S/L/A/M Redesigning Sacred Heart’s Athletic Center

By Eric Althoff

FAIRFIELD, Ct.—Architectural firm S/L/A/M Collaborative has been hired by Sacred Heart University to reimagine the campus’s multipurpose William Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center for a new era. S/L/A/M’s design entails rotating the athletic court 90 degrees and bringing the spectator bleachers closer to the gameplay. The reconfigurations will also create more practice rooms for SHU’s teams as well as add a VIP seating section, new video screens and modern light and sound systems.

The redesign aligns with changes the school is making after SHU moved from the Northeast Conference to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). S/L/A/M Collaborative aims to complete the renovations in time for next year’s basketball season.

“We’re excited to see the Pitt Center evolve and become a premiere sporting arena,” said SHU President John J. Petillo. “We are committed, more than ever, to providing our student-athletes with a competitive environment. Renovating the Pitt Center with state-of-the-art features is part of that process. It’s important we show our Pioneers we are dedicated to their success.”

Added Judy Ann Riccio, SHU’s director of athletics: “We can’t wait to see the Pitt Center transform into a dynamic athletic facility. This transformation along with a conference transition means more opportunities for our student-athletes to thrive.”

No general contractor has yet been announced for the project.