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S teve Conn could barely move through the smatter- ing of people in the lobby of the Martire Family Arena. A more common sight for the winter sport seasons, but not so much during the month of July. Unless, of course, the Stanley Cup is making an appearance, due to Frank Martire being one of the minority own- ers of the 2023 Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights. The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications at Sacred Heart University took the opportunity to check in on how the community was embracing the brand-new, $70 million arena which opened in January 2023. "So many people would say things like, 'Boy I can't wait to come to a game.' Or 'How do I get tickets?'" Conn recalled. "That's the type of reaction we've been hearing and seeing from fans since last January when the building opened. We wanted this facility to be for the students. To give them a home on campus and to give them hockey on campus. But we also wanted it for the community. So to see the crowds for the Stanley Cup and to hear their excitement to come watch their local collegiate hockey team play this year, that's always incredible to hear." History and a 'Wow' Factor Sacred Heart University is a private, Roman Catholic university, nestled in Fairfield, 20 / NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2023 USICERINKS.COM Featured Rink Martire Family Arena | | Fairfield, Conn. Sacred Heart University's new $70 million Martire Family Arena is building excitement in southern Connecticut by JESSI PIERCE PUMPED PUMPED UP UP PHOTOS: TRACY DEER-MIREK