Hersheypark Arena

Last updated
Hersheypark Arena
"The Old Barn" [1]
HersheyPark Arena.svg
Hersheypark arena outside1.jpg
Hersheypark Arena
Former namesHershey Sports Arena (1936–1972)
Location100 West Hersheypark Drive
Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
Coordinates 40°17′17″N76°39′23″W / 40.28806°N 76.65639°W / 40.28806; -76.65639
Operator Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
Capacity 7,286
Surface Ice
Construction
Broke ground1935
Built1936
Opened1936
Tenants
Hershey Bears (AHL) (1938–2002)
Hershey Impact (NPSL) (1988–1991)
Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen (UCHC) (1998–present)
Hershey Cubs (USPHL) (2021–present)
View from ice level Hersheypark Arena at ice level.jpg
View from ice level

Hersheypark Arena (originally Hershey Sports Arena) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States, managed by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. The arena has a seating capacity, for hockey, of 7,286 people and in excess of 8,000, including standing room. [2]

Contents

History

When built in 1936 as the Hershey Sports Arena, the building was the largest monolithic structure in the United States in which not a single seat suffered from an obstructed view. [3] For 64 years it was the home of the Hershey Bears hockey team from 1938 to 2002. The second sport at the arena was basketball. It hosted the PIAA basketball and wrestling championships, and it also served as the home of the Hershey Impact, a National Professional Soccer League team from 1988 to 1991. It has also hosted the Ice Capades, Disney on Ice, professional boxing, tennis competitions, and the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) In Your House 5 pay-per-view in 1995. Previously it hosted WWF's Saturday Night's Main Event III on October 31, 1985 (aired November 2) with the main event being a tag-team match featuring WWF Champion Hulk Hogan teaming with André the Giant facing the team of Big John Studd and King Kong Bundy.

On October 13, 1953, the arena also hosted an extravagant birthday celebration for President Dwight D. Eisenhower whose farm and "weekend White House" was located in nearby Gettysburg. Phish performed and recorded their show, on December 1, 1995, which was later released as a live album, entitled Live Phish 12.01.95 .

Bears players salute fans after final game at Hersheypark Arena Last Bears game at Hersheypark Arena May 4, 2002.jpg
Bears players salute fans after final game at Hersheypark Arena

Basketball

On March 2, 1962, Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain recorded a record-setting 100 points in an NBA game against the New York Knicks, a record that still stands today.

DateHomeScoreAwayGame TypeAttendance
December 29, 1961 Philadelphia Warriors 123-118 Los Angeles Lakers RS5,000
January 26, 1962Philadelphia Warriors136-110 St. Louis Hawks RS4,473
March 2, 1962Philadelphia Warriors169-147 New York Knicks RS9,346

Roof fire

On July 5, 2012, a fire damaged the arena, which was in the midst of refurbishment. [4] At about 3:00 PM local time, the fire was upgraded to five alarms. [5] The fire burned for about two hours before being extinguished. The roof was damaged, but reported to not be in danger of collapse. The cause of the fire is still unknown. [6]

Current use

Hersheypark Arena is the home rink for the Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen Women's and Men's ice hockey teams. [7] LVC competes in NCAA Division III as of 2016, and previously competed in the ACHA. [8] In addition, the arena hosts the Hershey Junior Bears, a youth team sponsored by the Bears organization. On most weekends during the fall and winter months, the rink is open to the public for ice skating.[ citation needed ]

Annually, it hosts part of the Music in the Parks competition. [9]

In 2021 the Hershey Cubs of the USPHL Premier league began using the arena as home ice.

Notes and references

  1. Miller, Barbara (August 29, 2011). "'The old barn': Hersheypark Arena still draws crowds". PennLive. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  2. Cooper, Bruce C. (April 7, 2002). "1936-2002: HERSHEYPARK ARENA'S SIXTY-SIX YEARS AS HOME TO HERSHEY BEARS HOCKEY". HockeyScoop.net. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  3. Sennott, Stephen. Encyclopedia of 20th-century architecture: A-F. Volume 1 of Encyclopedia of 20th Century Architecture. Taylor & Francis, 2004. illustrated ed. ISBN   978-1-579-58433-7.
  4. Kemeny, Matthew (July 5, 2012). "Hersheypark Arena roof is on fire; firefighters have been battling blaze for hours". PennLive.com . Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  5. Hughes, Travis (July 5, 2012). "Hersheypark Arena Fire Contained By Firefighters, Damage Should Be 'Easy To Repair'". SB Nation . Retrieved November 30, 2019. Hersheypark Arena caught fire Thursday afternoon, reaching five-alarms before several fire crews were able to contain the blaze
  6. "Fire erupts at Hersheypark Arena, site of 100-point game". CBSPhilly 3 . Associated Press. July 5, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  7. "Hersheypark Arena".
  8. Viquez, Marc (6 December 2018). "Hersheypark Arena – Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchman". Stadium Journey. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  9. "Festival Dates: Hersheypark Arena". Music in the Parks.
Hershey Bears opening night, 1937 Hershey Sports Arena 1937 Bears hockey.jpg
Hershey Bears opening night, 1937
Aerial view Hershey Park Arena.jpg
Aerial view
Inside of hersheypark arena.jpg
Placard for wilt chamberlains 100 point game.jpg

http://www.hersheycubs.com

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hershey, Pennsylvania</span> Census-designated place in Pennsylvania, United States

Hershey is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is home to The Hershey Company, which was founded by candy magnate Milton S. Hershey, and Hersheypark, an amusement park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Hockey League</span> Ice hockey league in the United States and Canada

The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). As of the 2023–24 AHL season, 31 of the 32 AHL teams had an official affiliation with an NHL team; immediately following season's end, the Chicago Wolves and Carolina Hurricanes finalized an affiliation agreement, resulting in all AHL teams having an NHL affiliation for the upcoming 2024–25 season. Historically, when an NHL team does not have an AHL affiliate, its players are assigned to AHL teams affiliated with other NHL franchises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hersheypark</span> Theme park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Hersheypark is a family theme park in the eastern United States in Hershey, Pennsylvania, about fifteen miles (25 km) east of Harrisburg, and 95 miles (155 km) west of Philadelphia. The park was founded in 1906, by Milton S. Hershey as a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. It is wholly and privately owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. Hersheypark has won several awards, including the Applause Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hershey Bears</span> American Hockey League team in Hershey, Pennsylvania

The Hershey Bears are a professional ice hockey team based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a town located 14 miles east of the state capital of Harrisburg. The current Bears club has played in the American Hockey League since the 1938–39 season, making it the longest continuously operating member club of the league still playing in its original city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthews Arena</span> Multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts

Matthews Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the world's oldest multi-purpose athletic building still in use, as well as the oldest arena in use for ice hockey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maverik Center</span> Multi-purpose indoor arena in West Valley City, Utah, U.S.

The Maverik Center, originally known as the E Center, is a 12,600-seat multi-purpose indoor arena located in West Valley City, Utah, United States. Construction on the arena started in 1996 and was completed in time to hold its first event on September 22, 1997. The arena is owned by West Valley City, and managed by Centennial Management Group. During the 2002 Winter Olympics it served as the main venue for the ice hockey events, and as the venue for ice sledge hockey during the 2002 Winter Paralympics. Today the arena is home to the Utah Grizzlies along with the Salt Lake City Stars, and it is also a major venue in the area for numerous concerts and live touring productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Center</span> Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States

Giant Center is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is home to the Hershey Bears ice hockey team, the longest-existing member of the American Hockey League, operating since 1938. Giant Center replaced the Hersheypark Arena as the Bears' home venue in 2002.

Lebanon Valley College is a private college in Annville, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company</span> American entertainment company

Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company is a privately held corporation based in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Milton S. Hershey established HE&R in 1927 to distinguish and separate his chocolate manufacturing company from his other business ventures. All of his non-chocolate producing businesses were established as Hershey Estates, renamed HERCO, Inc. in 1976 and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hersheypark Stadium</span> Stadium located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA

Hersheypark Stadium is a stadium located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on the grounds of Hersheypark. It opened on May 18, 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wales National Ice Rink</span>

Wales National Ice Rink (WNIR) was an ice rink in Cardiff, Wales. It had a capacity of 2,700 for ice hockey and was the former home of the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team. It was opened in September 1986, and was inaugurated by Sarah, Duchess of York on 27 April 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitley Bay Ice Rink</span>

Whitley Bay Ice Rink is an ice rink located in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, England and is the home of the Whitley Warriors ice hockey team. An additional team played out of the ice rink, the Newcastle Vipers, who are now disbanded. It is one of two permanent public ice rinks in the north east of England. A ten-pin bowling centre in the area upstairs which was added in the 1960s was closed in 2007. This area is now home to a newly refurbished entertainment suite and conference facility.

Teams from 150 high schools competed as varsity ice hockey teams in Western and Eastern Pennsylvania. Unlike many other high school sport in Pennsylvania, hockey is not run under Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association umbrella. However, Pennsylvania's high school ice hockey is sanctioned by USA Hockey and varsity-level programs are marginally overseen by the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers organizations through the Penguins Cup and the Flyers Cup. However although it is considered a club it is still a part of the High School as a sport and is affiliated with the school. Some high schools with lower hockey participation may combine with other schools to have sufficient rosters. Most schools with a varsity ice hockey team also field a junior varsity team as well

The Hershey Entertainment Complex is a multi acre facility in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. It houses Hersheypark, Hersheypark Stadium, Star Pavilion, Hersheypark Arena, Giant Center, and the former Parkview Golf Course.

Lucy's Cafe was an Italian restaurant located in Hershey, Pennsylvania that was family-owned and operated for more than 75 years. The restaurant's meatballs were from a homemade recipe and were popular throughout the state; they were at one time sold at Hershey Bears hockey games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schenley Park Casino</span> Former multi-purpose arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US (1895–96)

The Schenley Park Casino was Pittsburgh’s first multi-purpose arena. The facility was considered the envy of the sports and entertainment world during the early 1890s, with amenities that were unsurpassed anywhere on the globe. It was built at the entrance to Schenley Park in Oakland near the Phipps Conservatory, the Schenley Bridge and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh’s Frick Fine Arts Building currently sits on the site of the casino. The casino was the first place in Pittsburgh where organized ice hockey was played. The arena's artificial ice surface was the first of its kind in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AHL Outdoor Classic</span> Ice hockey game

Teams in the American Hockey League first hosted games outdoors in 2010. Paralleling the National Hockey League's Winter Classic and Heritage Classic, these outdoor games frequently pit two regional rivals in a game in an outdoor venue. Inasmuch as the games have carried a unified brand, the most commonly used name for these events has been the Outdoor Classic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in New York's Capital District</span>

Sports in New York's Capital District are very popular, and there is a rich history of professional teams and college athletics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Hersheypark</span>

The history of Hersheypark begins with the founding of the town of Hershey in 1903. Milton Hershey, The owner of the Hershey Chocolate Company surveyed a nearby area of land, which was to become a leisure park for the employees of his chocolate company. People began visiting the grounds of the future park in 1904 and 1905, while the park's first pavilion was built in the fall of 1905. The park was formally opened on May 30, 1906, when it opened as Hershey Park. The park slowly added rides until 1923, when the first roller coaster, the Wild Cat, was built. From then on, rides were regularly added, except during World War II. The park was redeveloped into Hersheypark in 1970, through a multi-phase project. Since then, it has added ten roller coasters, expanded to over 110 acres, and features many other attractions including shows with sea lions, well-known acts including Weird Al Yankovic and Duff Goldman from Charm City Cakes in the Hersheypark Amphitheater, and a short-lived laser light show.

John B. Sollenberger (1897–1967) was an American sports and entertainment executive closely associated with Milton S. Hershey and the development of Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was born on a farm in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. At age 16 he enrolled in a stenographic school and became an exceptional stenographer. This led to his joining the Hershey Improvement Company about two years later, and to a long association with various Hershey enterprises.