaberCOLLABORATORS:
Contractor:
Marois Construction CompanyM/P/FP Engineer:
RFS EngineeringElectrical & Tel/Data Engineer:
ART EngineeringStructural Engineer:
Lim ConsultantsCode Consultant:
Code Red ConsultantsCost Estimator:
Ellana Construction ConsultantsLighting Designer:
Sladen Feinstein Integrated LightingAcoustical Engineer:
Cavanaugh Tocci AssociatesAV & Technology Consultant:
Cavanaugh Tocci AssociatesSpecifications:
Kalin AssociatesPHOTOGRAPHY:
William Horne