Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
William D. Mullins Center 200 Commonwealth Ave Amherst, MA 01003
Year Opened: 1993
Capacity: 9,493
Did It in a Minute, Man
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (more commonly known as UMass) was founded in 1863 as the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Today the school is known as the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system. It is the largest university in the state, with an enrollment of over 24,000 students studying in 109 undergraduate, 77 Master’s and 48 doctoral programs.
William D. Mullins was a member of the Massachusetts State Legislature from 1977 until his death in 1986. A former minor league pitcher, Mullins was a strong advocate for the smaller towns throughout the state, in particular those in western Massachusetts. Beginning in the mid-80s he supported the building of a multi-purpose facility at UMass, as the university lacked a place that could support the school’s 24,000 students.
Prior to the building of the Mullins Center, the basketball team played their games at the Curry Hicks Cage, a 4,000-seat venue that was built in the 1930s. While it was known as one of the loudest buildings in the northeast, it was sorely in need of replacement. The building of the $51 million Mullins Center also allowed the school’s hockey team to upgrade from club status to Division One.
In 1900 the first basketball game was played at the Massachusetts Agricultural College (renamed as the University of Massachusetts in 1948). Known throughout the years as the Statesmen, Aggies and Redmen, the school officially changed its nickname to the Minutemen in 1972. A longtime member of the Atlantic-10 Conference, the Minutemen will be moving to the Mid-American Conference for the 2025-26 season.
UMass has qualified for nine NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Final Four in 1996. The NCAA later vacated this appearance due to rules violations. In addition, UMass has played in 13 NIT Tournaments. Nine Minutemen alumni have played in the National Basketball Association, most notably Hall of Famer Julius Erving. The women’s basketball team has played in three NCAA Tournaments.
Food & Beverage 4
Numerous concession stands line the inner edge of the concourse, each with a different theme, so you may have to search a little for your desired items. All your arena standards can be found at the Mullins Center. Among the more popular offerings are burgers from local favorite Baby Berk, chicken tenders and sandwiches from Chicken and Co., and specialty pizza slices (including the divisive pickle pizza). Fans with a sweet tooth should gravitate to the Massachusetts Creamery stand, where a selection of locally-made ice cream flavors are offered.
Coca-Cola products are featured at the Mullins Center. A selection of beer is available, featuring several national brands alongside brews from local favorites Sam Adams, Wormtown and Harpoon Breweries. Copa Wines and Spiked Seltzer are also sold. Fans looking for a local craft beer can sample brews from Amherst Brewing.
A complete listing of the Mullins Center concession options can be found here.
Atmosphere 3
At most college basketball games the student section and pep band are the engine that drives the gameday atmosphere. While the pep band at Mullins Center is solid, and the cheerleading and dance squad are excellent, support from the student section is negligible. One entire end of Mullins Center is set aside for the student body, but it sits mostly empty for basketball games.
It’s a shame, because the staff at UMass put on a good show. Sam the Minuteman roams the arena interacting with fans and contests are held for fans when play stops. A large video board hangs at center court, with smaller boards on either end of the gym. There is no shortage of things going on to keep the casual fan interested here. The Mullins Center would provide a significant home-court advantage if it were packed with fans. Unfortunately, with the facility often sitting mostly empty, the Mullins Center can be a rather quiet place despite everything going on here.
Neighborhood 4
Amherst is consistently rated as one of the best college towns in the country. Amherst Center is about a mile and a half from the Mullins Center and is chock full of restaurants, shops and museums. With five colleges located in and around Amherst, the options are many and varied. From quaint bookshops to museums celebrating the works of Emily Dickinson and Eric Carle to art galleries and libraries, the area around UMass has something for everyone.
Visiting fans looking for something to eat before or after a game will find no shortage of options along Main and Pleasant Streets. UMass students swear by Antonio’s, home of some legendary greasy pizza slices. For a complete listing of things to do, places to eat and lodging options in Amherst visit AmherstDowntown.com.
Just up the road from Mullins Center is the town of Hadley, where many more dining and shopping choices are located. Most of the eateries in this area consist of chain restaurants and fast food options. The Hangar Bar and Grill, a popular campus hangout featuring craft brews from Amherst Brewing, is located near McGuirk Stadium.
There are lodging options near UMass in both Amherst and Hadley. With Springfield only a half hour away, you won't have to travel too far to find a place to stay after the game. For those wishing to eliminate the commute after the game entirely, the UMass Hotel and Conference Center is located at the center of campus and is run entirely by students in the hospitality and tourism management program.
Fans 2
UMass fans are a fickle bunch, tending to stay away from the Mullins Center unless the Minutemen are having a successful season. Small crowds seem to be the norm in recent seasons. In the 2023-24 season UMass is averaging about 3,500 fans per game, less than half the Mullins Center capacity. The small crowds make this mid-sized arena seem cavernous. Those fans who do show up are generally on the reserved side, making the Mullins Center a rather quiet place to catch a basketball game.
Conspicuous by their absence is the student section. The large seating sections reserved for the students sit mostly empty. There are a few die-hards who try to create some noise, but their efforts fall flat in this mostly empty venue. As is the case in many New England schools, the hockey team garners much of the attention from the student body.
Access 4
The University of Massachusetts is located in rural western Massachusetts, about a half hour north of Springfield. While there are no highways that directly serve the UMass campus, Interstate 91 is only six miles away. If traveling from the east, the Mass Turnpike (Interstate 90) will bring you about 20 miles from campus. No matter from which direction you are traveling, you’ll be traversing on some winding country roads to reach UMass. Although the drive from the Mass Pike to UMass takes about a half hour, the foliage during the early part of the basketball season is amazing and draws many tourists throughout the fall. It’s well worth it to take your time and enjoy the scenery.
Once you arrive at UMass, it’s not too difficult to get to Mullins Center. The arena is located on the western edge of campus near many of the school’s other athletic facilities, including McGuirk Stadium and Earl Lorden Field. There is only one road that serves the arena, but traffic moves pretty well into the adjacent parking lots.
Most fans will enter Mullins Center on the north side of the facility and enter onto a concourse that completely encircles the court. Concession stands and rest rooms line the inner edge of the concourse. Lines are not usually a problem with the small crowds in attendance. All seats consist of maroon padded stadium seats which feature excellent views of the action from all sections.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to UMass basketball games are quite affordable, ranging in price from $15 to $26. Children under 12 receive a discount of $2-$10. Parking is free in the lots located a short walk from the facility. Concession prices are a bit on the high side, particularly for specialty and premium items, but are not out of line with other venues in the area. Fans looking to save a few dollars on food can purchase a combo meal.
Extras 3
UMass honors its history throughout the Mullins Center. Photos of notable Minutemen basketball and hockey alumni line the concourse. Photos from some of the Mullins Center’s more notable concerts, including Elton John and B.B. King, are also featured.
Inside the arena hang banners honoring Minutemen conference championship teams and tournament appearances. Additional banners honor the squad’s Elite Eight and Final Four appearances. Retired number banners also honor Minuteman legends.
Outside the Mullins Center stand four statues, honoring Jack Leaman, John Calipari, Julius Erving and Marcus Camby.
Final Thoughts
The Mullins Center is an attractive on-campus facility that can be considered as one of the premiere arenas in New England. However, its rural location tends to hold down attendance, and the lack of support from the student body makes a Minuteman basketball experience more underwhelming than it could be.
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