Robert Morris unveils UPMC Events Center, featuring 4,000-seat arena

Kevin Gorman | Friday, May 3, 2019 2:14 p.m.

Kevin Gorman | Tribune-Review

Robert Morris unveiled the UPMC Events Center on Friday.

Robert Morris unveiled UPMC Events Center on Friday, and the Colonials called it a “game changer” for their athletic programs, campus and community.

The centerpiece of the 161,000 square-foot center is Peoples Court, the 4,000-seat arena for RMU men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball programs.

Touring UPMC Events Center at Robert Morris University, the new 4,000-seat home of the Colonials for basketball and volleyball. pic.twitter.com/HC2mUosCal

— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) May 3, 2019

The arena is decorated in RMU’s red and blue, with sections in the 100-level seating color-coded to form American flags. It features an LED video scoreboard that hangs over the court, an adjoining practice facility and locker rooms that connect to medical room, treadmill pool, hot tub and weight rooms.

“It’s something that every coaching staff in the country would love the opportunity to have,” Colonials men’s basketball coach Andy Toole said. “I think you’ll be incredibly impressed.”

RMU will play its first basketball game at the new arena against Pitt on Nov. 12.

From the front-facing view of the logo, finally noticed the American flag color-seating scheme in the 100 level seating at UPMC Events Center @RMU.Nice touch. Betsy Ross approves. pic.twitter.com/ah0GC4VE1A

— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) May 3, 2019

“I’ve seen so much change at this university,” Colonials women’s basketball coach Charlie Buscaglia said, “and coming onto campus and seeing this is a big statement to where this university has gone and to where it is going.”

I can truly say I was a part of history in the making now that is a legacy https://t.co/NigQ37J7YO

— Jeremy Chappell (@choppa2109) May 2, 2019

RMU, which hosted a tour of the facility Friday, will host its first university event with commencement ceremonies May 10-11. Evanescence, the first of six scheduled concerts, will perform May 12 at UPMC Events Center.

It also features a 5,000-square foot conference center that seats 535 or can can be divided into five rooms.

“Probably the most exciting thing about this experience,” RMU president Chris Howard said, “is to see the looks in the eyes and the faces of the faculty, staff, students and alumni as they come into this space and think, ‘Wow, here on our campus, they built this. Here at RMU, we did something extraordinary that people didn’t think we could do.’ They’re very proud of the building.”