Houston Field House

Houston Field House is a multi-purpose arena located in Troy, New York, on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The arena is home to the Rensselaer Engineers men's ice hockey team and the Rensselaer Engineers women's ice hockey team, which compete in the NCAA Division I ECAC Hockey conference. The arena has hosted various events, including games featuring the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Montreal Canadiens, as well as concerts by artists such as Elvis Presley, The Grateful Dead, and Phish. The arena is also used for events such as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Commencement, Job Fair, and Career Fair, which attract visitors from Albany, New York, Schenectady, New York, and Saratoga Springs, New York.

● History

The Houston Field House was opened in 1949 and was named after Houston Field, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumnus and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. The arena has a rich history, having hosted games featuring NHL teams such as the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as Olympic athletes like Sonja Henie and Scott Hamilton. The arena has also been used for concerts by famous artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin, and has been visited by notable figures like John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan. The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers have a long-standing rivalry with the Union College Dutchmen, which is often played at the Houston Field House in front of a sold-out crowd from Troy, New York, Albany, New York, and Schenectady, New York.

● Architecture

The Houston Field House has a unique architecture, with a Brutalist design that features a large, open interior space with a Hockey rink at its center. The arena's design was influenced by the works of Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and features a Steel and Concrete structure with a Glass and Aluminum exterior. The arena's seating area is designed to provide an intimate and immersive experience for spectators, with a close proximity to the action on the ice. The Houston Field House has been compared to other notable arenas such as Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, and Montreal Forum, and has been praised for its Acoustics and Atmosphere by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, U2, and The Who.

● Seating and Facilities

The Houston Field House has a seating capacity of over 4,800, with a variety of seating options available, including Box seats, Club seats, and General admission seating. The arena features a number of amenities, including Concessions, Restrooms, and Merchandise stands, as well as a Press box and Broadcast booth for media and announcers. The arena is also equipped with state-of-the-art Sound and Lighting systems, which provide an enhanced experience for spectators and performers. The Houston Field House has hosted events featuring notable figures such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr, and has been visited by teams from the NHL, AHL, and ECHL, including the Adirondack Thunder, Albany Devils, and Syracuse Crunch.

● Events and Tenants

The Houston Field House is home to the Rensselaer Engineers men's ice hockey team and the Rensselaer Engineers women's ice hockey team, which compete in the NCAA Division I ECAC Hockey conference. The arena has also hosted a variety of other events, including concerts by artists such as Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, as well as games featuring teams from the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. The Houston Field House has been visited by notable figures such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton, and has been used for events such as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Commencement, Job Fair, and Career Fair, which attract visitors from Albany, New York, Schenectady, New York, and Saratoga Springs, New York.

● Renovations and Upgrades

The Houston Field House has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, including the installation of a new Ice rink and Seating area, as well as the addition of new Concessions and Merchandise stands. The arena has also been equipped with state-of-the-art Sound and Lighting systems, which provide an enhanced experience for spectators and performers. The Houston Field House has been recognized for its commitment to Sustainability and Energy efficiency, and has been certified by organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council and the Environmental Protection Agency. The arena continues to be a popular venue for events and concerts, and is a source of pride for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute community, which includes alumni such as George H.W. Bush, Allen Ginsberg, and Ira Glass.

Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States