Walter Brown Arena

Walter Brown Arena
Name	Walter Brown Arena
Fullname	Walter A. Brown Arena
Location	Boston, Massachusetts
Broke ground	1970
Opened	1971
Owner	Boston University
Operator	Boston University
Surface	Ice
Capacity	3,800
Tenants	Boston University Terriers (NCAA Division I), Boston University Terriers women's ice hockey, Boston University Terriers basketball (former)

Walter Brown Arena Walter Brown Arena is an indoor ice arena located on the campus of Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. The facility serves as a home venue for collegiate ice hockey teams and hosts intercollegiate competition, community events, and athletic practices. Named after Walter A. Brown, the arena forms part of BU's athletic complex adjacent to other facilities such as Agganis Arena and Nickerson Field.

History

The arena opened in 1971 during a period of expansion for Boston University athletics and was named to honor Walter A. Brown, a prominent figure associated with the Boston Garden and the founding of the Boston Celtics. Construction followed earlier BU investments in sports infrastructure near Commonwealth Avenue and the Kenmore Square area. Over its history the venue has been closely linked to the rise of the Terriers under coaches including Jack Parker and hosted matches within conferences like the Hockey East and tournaments connected to the NCAA tournament cycle. The arena has also intersected with Boston sports history involving institutions such as Harvard University and Boston College through local rivalries and classic matchups.

Facilities and Layout

Walter Brown Arena's design includes a standard-sized ice sheet and seating bowl elements suited for collegiate competition, with sightlines optimized for hockey. Support spaces include locker rooms used by teams from Boston University, training rooms employed by staff formerly associated with the NHL and collegiate athletic trainers, and offices linked to BU Athletics leadership. The proximity to Agganis Arena and shared access roads near Comm. Ave integrates the site with BU's campus transportation network. Guest amenities historically have included concession areas and press facilities used by media outlets such as ESPN, NESN, and local newspapers like the Boston Globe.

Tenants and Events

The primary tenants have been the Terriers and the Terriers women's team, both competing in Hockey East and the NCAA Division I landscape. The arena has also accommodated club teams, intramural championships affiliated with BU student organizations, and occasional high school tournaments featuring programs from MIAA leagues. Special events have included alumni games with former Terriers who progressed to the NHL and international exhibitions featuring players connected to national programs like USA Hockey and Hockey Canada. Community outreach events have partnered with local institutions such as the Jimmy Fund and youth programs tied to Inner City Youth Hockey initiatives.

Renovations and Upgrades

Over the decades Walter Brown Arena has undergone periodic renovations to seating, refrigeration systems, and spectator facilities. Upgrades have aligned with advances in arena technology seen in venues like Boston Garden and TD Garden, with investments targeting ice-making equipment, energy systems, and athlete-support infrastructure. Renovation efforts have been coordinated with BU capital projects overseen by university leadership and facility managers, and often timed around seasons to minimize disruptions to Hockey East schedules and NCAA commitments. Improvements also addressed media broadcast needs to accommodate partners such as NESN, ESPN3, and university streaming platforms.

Notable Games and Records

The arena has hosted numerous notable contests involving historic rivalries against programs like Boston College, Harvard University, Northeastern University, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Individual Terriers who later achieved prominence in professional hockey — including alumni who advanced to teams such as the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks — have set collegiate records during games at the facility. The venue has been the site of conference playoff-clinching wins in Hockey East play and featured nationally ranked matchups that influenced national rankings and eventual tournament seedings.

Accessibility and Transportation

Walter Brown Arena is accessible via public transportation links serving the Kenmore Square area, including the MBTA Green Line and surface bus routes that connect to regional transit hubs like South Station and Back Bay Station. Pedestrian access from BU campus buildings and nearby residence halls facilitates student attendance, while bicycle racks and shuttle services tie into BU's transportation planning. Event-day transportation coordination often references city routing near Commonwealth Avenue and parking provisions connected to campus lots and municipal garages used during larger athletic events.

Category:Boston University buildings Category:College ice hockey venues in the United States Category:Sports venues in Boston