Pittsburgh Sports Venue Getting $45 Million Makeover, New Name

PITTSBURGH, PA - Duquesne University’s A.J. Palumbo Center will undergo a $45 million renovation and expansion and be rechristened after one of its most famous sports legends. The building will be called the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse after former Duquesne men’s basketball captain Chuck Cooper, the first African-American drafted by the NBA in 1950.

University officials announced the project at a news conference on Tuesday.

"A newly revitalized facility will be not only at the heart of our campus but at the heart of this entire community," Duquesne president Ken Gormley said. "This exciting renovation is an important next step in furthering one of Duquesne's key strategic initiatives. Just as Duquesne helped to build Pittsburgh at the turn of the 20th century, Duquesne now plays a central role in the development and sustainability of the city's Uptown EcoInnovation District and the entire region around us.”

The project will include:

• A modernized external façade that provides a more impactful look.

• Addition of new club and suite levels, upgraded concessions, fan corners and a concourse hall of fame. .
• Modernized facilities to place Duquesne Athletics on par with its Atlantic 10 Conference peers.
• Increased square footage to the current building to fully optimize the space. The new facility will consolidate all sports performance activities into an expanded central facility that is five times the size of Palumbo.
• Creation of an all-weather practice venue to allow student-athletes to train throughout the year.

• A state-of-the-art sports medicine and rehabilitation center.

Seating about 4,400, the multipurpose area along Forbes Avenue opened in 1988 and is the home of the Duquesne Dukes basketball, volleyball and wrestling programs. It also serves as a concert venue.

The building was named after its benefactor and former university board member Antonio J. Palumbo. The Palumbo name won’t vanish from UMPC Cooper Fieldhouse, as the building will include an A.J. Palumbo gate and atrium.

Renderings via Duquesne University.

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