CT Hoops Havens: Best Yet To Come At Sacred Heart's Gym

Editor's Note: Patch Field Editor Michael Lemanski, a 1992 University of Connecticut graduate, and his daughter Samantha Lemanski, 14, are both major UConn men's and women's basketball fans. But Connecticut's college hoops scene is more than just the Huskies, who are a state and national powerhouse. There are five other Division I programs in Connecticut: Central Connecticut State University; Quinnipiac University; Fairfield University; Sacred Heart University; and Yale University. This winter, the duo set out to visit all of Connecticut's Division I basketball facilities to see what they had to offer. Mission accomplished. This is the fifth and final installment of the series.

Saturday, Feb. 24: Sacred Heart University

FAIRFIELD, CT — Following a two-week hiatus in our challenge to visit all of Connecticut's Division I basketball gyms, my daughter and I's mission was finally accomplished Saturday, Feb. 24, at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

And what we found was pleasantly surprising, despite the fact Sacred Heart's aging William H. Pitt Center is badly in need of a facelift.

The good news is that is exactly what Sacred Heart is doing after the season, with a massive overhaul planned in time for the 2024-25 season that will fully modernize and upgrade the 2,000-seat arena.

When complete, the site's rickety seating — which is mostly uncomfortable benches — will feature individual chairback seats and new bleachers for what, presumably, will be the student section. (Students don't sit at basketball games anyway, so the seats aren't needed.)

Despite sore fannies and backs requiring regular stretching, we were treated to not only a good experience but a good game when Sacred Heart squared off against in-state rival Central Connecticut State University on Feb. 24 in a key, Northeast Conference matchup.

The game itself was a nip-and-tuck affair that ended with CCSU out of New Britain defeating the Pioneers, 68-67.

Down 12 at the half, CCSU's Blue Devils stormed back to take a several-point lead in the second half, only to be tied after a Sacred Heart comeback of its own.

In the end, clutch free throw shooting allowed CCSU to stay in the top tier of the NEC and eke out a 1-point win over Sacred Heart.

As for the "experience," well fans showing up were treated to a memorable "Senior Day" ceremony before the game as senior Tommaso Ferraresi from Venice, Italy, got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend.

She said "yes" and #14 was mobbed by teammates before the game as if he'd just hit a winning shot at the buzzer.

During the game, folks — 1,000 plus of them on this day — were able to chow down on some basic snacks and beverages, including all sorts of bottled beer.

There were no clear merchandising options for souvenirs, but perhaps that will change a year from now when the new Pitt Center opens up.

As mentioned earlier, the gym in its current incarnation is in a bit of rough shape.

After all, it was built in 1997, when Sacred Heart moved up a notch to Division I after being a successful Division II program.

As a Division II power, Sacred Heart made regular appearances in the NCAA tournament, even winning a national championship in 1986.

But as can be expected, Division I has proven to be somewhat difficult following the transition.

The Pitt Center, meanwhile, isn't just a basketball arena, it is a student recreation center that is home to all of the school's athletics and recreation programs.

Located just off the Merritt Parkway (not my favorite highway), SHU is relatively easy to find, and parking, though difficult to find close by, is free.

We ended up having to backtrack to a campus parking garage when we arrived, "enjoying" a chilly late-winter walk to the arena.

Despite less-than-stellar seat quality from a comfort standpoint, Sacred Heart's ticketing system is simple and was a very, very good value: $10 general admission seating. Not bad at all and you can sit anywhere you want.

While that situation will likely change for the new arena next year, Pioneer hoops is not only a good value but a good day out.

The Pioneers' upgrade to Division I a quarter century ago will take another step forward next year in the new Pitt Center, with the best yet to come.

For ticket information regarding Sacred Heart University men's and women's basketball, click on this link.

From Feb. 29: 'CT Hoops Havens: State College Basketball More Than Just UConn'

From Feb. 6: 'CT Hoops Havens: Fairfield's New Arena Offers Fan-Friendly Perfection'

From Feb. 5: 'CT Hoops Havens: Yale's Gym A Hallowed Hall Of Basketball History'

From Jan. 23: 'CT Hoops Havens: Quinnipiac's M&T Arena A Gem On The Hill'

From Jan. 17: 'CT Hoops Havens: CCSU Is Definitely Worth A Visit'