Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.19
Alumni Hall
One Cunningham Square
Providence, RI 02908
Year Opened: 1955
Capacity: 1,854
The Original Home of Friartown
Alumni Hall was built in 1955 at the direction of Providence College President Rev. Robert Slavin. He felt the team needed an on-campus home to be competitive. Until then, the team had played in local gyms off-campus or in a small gym in the basement of Harkins Hall. Built at a cost of $1.5, Alumni Hall was dedicated to PC alumni who fought in World War II. Alumni Hall served as home to the PC men’s team until the construction of the Providence Civic Center (now the Amica Mutual Pavilion) downtown in 1972.
Providence College began sponsoring women’s basketball in 1974. They joined the Big East upon its inception in 1982. The Friars have competed in six postseason tournaments, including five NCAA tournaments. Their most recent appearance occurred in 1992. They reached the sweet sixteen in 1990. Alumni Hall has been the Friars home court since their debut.
In 2012 Alumni Hall underwent a $3 million renovation, which included the installation of new seating, lighting, air conditioning, video scoreboards and control room, sound system and other amenities. LED lighting has also been installed in the facility. Today Alumni Hall serves as home to the Providence College women’s basketball and volleyball teams.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a small concession stand in the atrium lobby operated by local favorite Saugy hot dogs. A limited menu is available, with hot dogs, popcorn and chips making up the entire menu. Fans looking for a drink will find bottles of Coca-Cola products, Powerade and water here. Prices are very affordable, as no item is priced at more than five dollars.
Atmosphere 4
As you might imagine in a bandbox of a gymnasium like Alumni Hall, when the building is filled with Friar fans and Providence gets rolling on the court, this place can get pretty loud, even without much help. But since the Friars athletic department is used to putting on a first-rate show up the street at the Amica Mutual Pavilion for the men’s team, they bring many of the same gameday features here to the women’s home.
The Friars take the court to a multimedia experience including hype videos and flame towers. The pep band, cheerleaders and dance team are all in attendance and perform throughout the game. The sound system at Alumni Hall is good and doesn’t need to be played at ear-splitting volume to be effective. There’s an emcee who coordinates some time-out activities and contests and some youth teams take the court at halftime. The PA announcer goes about his job in a professional manner, without much of the over-the-top theatrics that are common today. The one negative would be the video boards on each end of the court could use an upgrade, as the pictures are less than clear. It all adds up to an entertaining afternoon (or evening) at the gymnasium.
Neighborhood 3
Alumni Hall is part of a sprawling complex on the northern edge of the Providence College campus which houses most of the college’s athletic, fitness and social facilities. The Peterson Recreation Center, the Concannon Fitness Center, Ruane Friar Development Center, the Taylor Natatorium, Slavin Center and Providence College Bookstore are all built around Alumni Hall, which sits at the center of the complex. Located nearby are many of the school’s other athletic facilities, including Schneider Arena, Lennon Family Field, Ray Tracey Track and Anderson Stadium.
The Elmhurst neighborhood where Providence College is located is a residential, working-class neighborhood, so visiting fans will need to venture out a bit to find some of the city’s excellent dining, entertainment and lodging options. Luckily, downtown Providence is only about two miles from the PC campus. In addition to all the city’s attractions, the Amica Mutual Pavilion, home of the Friars basketball team, is located here.
For fans wanting to stay near campus, Stadium Journey recommends The Abbey, known for their collection of signature burgers and selection of 92 draft beers and LaSalle Bakery, where some of Providence’s finest baked goods can be found. Otherwise, we recommend you head downtown towards Federal Hill, Providence’s version of Little Italy, for more great dining options.
Fans 3
Providence College averaged just over 1,300 fans per game over the 2024-25 season. This figure represents a significant increase over previous seasons, but it still falls well short of Alumni Hall capacity and far below the Big East average.
As we’re seeing in gyms all over the country, women’s basketball is gaining new fans at a rapid pace. The same is true in Providence, as this is no longer a friends and family type of crowd. You’re likely to see a number of new fans, youth teams and groups filling the stands at Alumni Hall alongside the students, regulars and family members that have watched the Friars for years.
Access 3
Providence College is located in the residential Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, about a mile from Route 146 and Interstate 95. To get to Alumni Hall, fans will need to do some driving through the city, but the campus is still pretty easy to find. Fans using public transportation will be pleased to know that RIPTA’s number 55 bus has stops at Providence College and along Admiral Street, just a short distance from Alumni Hall.
Fans driving to Alumni Hall can park in a small lot adjacent to the Ruane Friar Development Center or in the parking garage on the other side of the Lennon Turf Field. A short walk will take you to the Ruane Atrium, where the concession stand and a small souvenir stand are located. The entry into Alumni Hall will be on your left. The ticket office and Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame are located here.
Fans will enter Alumni Hall right on the baseline, with the band immediately to your left and the Bathtub, the student section, immediately to your right. If your seats are on the upper level of the north side of the gym, you’ll have some navigating to do, as you’ll need to walk to the far side of the court, up two flights of stairs, and then circle back around to your seats. In this bandbox of a gymnasium, all seats have a great view of the action.
There are plenty of restrooms for fans to access here at Alumni Hall, and ample standing room at the top of the seating area. Lines at the concession stand and restrooms do get very long at halftime, so plan your trips wisely.
Return on Investment 4
All seats for Friars basketball games are sold as reserved seats for $20. Parking is free in the lots on campus, making a visit to Alumni Hall an affordable entertainment option for Rhode Island hoop fans.
Extras 3
Banners hang on the walls of Alumni Hall honoring Friar conference championships and tournament appearances in both women’s basketball and volleyball. At the opposite end of the gym are several banners honoring notable figures in Friars history. Among the retired numbers here is Doris Burke’s number 11. Doris, who graduated from Providence College as the school’s all-time assist leader, has become one of the top basketball analysts in the field.
Outside the Ruane Friar Development Center is a statue of two of the more legendary figures in Providence basketball, Dave Gavitt and Joe Mullaney. The two coached the men’s team from 1955-1985, taking Providence from relative obscurity to a regional hoops power. Gavitt was instrumental in the formation of the Big East Conference and is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
The Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame is located in the entryway of Alumni Hall. Among the many notable names to be found here are several notable NBA, NHL and MLB players and Olympians.
Final Thoughts
It’s great to see Alumni Hall continue to be useful 70 years after its debut. Recent renovations to the old gym have given Friars women’s basketball a home it can be proud of.
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