Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
Twohig Gymnasium
225 Canal St.
Salem, MA 01970
Year Opened: 1973
Capacity: 1,735
Witch City Hoops
Salem State University was founded in 1854 as the Salem Normal School under the guidance of Horace Mann as part of his efforts to bring accessible teaching education to the masses. It is the oldest and largest college on the North Shore of Massachusetts. After decades of growth, the college was elevated to university status in 2010. The school’s 6,500 students hail from 37 states and 48 countries. Today the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 40 programs.
Basketball has been played at Salem State since 1910. The first team to represent the school defeated a team from Salem High School called “The Reserves,” 6-5. Basketball was played sporadically until the mid-1930s, when a group of students, led by James Twohig, helped to establish a varsity program. In addition to leading the team during his time as an undergraduate, Twohig returned to coach Salem State from 1955-1966. During his 26-year coaching career, which included time at local high schools, Twohig’s teams never had a losing season. Salem State named their gymnasium in his honor in 2001.
Twohig Gymnasium is located in the larger O’Keefe Center. The O’Keefe Center was built in 1973 to house the school’s hockey, tennis, basketball and swimming teams. Originally a windowless concrete and brick structure, the complex was renovated in 2013, adding the Gassett Fitness Center. The windowed façade gives the complex an attractive entrance while its photovolatic roof lowers the facility’s energy costs.
The Salem State Vikings men’s basketball team has qualified for 26 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four in 2000. The women’s team has played in 23 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Final Four on three occasions and winning the national championship in 1986. The most notable Viking basketball alumnus is Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibideau, class of 1981. Thibideau averaged 26 points per game in 1980, leading the Vikings to the MASCAC championship and their first NCAA tournament bid.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a table set up in the lobby between the Twohig Gymnasium and Rockett Arena which offers a selection of cold beverages and snacks for hungry Vikings fans. Slices of pizza are also sold here, while supplies last. While not the most extensive selection you’ll find, it will do the trick if you need a quick bite, and no item costs more than three dollars.
Many fans were seen at the game with coffees from the local Dunkin’. These would certainly be popular choices on a cold winter Massachusetts night.
Atmosphere 2
Anyone who has experienced a small college basketball game at a small gym will undoubtedly find a lot that is familiar here at Twohig Gymnasium. The facility has a definite old-school vibe, looking much like it must have when it opened in the 70s. Scoreboards at either end of the court display game information. Unfortunately, the Salem State mascot, “Superfan,” an orange furry blob wearing a Viking helmet, was not in attendance during Stadium Journey’s visit.
It is certain that this bandbox of a gym would get really loud if it were packed, but during Stadium Journey’s visit on an early November Saturday afternoon, the crowd was modest at best. Still, the fans bring some energy to the proceedings. Unfortunately, there was no cheerleading squad or pep band in attendance on this day. Music played before the game at a reasonable volume. The PA announcer, who was obviously a student, tried to pump up the crowd a couple of times, to no avail. Otherwise, she mostly stayed out of the way.
Photo courtesy of Salem State University
Neighborhood 4
Salem, Massachusetts is a small coastal city on Boston’s North Shore. Founded in 1626, this city of 44,000 residents is best known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Salem’s identity is closely tied with this notoriety, with the local high school teams nicknamed the Witches, and an elementary school christened Witchcraft Heights. Historic sites, including the House of the Seven Gables, the Witch House and the Salem Witch Museum are located downtown a couple of miles from the Salem State campus. There is a street in town named “Witch Way.”
Salem’s peak tourist season is the early fall, and Salem can be a really crowded place in October. Luckily, basketball season starts after Halloween, so crowds should be manageable when you come to see the Vikings.
The area right around the O’Keefe Complex is a mixed residential/business neighborhood. There’s not much in the immediate vicinity of the facility apart from a deli and a McDonald’s. If you’re visiting from out of town, you’ll certainly want to take the 10-minute drive downtown and soak up the local attractions. There are dozens of quality dining establishments here, and as you might imagine, the seafood served here is incredible. Among the great choices are The Babe, Dube’s and Ledger Restaurant and Bar. Fans of local breweries will find several quality options in town, including Notch Brewing, East Regiment Beer Company and Couch Dog Brewing. Destination Salem has more complete information on lodging and dining options and attractions.
Fans 2
The crowd at a Salem State basketball is what we here at Stadium Journey like to call a “friends and family” crowd. The vast majority of the people filling the bleachers at Twohig Gym have a personal connection with the players, and as a result, are knowledgeable about the team and boisterous in their support. Crowds seem to average somewhere between 150-250 fans. As is the case with most small gyms, it seems that everyone knows each other. You can also expect a good turnout from visiting fans. If there was a big crowd in attendance, it’s pretty apparent that the Twohig Gym would create a massive home court advantage.
Access 3
Even though the small city of Salem is just 15 miles northeast of Boston, there’s no easy way to get here. Make sure to give yourself extra time to arrive, because the tight roads and crowded streets of Boston’s North Shore are traffic nightmares, no matter what time of day you are arriving. Interstate 95 and Route 1 will get you close to Salem, but you’ll need local roads to get into town. Route 1A will provide your most direct, if busy, route to Salem. Fans taking public transportation to Salem can take the MBTA Newburyport/Rockland commuter rail line into downtown Salem, then the 455 bus to the Loring Avenue stop near the O’Keefe Complex.
Salem State University is split into several campuses scattered throughout town. The O’Keefe Complex is located within walking distance of both the North and Harrington campuses in the southern part of Salem. The tourist destinations of the small city are located about two miles to the north of the school.
Twohig Gymnasium is located in the back of the O’Keefe Complex on the second floor. Once you enter the complex, there will be a set of stairs directly in front of you just past the entrance to the Rockett Arena. There’s also an elevator for fans who need it. A giant lobby sits in between the basketball gym and the hockey arena. The snack table, rest rooms and Salem State Athletic Hall of Fame are all located here. Seating inside the gym consists of molded plastic bleachers. The small size of the gym ensures great sight lines from all seats, just look out for railings at the edges of the bleachers.
Return on Investment 5
There is no charge for a Salem State basketball game. For the low price of zero dollars, you can even stick around for the women’s game when there’s a doubleheader. Parking is also free in the large lot next to the O’Keefe Complex, and snacks max out at three dollars. It’s a most affordable entertainment option for local sports fans.
Extras 2
Salem State displays its sporting history throughout the O’Keefe Complex. Pictures of every varsity team line the hallway leading to Twohig Gymnasium, and the lobby is adorned with trophies and memorabilia belonging to the Salem State Athletic Hall of Fame. Inside the gym, banners honoring conference champions and tournament appearances line the far side of the gym. A giant banner commemorating the 1986 women’s championship team dominates the north wall.
Be sure to snap a photo on your way into the gymnasium with the Viking statue that guards the O’Keefe Complex.
Final Thoughts
Twohig Gymnasium gives off a definite old-school vibe, and Salem State has been a regional basketball powerhouse within both the men’s and women’s ranks. Pair a Vikings basketball game with a tour of historic downtown Salem, and you have yourself quite a unique Stadium Journey.
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